Is sarsaparilla used in cooking?
You can make a great great BBQ sauce with:


Some sarsaparilla (..or root beer)
Pureed, drained tomatoes
Some soy sauce
Spicy Mustard
Dill
Little vinegar
Other spicings to flavor


Add the sarsaparilla a little at a time and just mix in half your base at first so you can work the flavor out as you go. Simmer 5 or 10 minutes and let cool. Make it really thick. Put that on some ribs, chicken wings or steaks...mmmm. tasty.

I've also had some Chinese and Thai food that had some and turned out pretty good. Not sure if it was 'authentic' but good.