Sambal 101: A Guide to Indonesian Chilli Sauces
Omega Mart Team
Lead author at Rolly.
Sambal terasi, bawang, ijo, teri and more. What each style tastes like, what to eat it with, and which jars to try first.
Sambal is Indonesia's chilli condiment. Every region, and nearly every family, has its own version. That's a lot of jars to choose from, so here are the styles you'll see most often on our shelves and what to eat them with.
Reading the label
- Pedas means spicy. Extra pedas means extra spicy.
- Mild or original is the gentler option.
- Some brands use heat levels instead. Naknan, for example, sells Level 3 and Level 5.
Sambal terasi
Chilli ground with terasi (fermented shrimp paste). It's savoury, deep and a little funky. It's the classic partner for fried chicken, fried fish and lalapan (raw vegetables with rice).
Want to make your own? Start with Mama Suka Terasi Udang.
Sambal bawang
Chilli cooked with shallots (bawang merah) or garlic (bawang putih) in oil. It's sweeter and more aromatic than sambal terasi, and it's great spooned over eggs, noodles or plain rice.
- Hellyeah Sambal Bawang Merah (shallot)
- Hellyeah Sambal Bawang Putih 170g (garlic)
- Hj Lina Sambal Bawang Extra Pedas 135g
- Finna Uleg Sambal Bawang 190g
Sambal ijo
Green chilli sambal from Padang cooking. It's tangy and fresh, and often milder than red sambal. Try it with grilled chicken, eggs or fried tempeh.
Sambal with anchovy or salted fish
These are closer to a side dish than a sauce. A spoonful with hot rice makes a meal.
- Finna Uleg Sambal Teri 175g (anchovy)
- Hellyeah Sambal Ikan Asin 170g (salted fish)
Bottled sambal
Smooth and pourable. Use it the way you'd use tomato sauce: for dipping, on fries, in noodles or in fried rice.
- ABC Sambal Asli 335ml
- ABC Sambal Extra Pedas 335ml
- ABC Sambal Ayam Goreng 335ml, made for fried chicken
Made for one dish
- Bakso (meatball soup): Cap Ibu Sambal Bakso or Megah Sari Sambal Bakso Extra Pedas
- Ayam geprek (smashed fried chicken): Cap Ibu Sambal Geprek
- Rendang flavour: Finna Uleg Sambal Rendang sachets
- Citrus kick: Hellyeah Sambal Jeruk Limo, made with limau (a small Indonesian lime)
Quick pairings
| Eating | Reach for |
|---|---|
| Fried chicken or fish | Sambal terasi or ABC Sambal Ayam Goreng |
| Fried rice, noodles, eggs | Sambal bawang |
| Grilled chicken, tempeh | Sambal ijo |
| Plain rice, nothing else in the fridge | Sambal teri or sambal ikan asin |
| Meatball soup | Sambal bakso |
Storing sambal
Most jars and bottles need to go in the fridge after opening. Check the label. Use a clean, dry spoon each time so the jar lasts.
Building a full Indonesian pantry? Read our shopper's guide to Omega Mart.
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