Bali is home to one of the best cuisines in the world. There are multiple options to choose from: street food to restaurants and local eateries, to community kitchens and Michelin five-star restaurants. Like their varied culture, Bali's food is loaded with various spices ranging from turmeric to cumin to cloves. Sambal, one of the vital side dishes, is found to be served alongside every meal prepared. Known to be meat lovers, the Balinese can whip up meals of global fame such as Ayam Betutu, Nasi Ayam and Nasi Campur, to name a few. The food here is diverse, delicious and affordable.
Here are some of the must try food in Bali:
1. Nasi Ayam (Chicken Rice)
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Nasi Ayam is one of the most ubiquitous highlights of Balinese cuisine; this dish is a must-try for every foodie out there! Comprising shredded chicken, satay, boiled egg, roasted peanuts, french bean salad, sambal, and a bowl of steamed rice, this dish is guaranteed to take you on a wild ride exploring the variety of flavors it offers. The satay made of fish is marinated along with the chicken and grilled to perfection. The former is served on a stick, whereas the latter is served shredded. The peanuts add a crunch and take the dish to a whole new level!
2. Ayam Betutu (Balinese Spiced Chicken)
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A bowl of steamed rice accompanied by chunks of chicken bathed in chilli sambal with the satay, salad and peanuts makes up the dish. Traditionally, the chicken is first braised and then smoked. It is broken down into chunks and is served with chili sambal and Sambal Matah. Sambal Matah makes up for the lack of the other side dishes and serves as a Kickstarter for your tastebuds.
3. Lawar
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This is the undisputed king of all coconut-based dishes and is a go-to starter. It is primarily made from coconut gratings, to which minced jackfruit, bits of chicken skin, chilies, and coconut milk are added. Jackfruit and coconut milk bring out the dish's fruity sweetness, while the chicken skin makes it a bit chewy. These ingredients are mixed by hand and traditionally served on a banana leaf. Red lawar consists of blood, while white lawar is made of jackfruit and has no animal products. You might also find minced dragonflies and turtles in a few places in your lawar.
4. Babi Guling (Pig Roast)
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A favourite amongst food critics, Babu Guling is one of those Balinese dishes that is unique in terms of preparation. A whole pig is stuffed with spices and is sealed. Two stands are set up over which the pork is grilled to a smoky red color. The skin is crisp and preserved, and the meat is finely shredded. Satay, Lawar, pork skin, shredded pork meat, and rice are served along with pork soup. Chunks of pork meat are present in this steaming hot soup with a hint of green onions and cilantro. The pork satay is roasted to perfection and served on a skewer. To make the dish even better, the soup can sometimes be added to the main dish, making you savor every bite. Definitely, there is no missing out on this one!
5. Sate Lilit (Minced Meat Satay)
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Sate is known for coming in all shapes and sizes. Beef and pork, being prominent in Bali, are usually served in Sate instead of chicken. However, Sate Lilit is made from pork and is smoked over charcoal to give it a charred taste. These are served on sticks, dipped into peanut sauce, and topped with garlic flakes. The meat is tender and chewy and has a sweet taste to it. Another variation of this is the beef state.
6. Martabak
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Need the perfect occasion to erupt in joy? Guess what?! This is it! Martabak is the Indonesian version of a pancake loaded with a ton of toppings like Toblerone, Nutella, peanuts, chocolate sprinkles, butter, cheese, and condensed milk. The pancake is folded in half and cut through evenly so that the toppings remain in the middle, causing the flavors to explode and leaving you contentment, making you savor every bite of this dessert.
Where to find: Sedap Mantap Martabak & Terang Bulang, Denpasar (opens 02:00 PM to 10:00 PM); Warung Bunana, Badung (opens 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
Nasi Campur translates to food mixed with rice. It is popular among both locals and visitors. This traditional Indonesian dish includes grilled chicken, beef rendang, tofu and vegetables in one platter with a portion of yellow or white rice. The food is cooked in clay and wooden utensils for a smokey taste.
Fresh customizable Acai Bowls and Smoothies are becoming popular due to the growing number of health-conscious travelers in Bali. One can easily combine fresh tropical and exotic fruits for a nutritious breakfast, lunch or snack. The most popular fruits amongst tourists are mangoes, bananas, coconuts, and dragon fruit combined with acai, granola, and berries. You can also get customized fruit writings on your bowl like Bali Vibes, Jet Set, etc.
9. Klepon (Indonesian Sweet Rice Cakes)
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Sweets are considered an integral part of any culture. The Balinese leave no stone unturned when it comes to savouring sweets. Made from boiled rice cakes filled with palm sugar and covered in coconut gratings, these are among the sweetest delights you will ever encounter. They are usually available in small plastic boxes and have a massive demand in the Balinese market.
10. Tipat Cantok (Balinese Rice Cake Salad)
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One of the few vegetarian Balinese dishes that anyone can find with ease on the island, it is made from peanut sauce, rice cakes steamed in palm leaves, cabbage and baby green sprouts, these are mixed thoroughly and drizzled with sweet soy sauce. It has a sweet and salty taste, with neither one overpowering the other. Using a pesto, the peanut sauce is made by crushing peanuts, garlic, and chilies together in a stone mortar. These old-school methods are what make this dish so delicious.
