Otak-otak is a Malaysian snack that ranks high on my “Favourite foods of Malaysia” list. It is essentially a blended paste of fish and/or prawns mixed with coconut milk, spices and chilli, wrapped up in a banana leaf and then steamed or grilled to cook it and bring out its glorious flavour.
I love mine grilled. You don’t see this everywhere. In most places they are steamed to cook. I believe that in Penang, they are wrapped up in banana leaf like a pyramid and then steamed. You can find a similar style in Thailand too. I’m not a fan of those or of those that have too much coconut milk. The ones I go for are slivers of delightful morsels, folded in coconut leaves, then grilled over an open fire to perfection.