08/06/2026
Malaysia has more than 20 sambals. Most people meet 3.
A few Malaysian flavours most KL people still haven’t tried. Cincalok, fermented baby shrimp from Melaka, usually mixed with lime, chilli, and shallots before eating with rice.
Tempoyak, fermented durian, often turned into a rich sambal in Pahang and commonly paired with patin fish. Budu from Kelantan and Terengganu, an anchovy sauce fermented for months in clay jars. The stronger the smell, the better the batch.
Sambal pengantin is a traditional Nyonya sambal made with galangal and candlenut, slow-cooked until slightly sweet and deeply fragrant.
Which one is your home sambal? Comment below.
Tempoyak Budu PeranakanFood FoodHeritage MakanMakan