What is "dabu-dabu"

Dabu-dabu is a type of hot and spicy condiment commonly found in the Gorontalo and Manado cuisine of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dabu-dabu chopped red chili peppers, bird's eye chili, shallots, red and green tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and sugar. All of the chopped and diced spices are mixed with fresh calamansi juice or locally known as lemon cui or jeruk kesturi; sometimes calamansi is replaced by kaffir lime or lemon juice. The chili pepper and citrus juice give it a fresh sour and spicy flavour.

It is usually used as a condiment for seafoods, especially various recipes of ikan bakar (grilled fish). Dabu-dabu has a flavor similar to Mexican salsa. It is sometimes described as Manado's raw sambal.