College is a place to inspire minds. And sometimes backpacking through Asia during those years is even more inspiring.

That's the case for Peter Ringold and Patrick Mc-

Credie, two former students at Occidental College in Los Angeles and the owners of Satay in Wallingford.

In 2008, Ringold was studying in Thailand. Mc-

Credie met up with him, and they backpacked through Southeast Asia. During their adventure, they fell in love with the street food. When they returned, they decided to open their own Malaysian-inspired street-food restaurant.

Ringold, who hails from Phinney Ridge, has an aunt from Kuala Lumpur. She helped the two entrepreneurs develop their recipes.

"She didn't have any recipes; she'd just pull it from her hands," McCredie said. "Over the course of time, we figured them out. The biggest thing was making sure the ratios are right. It was kind of a trial by fire."

But all the hard work paid off, and when their doors opened last December, authentic Malaysian food started filling Seattle's streets.

The menu: Despite their limited menu (just 10 items are listed on the chalkboard behind the register), what they're known for is also their namesake. Their satay is traditionally served as a side dish, but here you get three skewers of meat — with your choice of chicken, beef, lamb or tofu — along with a side of rice, a salad that resembles an Asian- inspired coleslaw and peanut sauce for dipping.

What to write home about: The second biggest-seller on the menu is curry puff — a Malaysian version of a samosa, made with potatoes, carrots and curry.

The setting: The restaurant has limited seating, mostly bar stools that surround the kitchen and a few tables, so don't be afraid to get it to go and eat it on the street.

Summing up: A chicken ($7.95) and lamb ($10.95) satay, mee goreng (noodle dish that is similar to pho, $7.95) and a curry puff ($2.95) came to $32 plus tip and fed three people.

Jon Fisch: 206-464-8326 or jfisch@seattletimes.com