Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Otak-Otak / Otah

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Best Of Singapore Hawkers & Casual Dining: Otak-Otak / Otah

Otak-Otak / Otah
Otak-Otak / Otah



Nothing was sponsored, we visited as regular paying customers. Photos in this post were taken between 2000 and 2026 (across 26 years!), as such, the quality of photos varies drastically due to advances in camera technology. Mobile smartphones were in their infancy and had yet to become widespread.


Also Known As:
Otak-Otak, Otah, Otar, Pepes, Hor Mok, Spiced Fish Paste


Average Price Per Serving:
SGD $0.50 - $3








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Description:
The Otak-Otak is a Singaporean Malay dish, featuring spiced fish paste grilled or barbecued in a banana leaf. Also known as Otah, Otar, Pepes, Hor Mok, or Spiced Fish Paste, the Otak-Otak dish is usually priced around SGD $0.50 to $3 per piece. Usually served as a side dish, the Otak-Otak / Otah may also serve as an ingredient for a main dish, and is commonly eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper.

The base ingredient used to make Otak-Otak / Otah is finely minced fish meat. A firm flesh fish is commonly used, such as mackerel fish or snapper fish. Variations incorporating seafood into the minced fish meat include squid, prawns / shrimp, or crab. Separately, a rempah / spice paste is prepared, comprising a blend of shallots, fresh red chili, dried red chili, turmeric, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, salt, white sugar, coconut milk or coconut cream, a binder (rice flour, corn flour, or tapioca starch), and lemongrass. Optionally, whisked chicken egg or belacan / fermented shrimp paste may be added. The rempah / spice paste is fried, then blended with the minced fish meat to form a thick paste.

The Otak-Otak / Otah paste is then spread in steamed banana leaf pockets, secured with wooden toothpicks, and barbecued or grilled. The Otak-Otak / Otah is long and thin in shape, with a bouncy springy soft chew to texture, carrying robust smoky fishy savoury salty spice flavour. Often sold in sets of 10 pieces, the Otak-Otak / Otah serves well as a snack, a side dish for a meal, or an ingredient upon which to build a main dish.

The most common variation of Otak-Otak / Otah is the Muar style rendition. The difference is in the shape, rectangular and thick, though it has the same bouncy springy soft texture. The fish meat is also more pronounced here, though the taste remains largely similar with robust smoky fishy savoury salty spice flavour.


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1. Hiang Soon (Otar) Food Catering
@ 261 Jalan Kayu
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 8am – 6pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2012


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $0.90 per piece) @ Hiang Soon (Otar) Food Catering.

Established in April 1991 and operated by the Poh Family to date, this humble takeaway store is also known as Jalan Kayu Otar.

Celebrated for their authentic handmade otak-otak / otah made from scratch daily using fresh mackerel fish blended with a fragrant mix of herbs and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled on the spot.

Has chunky bouncy springy soft texture with fishy savoury salty herbal spice flavour, yum.





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2. Hougang Otah
@ Fernvale Riverwalk, 417 Fernvale Link #01-01
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 9am – 9pm, Closed Mon

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $0.80, $1.50 per piece) @ Hougang Otah.

Established in June 1995 by Mister Yeo Loo Hock and Madam Ng Chew Hong, this halal-certified chain brand has expanded across several heartlands in Singapore.

Their rendition features a blend of spiced mackerel fish paste, with premium versions incorporating squid or prawns / shrimp.

Has dense firm chewy texture, with fishy salty spice sweet herbal flavour. They also offer non-spicy renditions.





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3. Lee Wee & Brothers
@ Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road #B1-K08
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 9pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $0.50 per piece) @ Lee Wee & Brothers.

Established in April 2000 by brothers Lee Wee, Ben Lee, and Mark Lee (along with Mark's wife Angeline Tan), this heritage brand uses traditional recipes passed down from matriarch Madam Mary Teo.

Their rendition features a blend of roughly chopped Spanish mackerel fish, lemongrass stems, and other secret herbs and spices, including red chili. Portioned into fresh coconut leaves and grilled.

Has tender bouncy springy bite to texture, with smoky fishy savoury salty herbal spice flavour.





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4. Molly's Nonya Kuehs
@ 104 Hougang Avenue 1 #01-1121
Opening Hours: Tue - Fri 6am – 7:30pm, Sat - Mon 6am – 5pm

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $0.50 per piece) @ Molly's Nonya Kuehs.

Established in 1971 by wife-husband team of Molly and Ah Joo and now operated by 2nd-generation owner (and their son) Bernard Tay, this Peranakan brand is known for their authentic recipes.

Their rendition features a blend of fresh mackerel fish and their signature Loom Par chili paste, wrapped in coconut leaves and charcoal-grilled.

Each bite carries smoky fishy savoury sweet herbal spice flavour, with a tender soft texture. Premium versions incorporate squid or prawns / shrimp.





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5. Tan Beng Otah Delights
@ Old Airport Road Food Centre, 51 Old Airport Road #01-74
Opening Hours: Sat - Wed 8am – 4pm, Closed Thu - Fri

Taken in 2012


Taken in 2012


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $0.70 per piece) @ Tan Beng Otah Delights.

Established in April 2001 by couple Mister Tan Beng and Madam Tee Ai Geok, this humble stall offers traditional mackerel fish paste blended with their signature spices.

One of the few remaining purveyors in Singapore that meticulously shapes, wraps, and grills its otak-otak / otah by hand over open charcoal fire.

Has soft tender almost-creamy texture that comes apart easily, with robust smoky fishy savoury salty spice flavour. Beautiful.





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- Lai Heng Fried Kway Teow – Permanently Closed
@ Sembawang Hills Food Centre, 590 Upper Thomson Road #01-15

Taken in 2011






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6. Nam San Mackerel Otah
@ Gourmet East Kitchen, 3017 Bedok North Street 5 #02-29
Opening Hours: Daily 7am – 7pm

Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Taken in 2026


Otak-Otak / Otah (SGD $2.90 per piece) @ Nam San Mackerel Otah.

Established in July 1999, this humble stall has expanded to become an otak-otak / otah supplier to various stalls across Singapore.

Their rendition is large, and features a blend of spiced mackerel fish paste enhanced with lemongrass and coconut milk, grilled within banana leaves.

Carries soft and tender textures, with mild smoky fishy savoury salty herbal spice flavour. The heat lingers slightly on the palate.





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