Feasting on scrumptious Tilapia from Batang Ai hydro– dam
LUBOK ANTU: A must-try delicacy for travellers calling at this town is the steamed Red Tilapia.
The reddish freshwater fish are plentiful at Batang Ai where they are mostly reared in submerged cages in Batang Ai hydroelectricity dam/lake.
Once it reaches 800g to one kilogramme in weight, it can command a market price of RM8 to RM10 per kilogramme – even less if you buy in larger quantity.
The meaty swimmer with little bones is a favourite freshwater fish among diners in restaurants across the state, where they either serve it whole or as fi llets, steamed or deep-fried.
A restaurant here recommends steaming it with lots of fresh ginger, salted vegetables, cut chillies, sliced dried Chinese mushrooms and tomatoes, garnished with spring onions and a few dashes of Chinese wine.
The Tilapia from Lubok Antu has made a name for itself after the completion of the Batang Ai hydro- dam, as the lake has been used for commercial aquaculture since the late 80s.
It is common for diners ordering Tilapia to ask if it comes from Lubok Antu.
Here, BAT7 met local Chinese community leader Pemanca Chua Kee Long who not only took the team for tours around town and the surrounding areas, but also brought them to a local eatery named 88 Cafe for lunch where Tilapia was the main dish.
The succulent flesh of the fish that comes from the Batang Ai hydro- dam indeed made for a scrumptious meal.
Lubok Antu is a border town 86 km – or a one-hour-20-minute drive – from Sri Aman town.
“Before this, Lubok Antu was popular for dried smoked fish known as ‘Salai Lajong’ brought by traders and locals from the neighbouring Indonesia,” recalled shop owner Tay Cho Ming, adding that now the dried fi sh is highly sought after at the roadside town of Lachau in Sri Aman.
“A packet of three to four pieces of dried Lajong fish costs RM10 – it can fetch up to RM100 per kilogramme when not in season,” he said.
Lajong is a local catfish plentiful in the Kapuas River in West Kalimantan, Indonesia during the dry season.
Tay also highlighted another popular fish that is also a local favourite – the salted ‘ Sultan Fish, also known as ‘ Mad Barb’, ‘ Hoven’s Carp’, or ‘Jelawat’ in Malay – selling at RM15 per fi sh weighing about 800g.
There are plenty of crafts including handwoven products as well as traditional Iban clothing and accessories in town should visitors feel the need to buy a souvenir or two.