Umai

Umai is Sarawak's answer to sushi. It's essentially a spicy seafood salad, made using raw fish or prawns. This dish has its origins in the Melanau culture, an ethnic tribe here in Malaysia. The Melanau people pride themselves to be fishermen, and umai is their staple food.

These days. this traditional delicacy is not confined only to the Melanaus. Folks all over Sarawak enjoy a good serving of umai.

Umai requires no cooking. All that is done is to marinate raw fish slices in a concoction of fresh chillies, calamansi lime juice, shallots, ginger and salt. The fish is generally marinated till it turns white or opaque.

Umai

I love umai! The flavours from the few ingredients are just do wonders to the fish! As a result, the freshness of the fish is enhance by its zesty, tangy, spicy and pungent accompaniments. It tickles the palate, and whets up your appetite. A very light, refreshing and appetising dish indeed. Do try Umai when you get the opportunity. I am confident that you'll like it too!