Are you traveling on a budget in Bali? Instead of having a lunch out with the fusion or westernized food assortment, you should save your money and try some authentic Bali food. Forget the upscale restaurants and grab a worth-tasting take away from the warung (the local food stall in Bahasa). Then, savor the genuine Balinese flavors, from the phenomenal suckling pig to the scrumptious satay on lemongrass.
These 10 best Balinese dishes will obviously satisfy your hunger. Check them out!
1. Babi Guling
It might be hard to find the pork dishes in Indonesia. Yet, Bali is where you can have the most flavorful suckling pig ever, named “babi guling.” Before being roasted over hot coconut husks, the dead mammal is rubbed with varied aromatic Balinese spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, chilies, ginger and kaffir lime leaves. The meat is perfectly tender and the crackling really is crispy.
Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka
Address: Jl. Suweta, Ubud, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
Price: 55,000 IDR (4.1 USD)
2. Lawar
Lawar is one of the worth-trying Balinese dishes, highlighting minced pork mixed with grated coconut, chopped vegetables, herbs, spices and even the pig’s fresh blood to enhance the flavor. There are several Lawar options such as Lawar Ayam (made of chicken) and Lawar Nangka (made of young jack fruit). It’s usually eaten with the steamed rice, as well as the roasted suckling pork.
Warung Lawar Kodi
Address: Gang Harum no 10 Jl. Sekuta, Sanur, Kota Denpasar, Bali
Price: 30,000 IDR (2.2 USD)
3. Bebek and Ayam Betutu
Betutu could be a chicken or duck wrapped in upih (betel nut leave) and slow roasted inside the heap of burned rice husks to tender perfection. Before taking the long process of cooking, the poultry is marinated with the lime juice, chopped lemon grass, salt, and spicy seasoning (garlic, shallot, red chilies, ginger, shrimp paste, galangal and coriander). This popular dish can be found anywhere in the entire island.
Warung Liku
Address: Jl. Gandapura III, Kesiman Kertalangu, Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali
Price: 30,000 IDR (2.25 USD)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Sayur Urab
Are you a vegetarian? Try the Sayur Urab or mixed vegetables. It’s a classical Balinese side dish comprising of grated coconut and various veggies (string bean, cassava leaves, spinach and water morning glory), finely chopped and blanched. All of those ingredients are mixed with the spicy sambal. This healthy food is usually enjoyed with the hot steamed rice and chicken.
Sayur Urab
Estimated Price: 5,000 IDR (0.4 USD)
5. Sate Lilit
Another variation of satay you need to try is the Sate Lilit. The Balinese specialty is famous for its delicacy and unique look. Instead of being skewered with a bamboo stick, it uses lemongrass as well as sugar cane stick. The minced meat, which could be pork, beef, fish or chicken, even turtle, is combined with lemon juice, grated coconut, shallot, coconut milk and pepper, then grilled over hot charcoal.
Warung Ari
Address: Jl. Tukad Pakerisan No.6, Panjer, Dauh Puri Klod, Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar,
Price: 5,000 IDR (0.4 USD) per stick
6. Nasi Campur
Nasi Campur which literally means mixed rice is basically steam riced accompanied by side dishes like orek-orek tempe (sauteed fermented soybean), sate lilit, opor ayam (Indonesian chicken curry), tofu and vegetables. You can choose the additional dishes you want. The food is also found in other regions (Java, Sumatra and Borneo).
Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti
Address: Jl. Pantai Segara, Sanur
Price: 40,000 IDR (3 USD)
7. Jimbaran Seafood
Bali does have an abundance of seafood, suited for those craving for grilled fish. To appease your taste buds, make sure to hit Jimbaran Bay. There are a lot of beach-side cafes serving a wide assortment of barbecued seafood dishes. The fresh prawn, lobsters, clams, squids and crabs are the best. Dipping them in the varied sambal from sour to extra-spicy is another good way to enjoy the delicacy.
Warung Mami Ikan Bakar
Address: Jalan Uluwatu II No. 30X, Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Jimbaran, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Price: 80,000 IDR (3 USD)
8. Rujak Kuah Pindang
If you’re fans of fruit salad, having a try on Rujak Kuah Pindang or Rujak Gelogor is highly recommended. The som tam-look fresh dish includes a range of tropical fruits like unripe mango, pineapple, bengkoang fruit, cucumber and water apple. What makes it so special is the spicy sauce made of ikan pindang (sea fish), red chilies and shrimp paste.
Warung Rujak Kuah Pindang Bo Hwa
Address: JL. Abimanyu, No. 2, Banjar Tampak Gangsul, Dangin Puri Kaja, Denpasar Utara, Kota Denpasar, Bali
Price: 6,000 IDR (0.45 USD)
9. Jajanan Pasar
Jajanan Pasar refers to an assortment of traditional Balinese cakes and snack foods. The sweet delicacies are mostly used in ceremonial offerings for either daily prayer or festival. The basic ingredients to make them incredibly flavorful are the rice flour, coconut, glutinous rice and palm sugar. The varieties can be wajik, godoh and kelepon.
Jajanan Pasar
Estimated Price: 1,000 IDR (0.08 USD) per piece
10. Sambal Matah
Sambal Matah or raw sambal is actually a spicy sauce that consists of fresh raw ingredients such as chopped chilies, lemongrass, ginger torch, shallots, shrimp paste, coconut oil and kaffir lime leaves. The ubiquitous side dish is usually eaten with the crispy pork, shredded chicken, fried tofu and tempeh and steamed rice.
Warung Cahaya (crispy pork)
Address: Jalan Dewi Ratih No. 1, Legian, Kuta, Legian, Kuta
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 8 pm
Find out your best Balinese dishes
The tropical paradise named Bali is best known not only for its beaches and temples but also the local specialties, which can’t absolutely be overlooked. The incredibly delightful suckling pig, the seafood and the spicy raw sambal are indeed tempting.
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Facebook Log in with Twitter Log in with Google ×