Taste These 10 Best Balinese Dishes For A Memorable Food Journey

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)

4. Sayur Urab

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.