Indonesia condiments are created to appease the burning question in the hearts of the entire population of Indonesia: ‘What if my favorite dish isn’t spicy enough?’ Some condiments are used for very specific meals, like plum sauce, a dark, sweet-savory sauce, always served with Peking Duck. Other condiments have a huge fan base from the chefs of a hotel in Bali Indonesia to students cooking on a single burner in their dorm-room and use the condiments on every dish the can get their hands on.
One particular condiment is Wasabi. Wasabi, also know as the ‘Japanese Horseradish’ is well-known through out the world as the best hot spicy condiment severed with any sushi rolls and sashimi. It a powerful green paste and usually is mixed in with soysauce to cut the burn factor. Wasabi can also be found flavoring pistachios to ice cream. Another condiment is Raita, a yogurt-based dip that is mixed in with flavors and spices like cucumbers, onions and chillies. The fats in the yogurts help cool the palate from the searing effect of ordering a hot spicy dish. Bagoong , a Filipino condiment contains the ingredients ranging from the salting and fermenting of anchovies and or shrimp. This condiment has similarities tastes and smells of anchovy paste. Bagoong becomes the residue of the production of any fish sauce. Many lower income families use bagoong as a stand-alone meal. It flavors cooked rice or can supplement steamed vegetable leaves.
The ever familiar Kimchi, a Korean side dish, is served alongside any dish in Indonesia. Kimchi is traditionally made with cabbage, brine and ground hot peppers. Not only do Koreans crave this tasty condiment, so does the rest of Indonesia and parts of the western world. But, the most simplest traditional condiment of Indonesia it Sambal made from ground chili peppers and salt. A more elaborate Sambal sauce will have onion, lemongrass, lime juice, sugars, garlic mixed in an oil and vinegar base.
All you need to answer your question is to serve one or all of the condiments listed above alongside your favorite dish and never worry every if your dish is spicy enough.
