Se'i


Se'i or sei is an Indonesian smoked meat from Kupang, Timor island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Se'i may be derived from a variety of meats, with pork, beef or game animals such as venison as common offerings. Today, the most popular se'i meat is pork.
Se'i uses thin, sliced cuts of meat utilizing a mixture of salt and spices and smoked. Texturally, it is comparable to bacon, albeit thicker. This dish is easily found in restaurants and warung in the Timor region. In Kupang, people serve se'i with nasi panas, accompanied with sambal lu'at and jagung bose.

Etymology

The name of Se'i derives from the local language that mean "smoked meat".

History

This dish is traditionally served and consumed by the people of East Nusa Tenggara province, especially by Timorese people. In the dry climate of Timor island, the traditional smoking method is employed to preserve meats and to increase the nutritional and economic value of the meats. Se'i has been historically made from Timorese deer, but this practice has ceased due to a decline in population and its consecutive endangered status.
Beef and pork are largely the main ingredients of Se'i, and are the preferred meat choices for both locals and tourists. The number of restaurants serving se'i that has appeared outside of East Nusa Tenggara, such as in Jakarta and Bali, has also contributed to its popularity.