What is the difference between sambal Oelek and sambal Bajak?
In order to uncover the difference between sambal Oelek en sambal Bajak, first of all it is important to ascertain the exact components of the various types of sambal. We’ll start with sambal Oelek, the most well-known of the two types.
Sambal Oelek
Sambal Oelek is the standard type of sambal. Sambal Oelek is a mashed up mixture, consisting of several kinds of ingredients. Sambal Oelek is made up of chili peppers and salt and is usually mashed togegether using a mortar and pestle.
Usually, sambal is served with dishes at Chinese restaurants. However, you can also buy sambal in supermarkets. Sambal Oelek is a genuine basic sambal and is used widely in many different dishes.
Sambal Bajak
Sambal Bajak is a unique type of sambal and is not used in all dishes. Sambal Bajak after all has a more specific flavour. Garlic and onions are important additions and infuse the sambal with a remarkable flavour.
Fried peppers are used in the preparation of sambal Bajak. This results in a sambal with a milder taste which is easier to eat. When preparing sambal Oelek, fried peppers are not uses as a rule. Compared with sambal Bajak, Oelek is a very spicy sambal.
The differences
Obviously, the difference between the two types of sambal comes down to flavour. This is because they are composed of different ingredients.
Subsequently, it is important to use the right type of sambal with the appropriate dish. This is easier than you may imagine because you can choose the relevant sambal for your dishes according to your own taste preference.
Many dishes require salt. There is no salt in sambal Bajak. However, in sambal Oelek there is salt. Many dishes can use a little extra salt and for these, we recommend using a sambal Oelek rather than a sambal Bajak.
Sambal Oelek is a lot more populair than sambal Bajak. The Oelek is a more basic sambal. Sambal Bajak therefore is a better choice for more complex flavours. Usually, it’s not that difficult to make the right choice. Of course it’s vital to have a number of different types of sambal in your pantry in this case. In this way it’s easy to compare and you will achieve the best cooking results.