Satti is one of the city’s most popular delicacies. It is reminiscent of the Malaysian and Indonesian Satay that comprise of skewered meat (usually beef, chicken, and chicken liver) grilled and eaten with a variation of dips. The Satti found in Zamboanga is unique, however, because the meat is served with sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaves in a bowl full of flavorful, spicy, orange sauce.

I remember my first encounter with the dish when I was in grade school. During recess, one of my classmates dared me to order Satti. At first, I was a little hesitant to try it because I wasn’t so fond of spicy food then. My friend was able to convince me to try it, though, and together, we braved eating the spicy dish. Even though our heads steamed and our tongues burned as we spooned mouthfuls of rice, meat, and sauce, we loved the dish. Since then, I included Satti in my repertoire of favorite meals.

Even people who are not natives of city have grown to love Satti. One of my friends who stayed in the city for two years became its instant fan. His mornings in Zamboanga were defined by a trip to a nearby carinderia (small eatery) for his Satti breakfast. Now that he’s in Manila, he’d always accompany my sojourns back home for the school holidays with requests that I bring him Satti when I return.

One of the reasons native and tourist alike cannot help but love Satti is because it is the perfect example of when spicy is heavenly. Who can resist the warmth of Satti during cold and rainy days? Who can resist its perfect mix of textures (from the viscous sauce to the soft meat) and flavors (from the bland rice to the rich sauce)? Who would mind sweating a little in exchange of a full and satisfying meal?

This particular dish has in fact become so much a part of the lives of Zamboangeños that eating it has become a rite of passage.   No one can truly call himself or herself a Zamboangeño or claim that he or she has been to Zamboanga unless he or she has tried Satti at least once.

Therefore, it is highly recommended for those who plan to visit Zamboanga some time in the future to grab a bite of Satti while in the city. Nowhere else in the Philippines (except maybe for the nearby towns of Basilan and Sulu) can a similar dish be found. A trip to Zamboanga would not be complete without taking part in the Satti experience.