Sambal fish (sambal ikan) Simple and spicy, there’s nothing not to love about this Malaysian classic. If you prefer, you could use an oily fish, say mackerel or even tuna steaks.

Rice rules the roost in an Indonesian menu, says Harsha Bhat Bali and Bangalore share a common love — rice.

Some versions are simple, requiring nothing more than a splash of lime juice, some turmeric and shallots and a fresh tomato sambal, while others, such as the following recipe, call for a spice paste.

Sambal belacan and coconut milk fried chicken sandwiches with acar slaw Belacan comes in hard, dry blocks, or in jars, where it is more moist. For this recipe, use the dry version.

Bangsar’s most treasured Indian restaurant is built on its banana leaf rice, tucked away on the top floor. Ask for the crab and Kerala fish curries, order a plate of the prawn sambal, fried ...

NEW YORK — When my mom cooked sambal from scratch, she moved with controlled haste. Her eyebrows would furrow as she used her index finger to mix belacan, a pungent shrimp paste, with water.