At the table
Eat the meat and vegetables together while hot. Plain rice works well alongside; it is an accompaniment, not part of the stir-fry itself.
Contains lamb and is not vegetarian or vegan. Shacha can contain fish, shrimp, sesame, soy and coconut; some labels also declare nuts. Soy sauce may contain wheat. Check the actual sauce label and other seasonings for your allergens. Rice wine may be used; cooking does not guarantee an alcohol-free dish. Omitting fresh chilli does not guarantee the sauce is chilli-free.
Celery, water spinach or Chinese kale may be used. Chilli, sauce quantity and added chicken seasoning vary. Some versions are served over rice or with noodles; check what you are ordering.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Celery, water spinach or Chinese kale may be used. Chilli, sauce quantity and added chicken seasoning vary. Some versions are served over rice or with noodles; check what you are ordering.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Savoury lamb, garlic and ginger meet the roasted, seafood-rich flavour of shacha. Added chilli brings heat; the amount varies, and the sauce itself may contain chilli.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Tender, thin meat slices and crisp celery stems, lightly coated in an oily, grainy sauce rather than a thick soup.
- How it’s made
- Marinate sliced lamb with soy sauce, rice wine, a little sugar and starch. Briefly stir-fry with garlic, ginger, chilli and shacha, then set aside. Stir-fry celery in the same wok, return the meat and finish cooking with the remaining seasonings.
Celery, water spinach or Chinese kale may be used. Chilli, sauce quantity and added chicken seasoning vary. Some versions are served over rice or with noodles; check what you are ordering.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Taiwan.
About this regional connection
Taiwan: Taipei government nightmarket context and Taiwanese manufacturer recipe establish regional preparation.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有沙茶羊肉吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Shacha in the Taiwanese wok
Shacha is the defining seasoning here: an aromatic, textured sauce often made with dried fish and small shrimp. Stir-frying it with lamb gives the meat a deep savoury coating. This style of cooking belongs to Taiwan’s quick-stir-fry and night-market repertoire, with the greens changing from one cook to another.