How did sambal and sriracha become ubiquitous with Middle Eastern food like falafel and schwarma?

pierino is a trusted source on General Cooking and Tough Love.

added 8 months ago

I'm not sure that "ubiquitous" is exactly true but sambal and sriracha have a lot in common with the popular Tunisian table condiment harrissa. I would agree that they complement the same types of foods.

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Sarah is a trusted source on General Cooking.

added 8 months ago

I've never seen sambal or sriracha served with felafel or schwarma. But if I had to guess, I'd say it's either

1) because they're easier to find, and perhaps more versatile, than harissa, or

2) a victim of the "let's put sriracha on everything!" trend (see also: bacon)

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pierino is a trusted source on General Cooking and Tough Love.

added 8 months ago

Sarah just nailed one of my peeves, "let's put sriracha on everything!". It's the new Heinz ketchup. I have great admiration for the guy who founded Huy Fong Foods but there are places where I just don't want to taste it.

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Sure. Those answers all make sense. I should've clarified more, I meant a quick service type places that are more focused on schwarmas and sandwiches. My bet would've been on the availability and put sriracha on everything mentality, just wondering if there was more of a history to it than that. Thanks.

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susan g added 8 months ago

I have had falafel in Israel served with hot sauce, but something indigenous. (Ever had zhug, a hot sauce with Yemenite origins, very popular in Israel? I doubt it was that, but that would be more 'from the culture' than Asian condiments.)

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usuba dashi added 8 months ago

I do not associate sambal with Middle Eastern food, but rather Indonesia food. The food of today has blurred the line between cultures with fantastic results. If you study the fusion, you will see how many cultures have similar ingredients, but different. Even my explanation is blurred.

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