Aswin N.
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"Se'i" is a word commonly used in East Nusa Tenggara refer to smoked meat dishes.
This dish originally came from Rote-Ndao, then spread widely to various regions in East Nusa Tenggara even Indonesia.
The meat-used was once pork, but considering that Indonesia is a country with majority Muslim population, in some areas has acculturated by replacing the meat with beef and goat meat.
The smoking-method was once done traditionally using a stone/clay stove combusted by kesambi firewood, but along with the development in Indonesia, in some areas it has adapted by doing it in modern way using metal stove combusted by gas/electricity.
Se'i is generally served with:
-"rumpu rampe" which generally made from the mixture of cassava leaves, papaya leaves, papaya flowers, young papaya fruit, moringa leaves, and banana blossom;
-"sambal luat" which generally made from chilies, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, basil leaves, spring onions, and lime.
Speaking of se'i, Warung Se'i Babi Om Ba'i is the pioneer. This restaurant is called to be the first restaurant which serves se'i publicly since 1997. Located around Baun about 25 km / 45 minutes drive from Kupang the capital city of East Nusa Tenggara. Still preserving its original meat-used and smoking-method, Se'i Babi Om Ba'i now has always been recommended restaurant to anyone who want to taste how legendary se'i is, especially when they are visiting East Nusa Tenggara.