otak

Otak is a word used in Malay and Indonesian to mean the brain, the organ at the center of the nervous system. In everyday language it appears in anatomical contexts as well as in expressions related to thinking and intelligence. The term is deeply rooted in Austronesian language traditions and is widely understood across Malay-speaking communities.

Otak-otak refers to a traditional Southeast Asian dish made from seasoned fish paste. The paste is usually mixed with coconut milk, onions, garlic, chili, and other spices, and sometimes a binding agent such as tapioca. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves (or sometimes pandan leaves) and grilled over charcoal or steamed until set. Otak-otak is especially associated with coastal regions of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, where regional variations exist in ingredients and spice levels. It is commonly sold as street food or as a snack and is often served with chili sauce or a soy-based dip.

In addition to its culinary meaning, the standalone word otak is distinct from similar-looking terms in other languages; for example, the Japanese loanword otaku denotes a subculture of enthusiastic fans and is unrelated to the Malay/Indonesian word for brain. This reflects how similar spellings can connect to very different cultural concepts across languages.