Sambal goreng, which translates to "fried sambal," is a term used in Indonesian cuisine that can refer to a variety of spicy, fried dishes made with sambal.
As a dish, sambal goreng can range from vegetables, meat, to tofu or tempeh, all cooked with a spicy mixture of ground chilies, shallots, garlic, and often includes shrimp paste (terasi), along with other ingredients like tomato, tamarind for sourness, and palm sugar for a hint of sweetness.
VARIATIONS OF Sambal goreng
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Tempe goreng is an Indonesian fried tempeh dish, known for its crispy texture, rich umami flavor, and aromatic spices.
A staple in Javanese and Sundanese cuisine, it is made from tempeh, a fermented soybean cake that is deeply rooted in Indonesian food culture. Unlike tofu, which has a soft and spongy texture, tempeh is firm, chewy, and packed with a natural nutty taste, making it an ideal ingredient for frying.
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Sambal kangkong is a traditional vegetable dish originating from Malaysia. The dish is usually made with a combination of water spinach (kangkong) and sambal chili paste that consists of hot peppers, garlic, shallots, salt, oil, and dried shrimps.
The sambal chili paste is fried in a wok in vegetable oil until fragrant. The water spinach is chopped and stir-fried in the same wok until wilted. The dish is seasoned with salt, and it’s then served immediately, while still hot.
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Ayam geprek is a popular Indonesian fried chicken dish that combines the crispiness of battered fried chicken with the bold, fiery punch of raw sambal (chili sauce). The name comes from the Javanese word geprek, which means “to smash”—a reference to how the freshly fried chicken is crushed or pressed together with sambal, blending the crispy skin and tender meat with the chili’s heat and aroma.
Originating in Central Java, ayam geprek rose to national fame in recent years, thanks to its simple yet addictive combination of textures and flavors. It begins with chicken pieces (often boneless breast or thigh) that are marinated, coated in spiced flour batter, and deep-fried until golden and crunchy, similar in style to American fried chicken.
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Telur balado is a popular Indonesian dish that consists of hard-boiled eggs in a spicy chilli sauce. The hard-boiled eggs are fried until the outer layer becomes slightly crispy, and are then coated or served with a spicy sauce made from a blend of ground red chilies, shallots or onions, garlic, tomato, tamarind, sugar, and salt, with the addition of lime leaves or lemongrass for extra aroma.
The dish can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, often accompanied by steamed rice and other Indonesian dishes.
Dendeng balado is a traditional meat dish originating from Padang. The dish is made with a combination of thinly sliced beef that's fried until crispy and a spicy chili sambal. The sambal is usually served on top of the meat. The beef is typically fried in the mix of reduced shallots, garlic, ginger, sugar, water, oil, and salt.
The balado sambal consists of chili peppers, shallots, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and water, all mashed into a rough paste. When served, dendeng balado is often accompanied by white rice on the side.
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Ikan goreng, translated to "fried fish" in English, is a dish originating from Indonesia. The preparation starts with marinating the fish in a mixture of spices and herbs, typically turmeric, garlic, shallots, tamarind, and sometimes even kacep manis, then deep-frying it until golden brown and crispy.
There are different versions of ikan goreng in different regions of Indonesia, and the type of fish used can vary widely, ranging from smaller fish like anchovies to larger fish like mackerel, snapper, and tuna. It's often served with rice and various side dishes such as sambal, fresh vegetables, tempeh, and tofu.
This Singaporean and Malaysian classic dish couples grilled stingray and spicy sambal paste—the chili pepper-based sauce that may incorporate various other elements such as lime juice, shrimp paste, ginger, vinegar, or sugar. The thin stingray fillets are usually coated with sambal and are then grilled and served on a banana leaf.
The whole dish is traditionally accompanied by lime wedges, onions, or sliced chili peppers, and there is also a special dipping sauce on the side. Apart from Singapore, the dish is also enjoyed in Malaysia where it is known as ikan pari bakar.
MOST ICONIC Sambal Stingray
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Sambal kacang is an Indonesian peanut-based chili sauce, commonly used as a dipping sauce or dressing for dishes like satay, gado-gado, ketoprak, and nasi uduk. It has a rich, nutty flavor with a balance of spiciness, sweetness, and umami, making it one of the most beloved sambals in Indonesian cuisine.
Unlike regular chili-based sambals, sambal kacang is made with roasted peanuts blended with chilies, garlic, palm sugar, tamarind, and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), creating a thick, creamy, and slightly spicy sauce. Some variations may include coconut milk for extra richness or lime juice for a tangy kick.
Udang balado is a traditional dish consisting of peeled or unpeeled shrimps that are stir-fried in a combination of cooking oil and spicy sambal sauce. The dish is often enriched with the addition of lemongrass, quail eggs, tofu, potatoes, or green beans.
As almost all balado dishes, this one is also very hot and fiery. When served, udang balado is often garnished with chopped scallions and accompanied by steamed rice. The dish is also known as sambal goreng udang.
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