saa1 caa4沙茶
Jyutpingsaa1 caa4
Yalesā chàh
Definition
Shacha sauce, a sweet and savory condiment popular in Teochew, Fujian, Taiwanese, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
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How it's used
Shacha sauce is distinct from the Southeast Asian satay sauce despite the shared etymological roots. While satay sauce is typically peanut-based and sweeter, Shacha sauce relies heavily on dried shrimp, garlic, and chili for a savory, umami-rich profile. It is almost exclusively associated with hot pot dipping or stir-frying beef in local Cantonese culinary contexts.
Measure word
zeon1樽jēunExamples
How can you have hot pot without Shacha sauce?
This plate of beef is stir-fried with Shacha, it is very flavorful.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with satay sauce due to the similar name. Remember that in a Hong Kong hot pot setting, asking for 沙茶 is specifically for the savory, seafood-based condiment, not the peanut-heavy sauce used for grilled meat skewers.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