This is an all-time favorite food of Bali. Various spices are mixed to form a thick paste, added to boiled rice and cooked on a slow flame. Loads of vegetables are added along with chicken meat or beef, previously marinated and fried to perfection. To the very end, butter is added to this mountain of fried rice to make it all the more sumptuous and better.
Sambal Matah has over 300 variations and is Bali’s own spicy creation. It is one of the staple diets of the locals, prepared using finely chopped shallots, lemongrass, spices, garlic, and herbs, fried in hot oil with a sprinkle of shrimp paste. It can be eaten as an individual dish or combined with fish or chicken, which enhances the main dish.
One of the well-known sweet dishes in Bali, which can be eaten as a dessert, snack or for breakfast. The dish is basically black rice pudding, which is heaven for tourists with a liking for sweet food. It is usually syrupy and served hot, garnished with coconut cream and sliced bananas. It truly represents Balinese culture and cuisine, for it is only made with locally available ingredients. The dish is also must-try, especially for vegetarian travellers.
14. Bebek Betutu or Bebek Goreng (Balinese Roast Duck)
It has a legendary tale of being the king’s favorite meal. It is an alternative for people who do not consume pork. It is prepared using a whole duck or chicken stuffed with vegetables, spices and herbs. It takes about 8-12 hours to prepare and thus has a very rich and super-delicious taste.
A part of the royal Balinese cuisine, this dish is one of the most wholesome soups anyone will ever encounter! Salt is added to a finely chopped banana stalk, and the mixture is pressed to remove the moisture and make it devoid of its juices. Turmeric and bay leaves, among other spices, are added along with chunks of chicken, which are mixed thoroughly and put on a low flame. It is then boiled in a closed vessel where the spices and condiments work their wonders and produce praiseworthy soup!
It is also popularly known as ‘fried banana fritters’. It is one of the most-eaten local snacks due to the plenty of bananas available in Bali during the season. It can be paired with ice cream, syrup, chocolate, whipped cream, or eaten as it is. It is eaten mostly as snacks all around the country.
|It is a vegetable salad, that can be consumed to freshen up after an excruciating day of travel around Bali. It is another Balinese dish, which can be eaten cold, lukewarm or with staple food rice. It is very convenient to get and is another vegetarian dish that should be tried at least once. It is made of potatoes, beans, capsicum and tomatoes, with a peanut sauce dressing. There are multiple variations all over the country.
18. Fish Head Soup
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Considered a delicacy, the fish head soup cooks the whole fish, eyes, teeth, and all, which are boiled in a broth to which various spices are added. Traditionally, cucumber is added to it too. This cools the soup while the broth imparts its flavor to the fish. It is usually served with fried fish and a bowl of rice. The fish is fried to a golden brown and crispy on the outside while being tender on the inside. It is succulent at best and instantly melts in your mouth. This Bali food is a must-have for all fish lovers!
19. Serombotan
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A mixture of various items starting with bean sprouts, spinach, green banana slices, soybeans, and peanuts, topped with coconut and peanut sauce, along with sambal, this is one of the healthiest foods of Bali you will come across. The vegetables are crisp; the banana is a wacky addition, and the peanuts add a crunch to every bite taken. The coconut sauce enhances the taste and takes it to a whole new level. Traditionally, this dish is served in a paper cone.
20. Urutan Balinese Sausage
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Pork intestines are used to make Ururtan sausages while the remainder of the pig serves as a base for various other dishes like Babi Guling, pork soup and other pork-related dishes. The intestines are first sun-dried, filled with a filling, marinated in sweet chili sauce, and subsequently deep-fried. This local food of Bali is usually served with sambal Matah and roasted peanuts.
21. Kopi Tubruk
SourceBalinese coffee is made in a way that sets it apart from the rest. Pipping hot water is poured into a glass containing coffee beans and left untouched for 5 - 6 minutes. The beans impart their flavor and remain settled at the bottom of the glass. You can then proceed to drink the coffee while avoiding the beans. In terms of taste, it is somewhat similar to Turkish coffee.
22. Rujak (Indonesian Fruit Salad)
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This food of Bali is a fruit salad. Green mango, papaya, and yam beans are diced and mixed with shrimp paste, which makes it a bit salty. It is drizzled with chili sauce and is finally dressed with palm sugar. The taste varies between two extreme ends, ranging from sweet to chilly to salty.
23. Es Cendol
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Another drink on the list! This one’s made from rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar droplets. The rice flour jelly imparts a colorful look to the drink, while the coconut milk serves to sweeten it a bit. Occasionally, ice or crushed ice cubes may be added to cool down the drink. Indeed, it is a refreshing drink that shouldn’t be missed out on!
24. Bakso (Indonesian Meatball)
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Bakso translates to meatballs is a commonly eaten food of Bali. It can be served with egg noodles, flat noodles or vermicelli. Vegetables are tossed in to make it even better, and eventually, a broth is added, making it a fragrant mix of noodles and soup. For visual appeal, it can be served in a coconut and topped with loads of other sauces.
25. Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish)
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This loosely translates to burned fish in English. A fish of your choice is selected and marinated with turmeric, chili, and garlic sauces, among loads of other seasonings. It is then smoked with charcoal to give the fish a charred taste. The meat is tender and delicious, causing it to melt in your mouth. It is usually served with sambal.
Also, if you intend to transform into a fire-breathing human, help yourself with loads of red chilli sambal, an ingredient used in almost every Balinese dish. It is the secret ingredient that makes Bali's food the delicious cuisine it currently is.
