Authentic Sabahan Spicy Flavours You Need to Try

Written by Amberlyn Louis & Azeera Az.

Looking for flavours that tell the story of Sabah’s culinary heritage? As featured on Santai Ja Bah LIVE on TVSabah, Kadaiku puts the spotlight on spicy sauces that pack a punch, all made with traditional ingredients straight from local communities.

Here’s a taste of what you can explore:

1. 🌿 Borneo Tuhau – Wild Ginger & Chillis

A true Sabahan delicacy made from fermented tuhau (wild ginger), Momporok chilli, garlic, vinegar, and salt. It’s bold and fiery, perfect as a condiment or cooking base for those who love local chilli sauces.

2. 🍍 Everything Pineapple Chutney Anchovies

A unique sweet-spicy chutney made from ripe pineapples, dried anchovies, fresh chillies, and spices. The result? A tropical umami explosion that pairs perfectly with rice, fried foods, or as a dipping sauce.

3. 🌶️ Cili Padi Kampung & Sambal by Hani Martin

Sabahan-style sambals made using kampung-grown cili padi, fresh garlic, belacan, and lime juice, giving you a deeply fragrant and spicy kick. Taste the variety of Sabah’s chilli-based flavours:

• Perisa Goreng – fried chilli paste with garlic and anchovies
  
• Lengkuas & Halia – galangal and aromatic ginger blends
  
• Perisa Asli – simple, clean heat with minimal ingredients
  
• Other Sabahan sambals:
  
  • Kodop – fermented fish sambal
    
  • Bosou – tangy pickled meat or fish
    
  • Liposu – dry-style sambal with a hint of sweetness
    
  • Nanas Ikan Masin – pineapple + salted fish combo
    
  • Kantan Terung Pipit – infused with torch ginger and wild eggplant
    

4. 🔥 Authentic Sabahan Flavours by Yasimi & Baieku

Sabah’s favourite homegrown brands bring you bold and soulful sambals:

• Yasimi:
  
  • Sambal Nenas Udang Kering – a sweet-hot blend of pineapple and dried shrimp
    
  • Bosou Umbut Pisang – traditional preserved chilli with banana stemi
    
  • Tinutu Sambal Lengkuas – a rustic galangal sambal packed with earthy depth
    
• Baieku:
  
  • Sambal Ikan Masin 3 Rasa – combining sweet, sour, and salty for an addictive taste

📺 Watch us LIVE: “Santai Ja Bah” on TVSabah

🗓️ Monday, 9:00 PM

📍 Join Faizal, Manager of Kadaiku, as he shares the stories behind Sabah’s unique local products, from handcrafted delicacies to cultural treasures, in a special segment featured on TVSabah.

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