Indonesian Sambal Ranked Among Southeast Asia's Best Sauces by Taste Atlas

In a dish, sauce acts as a condiment that can enhance the flavor. Many countries also have their own signature sauces with different tastes and textures.

According to the Croatian culinary guide website, Taste Atlas, Indonesian sambal ranks third as the best sauce in Southeast Asia, with a score of 4.4 out of 5.

Indonesian sambal is considered unique because it combines chilies with salt, lime juice, shallots, sugar, or vinegar. Sambal can be enjoyed with various types of food, both meat and vegetables.

Other signature Nusantara sauces that made it to the best of Southeast Asia list are sambal terasi with a score of 4.4, pecel peanut sauce with a score of 4.3, and Manado's rica-rica with a score of 4.1.

"Traditionally made using a mortar and pestle, this sambal has a strong and sharp flavor," wrote Taste Atlas on its website, Tuesday (25/7/2023).

Meanwhile, first place was taken by Thai curry paste with a score of 4.7. This paste, called *gaeng*, comes in yellow, red, and green with varying levels of spiciness. Yellow curry paste is mildly spicy, and green curry paste is the spiciest.

Here is a complete list of the 10 best sauces in Southeast Asia according to Taste Atlas as of July 2023:

1. Curry paste (Thailand): 4.7 points
2. *Nuoc cham* (Vietnam): 4.6 points
3. Sambal (Indonesia): 4.4 points
4. *Nam phrik* (Thailand): 4.4 points
5. Sambal terasi (Indonesia): 4.4 points
6. Pecel (Indonesia): 4.3 points
7. Rica-rica (Indonesia): 4.1 points
8. *Gaeng kiew wan* (Thailand): 4.1 points
9. *Mam nem* (Vietnam): 4 points
10. *Prik gaeng massaman* (Thailand): 2.9 points

Taste Atlas made this assessment based on the ratings given by their reader community.

"These rankings should not be seen as a final conclusion. Our goal is to promote delicious local foods, instill pride in traditional cuisine, and arouse curiosity about cuisines you haven't tried before," said Taste Atlas.

(Also read: Serabi and Fried Bananas Make it into the Top 10 Best Sweet Snacks in the World According to Taste Atlas June 2023)