Sambal Matah is a raw, spicy shallot salsa or condiment from Bali, Indonesia.
There is no direct translation of the Malay/Indonesian word sambal. It usually refers to spicy condiments, both raw and cooked like Sambal Belacan and Sambal Ijo; but can also refer to mains and sides like Prawn Sambal and Sambal Goreng (a spicy stir fry, recipe soon!). You can read more about the sambals mentioned by clicking on the individual names.
What does Sambal Matah mean?
- Sambal = a spicy condiment, chilli dish
- Belacan = shrimp paste (terasi in Indonesian, kapi in Thai)
- Ijo = green, in Indonesian
- Goreng = fried or to fry, in Malay and Indonesian
- Matah = is a Balinese word adapted from mentah, which means raw
So Sambal Matah means raw sambal.
It started life known as sambel bawang (onion/shallot sambal). But as it moved out of Bali and became more well known, the name gradually evolved into sambal matah, to differentiate it from the more common onion sambal already in existence.
So Sambal Matah is just one of a gazillion spicy condiments, salsas and chilli pastes found in South East Asia. It is raw and reminds me of the Mexican Pico de Gallo or Salsa Fresca. Not surprisingly, you will find it in many guises all over South East Asia.
Have you been to Bali in Indonesia? It’s called the Island of The Gods, for the abundance of spirituality found everywhere. In the image below, you can see the traditional and ancient Balinese dance being performed.
How do we use Sambal Matah?
- Pretty much how we would use any chilli condiment or salsa. Traditionally, this is popularly served with grilled fish or chicken. It goes amazingly with the crispy skin of both, providing a real contrast of flavours and textures.
- I pretty much have it as I would any other sambal, a little of it with every mouthful of rice or meat, whatever I happen to be eating. That’s how we eat sambals and nam priks in South East Asia! (nam priks are Thai chilli pastes/condiments/sauces). Quite often you’ll see me knocking this up in just about 5 minutes to add zing to a seemingly “dull” midweek meal.
- It is also perfect with satay – another grilled food, you see a theme, don’t you?
- And because I need spice in all foods, what better way to zing up my salad than by adding a tablespoon or two of this and tossing it all in. We have lots of different salads here on LinsFood, just go to the Salads Page to have your fill!
Sambal Matah Ingredients
Shrimp Paste
Click here to read more. This is probably the only pesky ingredient here. If you can’t get it easily, go online, folks, it’s such a light thing, p&p shouldn’t cost too much! We’ll be dry roasting the shrimp paste and basically just crumbling it up and mixing it in.
If you can’t get shrimp paste, you could use a couple of anchovies in oil or brine, patted dry, mashed up and used in its place. It won’t be the same flavour, but it will be delicious!
Failing that, just leave the shrimp paste out and you will still enjoy all the raw, pungent and citrusy notes of this sambal!
Lemongrass
Click here to read more. Maybe the other ingredient that could be a problem is lemongrass, although I think that it’s easier to come by. Leave it out if you can’t get it.
Lime leaves
These are completely optional here, and if you don’t have access to them, the zest of a lime will do perfectly for the sweet, citrus aroma.
Oil in Sambal Matah
Many years ago, on a dive trip around Bali, I had sambal matah with coconut oil added. This was the first time I had it in Bali itself. I was reliably informed by the old lady who made it that coconut oil is the traditional oil used in it.
On subsequent trips to Bali, I found that not everyone used coconut oil. Some went for just plain vegetable oil, which was a bit pointless, as it didn’t contribute any flavour, just calories!
I have a confession to make: While I enjoy coconut oil, I am not a fan of sambal matah with it. Coconut oil is so overpowering, I felt that it masked the citrusy notes of the lime juice and the lemongrass, which I just love.
So I don’t use any oil in my sambal matah, makes it much healthier too, right? I’ve given it as optional in the recipe.
Torch Ginger Flower in Sambal Matah
On a few occasions, in Indonesia, I’ve had this sambal with finely sliced torch ginger flower, a very common ingredient in some parts of South East Asia. It adds a sharp, pungent, citrusy and peppery flavour to the sambal. As I don’t have access to torch ginger flowers here in the UK, I don’t have an option.
The image below shows you the flower in full bloom. In the kitchen, the flower is usually used while still closed as a bud, and sliced thinly. It’s known as kecombrang in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) and bunga kantan in Bahasa Malaysia (Malay).
How long will Sambal Matah Last?
It will last 3 days in the fridge, covered. The shallots will take on a slightly pinky hue but will be perfectly fine and tasty still. Quite often, I make a small amount, have half of it and just leave the rest in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and place it in the fridge until the next day or two.
Right then, that’s about covered it all. Shall we get our aprons on?
More Chilli Recipes on LinsFood
There are many sambal dishes on LinsFood and this is one of the few uncooked ones. You’ll find the others and all things chilli (pepper) on the Chilli Pepper Page, like:
Sambal Belacan (Red Chilli Condiment) 
Zhoug, Yemeni Green Chilli Sauce 
Sichuan Chilli Oil
♥ If you like the recipe and article, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! 😉 Terima kasih! ♥
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Sambal Matah, Indonesian Raw Spicy Salsa from Bali
Ingredients
- ½ tsp shrimp paste
- 4 shallots
- 4 red bird’s eye chillies
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1 lemongrass bottom half
- 1 tomato
- 1 tsp coconut oil (up to you if you want to add this)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- zest of 1 lime
Instructions
- Place the shrimp paste in a small frying pan over medium-low heat and dry fry for about 3 minutes, turning a couple of times, and flattening.
- While the shrimp paste is toasting, let’s get all the ingredients ready. Start by halving, then slicing the shallots fairly finely.
- Chop up the chillies and garlic finely.
- Slice the lemongrass very thinly.
- Chop up the tomato into small pieces, reserving the any juice.
- Place the toasted shrimp paste, the coconut oil if using, the salt, sugar and lime juice in a medium-sized bowl and with the back of a spoon, mash up the shrimp paste and mix everything up until you have a paste.
- Add all the aromatics and vegetables, (including the juice from the chopped tomato) that you’ve chopped into the bowl and toss everything well, making sure that all the chopped ingredients are coated with the shrimp paste and lime juice sauce. Serve as suggested above.
Thanks Azlin. Just had our first barbie of the season, and made a big bowl of this. It was wiped clean inside 10 minutes!
Wow, that’s a definite compliment! I must admit, it doesn’t last long here either!
Thank you for this very clear, step by step recipe and explanation. Your pictures are amazing too. Planning to try it this weekend.
Awesome, Rose. Let me know how it goes!
Those chilis would make this dish nice and spicy. I know my husband would be more than willing to give this a try….he does like his heat.
Thank you.
This sounds delicious! I love raw salsas and although I’ve never tried a sambal like this the flavours in it sound so yummy and I know we’d love it.
It’s a lovely change from the Latin types!
Beautiful photos. I could imagine this served with grilled skirt steak, too. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely!
Fab stuff! I am loving this salsa, I’m a huge fan of raw onions and shallots, so this is just my kind of thing. And I can definitely get shrimp paste, thank you!
A pleasure, Stacy, thank you.
Thanks Azlin! I’m loving this and all your chilli recipes. So many different, exotic ones that I will never see on sites here in the US! Planning to make this one today.
Thank you, Clive, I appreciate you taking the time. Let me know how it goes!