Embark on a culinary adventure in Bali, where traditional flavours meet modern twists. Discover must-try dishes that capture the essence of the island, from the iconic Nasi Goreng and spicy Babi Guling to the sweet treats of Klepon.
Savour the vibrant street food scene at local warungs or indulge in gourmet experiences at upscale restaurants. Each bite tells a story of Bali’s rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary influences.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveller, these essential Balinese foods promise an unforgettable gastronomic journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Food to try in Bali:
1. Satay in Bali:
In Indonesia, people also know it as ‘sate.’ They grill slices of meat, such as chicken, goat, beef, or pork, skewered on sticks. It is a traditional dish that you can find in every city of Indonesia.
The most common and popular version of sate or satay in Indonesia is ‘Sate Lilit.’ To prepare this dish, marinate the meat slices with coconut milk and traditional spices.
Serve satay with additional sauces featuring spicy, savory, and sweet combinations.
Where to eat:
- Warung Sate Bonbon, Jl. Siligita, Nusa Dua
- Sate Babi Pohon, Jl, Campuhan I-Dewi Sri, Legian
- Gapet, Jl Kayu Aya, Oberoi
2. Babi Gualing in Bali:
Babi Guling or Balinese roasted pork is one of the must-try dishes in Bali. This dish is a must in wedding offerings by the bride’s family. To prepare this dish, chefs rub the cavity with a mixture of spices and tapioca leaves.
They rub the skin with turmeric juice before roasting. They then stuff the pork with a mixture of turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, shallots, galangal, chili, shrimp paste, and garlic.
Next, they roll and roast the whole pork over the fire. Once the pig is roasted, they carefully remove the crisp skin and cut the meat into chunks. They serve this juicy and crispy dish with steamed rice, fresh vegetables, and sambal.
Where to eat:
3. Betutu in Bali:
This dish, believed to be the favorite dish of the king, involves a sophisticated preparation process. Chefs prepare it with a whole chicken or duck stuffed with a mixture of spices including shallots, garlic, ginger, chili, peanuts, and more.
They call the chicken version ‘Ayam Betutu’ and the duck version ‘Bebak Betutu’. They wrap the chicken or duck in leaves and steam or bake it with the unique mixture for about eight hours. This dish is usually served at weddings and important ceremonies.
Where to eat:
- Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk
- Ayam Betutu Pak Man Kuta
- Warung Ayam Betutu Gianyar
4. Lawar in Bali:
This dish originated in Bali. Chefs prepare this dish with a mixture of vegetables, coconut, and minced meat mixed with rich traditional herbs and spices. The mixture contains green beans, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, palm sugar, and freshly grated coconut oil.
Lawar has three main versions – Chicken Lawar, Pork Lawar, and Jackfruit Lawar. They serve Lawar with steamed rice and other meats such as babi guling.
Where to eat:
- Warung Lawar Kodi
- Men Koko
- Lawar Bali Kartika
5. Bubur Menguhh:
This is a compulsory dish to be served at traditional festivals and ceremonies. This is a certain kind of porridge, that originated in Buleleng. They top the porridge with a liquid mixture made from spices, roasted peanuts, shredded chicken, and celery.
They serve this dish with a vegetable salad with coconut dressing, called urab. Bebur Menguhh is served as breakfast or as a main course dish during the monsoon season.
Where to eat:
- Warung Menguhh
- Warung Bubur
- Warung Dadong Ayu
6. Urab:
In Bali, you will find most of the diet is dominated by meat, especially chicken and pork. But, Bali also has a vegetarian dish to offer named, Urab. Urab or Urap is a traditional vegetable salad with coconut dressing.
Chefs prepare it with a wide variety of steamed or raw vegetables, including green beans, cabbage, bean sprouts, spinach, and cassava leaves.
Where to eat:
- Jukut Urab, Denpasar City
- Umanyar Restaurant, Badung regency
- Warung damar, Badung regency
7. Sambal Matah:
Sambal Matah is a kind of hot and spicy sauce that has made its way to restaurants and households from all over Indonesia. The main ingredients of this hot sauce are shallots, garlic, and chilis. Chefs chop and blend these ingredients to achieve the perfect texture that complements every dish.
This hot sauce has a fresh sensation because of the slight touch of lime leaves and lemongrass. People can eat this sauce with simple fried chicken, pork, and egg dishes.
Where to eat:
- Sambal Matah restaurant, Jl Goutama Sel. No. 5
- Souphoria, Jl Bumbak 116B, Umalas, Kerobokan
- Warung Eropa, Jl Petitinget No. 9D, Kerobokan, North Kuta
8. Pisang Goreng:
These are fried bananas. Bali offers a wide variety of bananas ranging from small, sweet varieties to large ones that look like a weapon. Chefs make Pisang Goreng by deep-frying banana slices in hot oil.
They serve this morning snack with honey or palm sugar syrup, and a little bit of flaked coconut or vanilla ice cream.
Where to eat:
- Pisang-Pisang, Br. Kaja, Desa Jungutbatu
- Pisang Gorang Special Raja, Jl Gunung Indrakila No. 1
- Hotdoh Pisang Goreng – Pulau Komodo
9. Smoothie Bowls:
The main element of this dish is the extra-thick smoothie, eaten with a spoon. Chefs pour the mixture into a bowl and top it with fruits and nuts. They use a wide range of fruits for smoothies, such as frozen strawberries, mangoes, pineapple, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi, bananas, raspberries, and more.
They blend the fruit with flavored liquids like coconut water, juice, yogurt, or milk until the mixture thickens. Then, they transfer it to a bowl and garnish it with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries, shredded coconut, and puffed rice or granola.
Where to try:
- Cafe Organic
- Bali Bowls & Smoothies -Nachi
- Green Guru Smoothie Bowl Bar
