satay

American  

[sah-tey] / sɑˈteɪ /

Or saté,

noun

1. a Southeast Asian, especially Indonesian and Malaysian, dish of marinated, bite-size pieces of meat, skewered, barbecued, and usually served with a peanut-flavored dipping sauce.

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satay British  

/ ˈsæteɪ /

noun

1. barbecued spiced meat cooked on skewers usually made from the stems of coconut leaves

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Etymology

Origin of satay

First recorded in 1930–35, satay is from the Malay word satay, sate

Explanation

Satay is a Southeast Asian skewered meat dish. If you order satay in a restaurant, it usually comes with a peanut dipping sauce. Satay comes from Indonesia, but it's also very common in countries including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Pieces of seasoned chicken, goat, other meats, or tofu are skewered and grilled over a fire and served with a sauce. Satay is a popular street food all over Southeast Asia. The word satay is from the Malay or Javanese satai and a Tamil root word meaning "flesh or meat."

Example Sentences

Galaxy Gas, a major manufacturer, even offers recipes for dishes, including Chicken Satay with Peanut Chili Foam and Watermelon Gazpacho on their website.

From BBC • May 27, 2025

Alex Winnicki, co-owner of Satay Brothers, a popular Asian street-food restaurant, said that the bill’s regulations would hamper small businesses already buffeted by the pandemic.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2021

Seetoh headed straight to Kwong Satay, where he gave owner Sim Peng Kuen, who brandished a Manchester United jersey, a familiar hand slap and asked for pork and chicken satay.

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2019

Kwong Satay, unlike most quick-serve stalls, provides buzzers that alert you when your food is ready.

From Washington Post • Sep. 26, 2019

Mala & Satay does pho, banh mis and vermicelli bowls and other Vietnamese comfort food on the ground floor of a new mixed-used development along Fairview Avenue North.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2019