It was established in 1970 by one Pak Jali, who initially sold his satay on the roadside right next to Sarinah. Once his skewered delights became immensely popular, he decided to relocate to a more accommodating place. In 1975, he opened the warung Sate Lamongan Jaya Agung at the same location where it is still standing to this day.

(Read also: Introducing 'sate taichan,' Jakarta's popular spicy satay dish)

Finding the joint is a piece of cake. Besides its strategic position at the point where Jl. Wahid Hasyim and Jl. Sabang meet, you can spot Sate Lamongan Jaya from the throng of customers crowding it and the cloud of smoke that emanates from its satay grill even from afar. Its swift preparation time – regardless of the number of customers present – has to be given a thumbs up.

The deliciousness of each skewer of its much-celebrated sate kambing (mutton satay) and sate ayam (chicken satay) is unquestionable. The unbelievable tenderness of both its mutton and chicken meat raises the question about whether some form of magical process is applied to them prior to grilling. The provided peanut sauce lends a balanced combination of sweet and savory to one’s palate. No wonder this warung is packed to the rafters with its ardent enthusiasts on a daily basis.

We came away from our short visit greatly impressed. Buoyed by the deliciousness of its satay, we ended up sampling a number of its other dishes on offer. One item of food that was met with a unanimous nod of agreement by the whole team because of its delectable taste was the gulai kambing (mutton curry). Its savory sauce was not too concentrated yet combined excellently with the tender cuts of mutton meat, while unlike most mutton dishes, no pungent odor was present. Add to the mix a dash of lime juice, a pinch of salt and a spoonful of sambal and this simple soup will transform into a bowlful of heaven. (kes)

Jl. Wahid Hasyim No. 56C, Central Jakarta

Open daily from 10 a.m.-  2 a.m.

Rp 40,000 (US$3) per person

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