Comparing Sate Lilit across three restaurants — an honest verdict

I ate Sate Lilit at three different restaurants in the same week to compare. The results were illuminating. The use of candlenut varied significantly — only one got it right. The complex from slow-cooked rendang profile should be consistent but interpretation differs widely.

rendang from West Sumatra is consistently voted one of the world's most delicious dishes. The best version came from a Padang restaurant with displayed dishes, which felt authentic. Bintang beer was offered at all three but only one knew how to serve it properly. The gap between mediocre and excellent Sate Lilit is larger than you'd think.