sambal

[ sahm-bahl ]

noun

1. a condiment or side dish of Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern India, made with any of various ingredients, as vegetables, fish, or coconut, usually seasoned with chile peppers and spices and served with rice and curries.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sambal¹

First recorded in 1815–20; from Malay, from Tamil campāl “kind of relish, condiment,” akin to campāram “ingredients for curry,” Telugu sambhāram ”preparation of spices for seasoning,” Marathi sā̃bhar “seasoning for dal,” all ultimately reflecting Prakrit saṃbhārei “(he) garnishes,” Sanskrit saṃbhārayati “(he) causes to be brought together,” derivative with sam- “with, together” ( syn- ) and bhṛ- “to bring, carry, bear” ( bear ¹ )

Example Sentences

Hot sauce lovers will have to go without new bottles for months, including Sriracha, Chili Garlic, and Sambal Oelek.

From Quartz

Chef James Wozniuk of Makan is overseeing the menu of snacks like shrimp chips and larger plates like spicy fried chicken with sambal.

From Washington Blade

Sambal, a category of condiments centered on chiles, is a key seasoning element.

From Washington Post

Lee says that whenever she eats it, especially when it’s served with her grandmother’s peanut sambal, she is “transported to Indonesia” with every bite.

From Washington Post

Drizzle some of the sambal over the skewers and serve with acar, additional sambal, and rice on the side, if desired.

From Washington Post

He's a very versatile cook, as much at home with sambal olek as he is with good old British nursery puddings.

From The Daily Beast

But the spicy peanut sauce, also known as sambal kacang, reminds you that this is food for adults.

From The Daily Beast

I crossed the river at Sambal, and stopped near the village Gounde, where I procured relay horses.

From Project Gutenberg