sambal

American  

[sahm-bahl] / ˈsɑm bɑl /

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.

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Etymology

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 bear ¹)

Example Sentences

The company also makes a chili-garlic sauce and a ground chili paste called sambal oelek, both of which will also be affected by the production halt, USA Today reported.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2024

Mr. Mousa’s red sauce of choice, a spicy sambal, costs $23 a gallon, up from $11.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2024

Optional garnish: Thinly sliced scallions OR chopped fresh cilantro OR lime wedges OR sambal OR a combination.

From Washington Times • Oct. 27, 2023

Brimming with bright allium and capsaicin flavors, the sambal chili shredded roast chicken is served over a mound of rice with green beans, snappy kimchi and fried shallots.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2023

He ate without stopping, mopping up the last of the sambal from the banana leaf with the roti.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook