The Sauce Shelf Showdown: Sweet Heat vs. Deep Umami

The sauce shelf is a quiet battlefield. On one side, the sweet-and-sticky condiments destined for a drizzle over fried chicken; on the other, a dark, funky paste that promises to transform a simple stir-fry into something deeply savoury. This tasting pits three Malaysian and Indonesian heavyweights against each other — a shrimp cooking sauce and two sambals from the ABC stable — to see which earns a permanent spot in your weekly shop.

First impressions

There’s a sauce for every mood, and this trio covers the spectrum from umami bomb to gentle heat. The Jeeny's Petis Udang is the dark horse — a thick, molasses-like paste that looks more like a marinade than a finishing sauce, while the two ABC bottles are familiar friends, their labels promising the classic sweet-chilli hit with varying degrees of fire. These are the bottles you reach for when a dish needs a last-minute jolt of personality.

What it tastes like

Jeeny's Shrimp Cooking Sauce Petis Udang is the surprise of the bunch. With shrimp making up 9.1% of the ingredients, it delivers a concentrated, briny depth that’s closer to a rich stock reduction than a dipping sauce. The texture is syrupy and clingy, with a pronounced sweetness (49g of sugar per 100g) that balances the saline kick. Expect it to caramelise beautifully when heated, lending a glossy, savoury glaze to prawns or chicken — think of it as a Malaysian cousin to oyster sauce, but with a more pronounced seafood edge.

ABC Chilli Sauce - Sambal Asli is the approachable classic. With 35% chilli peppers and a visible garlic presence (3.8%), it opens with a bright, almost fruity heat that builds gently before settling into a sweet-sour finish. The vinegar and citric acid keep it lively, making it a superb all-rounder for dipping spring rolls or stirring into noodles. It’s not a face-melter; it’s the sauce that makes everything taste a little more cheerful.

ABC Extra Hot Chilli Sauce - Sambal Extra Pedas is the same family, but it means business. With 39% chillies and a higher sugar content (27g per 100g), the heat arrives with more persistence, though it’s still balanced by that characteristic ABC sweetness. The addition of flavour enhancers (E621, E635) rounds out the savoury notes, giving it a moreish quality that the original lacks. Our honest favourite? The Jeeny's — it’s the most versatile and intriguing of the three, offering a depth that transforms a midweek stir-fry into something restaurant-worthy.

Ingredients and allergens

• Jeeny's Shrimp Cooking Sauce Petis Udang: Water, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Shrimp (Crustaceans) (9.1%), Glucose Syrup, Salt. Contains Wheat and Crustaceans. May contain traces of Fish and Molluscs.
• ABC Chilli Sauce - Sambal Asli: Chilli Peppers (35%), Water, Sugar, Salt, Garlic (3.8%), Thickener (E1442), Acids (E260, E330), Antioxidant (E300), Flavouring. No allergen information published by the supplier.
• ABC Extra Hot Chilli Sauce - Sambal Extra Pedas: Chilli Peppers (39%), Sugar, Water, Garlic, Salt, Thickener (E1442), Acid (E260), Flavour Enhancers (E621, E635), Flavouring. Contains Sulphites.

Worth knowing

• Jeeny's Shrimp Cooking Sauce: 240g, £3.95, product of Malaysia.
• ABC Chilli Sauce - Sambal Asli: 335ml, £2.49, product of Indonesia.
• ABC Extra Hot Chilli Sauce: 335ml, £2.49, product of Indonesia.
• All three are ambient sauces; store in a cool, dry place once opened.

Not published by the supplier

• Unit count (Jeeny's)
• Best-before dates for all three products
• Certification details (halal, kosher, etc.)
• Cross-contact information for ABC Sambal Asli

Before you buy

If you cook Asian food regularly and want a shortcut to deep, savoury flavour, the Jeeny's is your pick — try it as a glaze for grilled chicken or stirred through fried rice. The ABC Sambal Asli is the safe bet for families, brilliant with chips or as a table condiment, while the Extra Pedas version suits those who like a proper kick — just check the sulphite line if you’re sensitive. Pair the Extra Pedas with crispy tofu for a weeknight dinner that needs no other seasoning.