sambal

[ sahm-bahl ]

/ ˈsɑm bɑl /

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noun

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.

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Origin of sambal

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” (see syn-) and bhṛ- “to bring, carry, bear” (see bear¹)

Words nearby sambal

Samarkand, Samarra, samarskite, Sama-Veda, samba, sambal, sambar, sambo, Sambre, Sam Browne belt, sambuca

How to use sambal in a sentence

Chef James Wozniuk of Makan is overseeing the menu of snacks like shrimp chips and larger plates like spicy fried chicken with sambal.
Seven new restaurants to try this fall|Evan Caplan|September 16, 2021|Washington Blade
As the name of the book suggests, both coconut — in many forms — and sambal are central to the Indonesian table.
Indonesian sate skewers with peanut sambal are spicy, sour, sweet and salty, all at once|Daniela Galarza|September 9, 2021|Washington Post
Drizzle some of the sambal over the skewers and serve with acar, additional sambal, and rice on the side, if desired.
Indonesian sate skewers with peanut sambal are spicy, sour, sweet and salty, all at once|Daniela Galarza|September 9, 2021|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.
Indonesian sate skewers with peanut sambal are spicy, sour, sweet and salty, all at once|Daniela Galarza|September 9, 2021|Washington Post

He's a very versatile cook, as much at home with sambal olek as he is with good old British nursery puddings.
Fresh Picks|Melissa Clark|September 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But the spicy peanut sauce, also known as sambal kacang, reminds you that this is food for adults.
What to Eat: Southeast-Asian Menu|Cookstr.com|January 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I crossed the river at Sambal, and stopped near the village Gounde, where I procured relay horses.
The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ|Nicolas Notovitch