Bali is not only famous for its natural beauty, but also for its appetizing culinary treasures. Each region in Bali has a distinctive flavor that is worth trying, from meat-based dishes to delicious sweet snacks. If you are visiting Bali, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the culinary in Bali that will spoil your tongue. Here are 7 culinary recommendations in Bali that you must try.
Babi Guling
Babi guling is one of the most famous dishes in Bali. The dish consists of pork roasted with Balinese spices, giving it a savory and spicy taste. One of the best places to enjoy babi guling is Ibu Oka’s babi guling located in Ubud. Here, the pork is served with crispy skin, white rice, lawar vegetables and sambal matah. The slow roasting process of the pork makes it tender and full of spice. Don’t forget to try the fresh spicy sambal matah, which is the perfect complement to this dish.
Location: Jalan Tegal Sari No. 2, Ubud, Bali
Ayam Betutu
Ayam betutu is a Balinese dish made from chicken seasoned with special spices. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or boiled for a long time until the meat is very tender. Its savory, spicy, and rich flavor makes this dish very popular in Bali. One of the best places to enjoy ayam betutu is Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk. This stall serves ayam betutu with delicious sambal matah and refreshing urap vegetables.
Ayam betutu is usually served with white rice and can also be paired with spicy sambal. This is a perfect dish for those of you who like food with bold flavors and rich spices.
Location: Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk, Badung, Bali
Sate Lilit
Unlike the usual satay, sate lilit is a Balinese satay that uses finely ground chicken, fish, or even beef, mixed with grated coconut, onions, and spices. Then, the meat mixture is wrapped around a lemongrass or bamboo stick and grilled until cooked. The savory and slightly sweet taste makes sate lilit the perfect snack or main course.
One of the best places to enjoy sate lilit is at sate lilit Ayam Anyelir stall in Denpasar. This stall is well known for its soft satay lilit and perfectly marinated satay.
Location: Warung Sate Lilit Men Weti, Nusa Dua, Bali
Lawar
Another culinary recommendations in Bali is Lawar. This dishes consisting of a mixture of fresh vegetables, grated coconut, minced meat (either chicken or beef), and spices. This dish is usually served with white rice and sambal. One of the most famous variants of lawar is ayam lawar, which has a fresh taste with a blend of spicy and savory. Lawar is usually served at traditional events or as a daily meal in Bali.
If you want to try this delicious food, visit Naughty Nuris’s Warung Seminyak. This stall is famous for its Balinese lawar served with sambal and warm rice, giving it a unique and delicious taste sensation.
Location: Naughty Nuris Warung Seminyak, Bali
Nasi Campur Bali
Balinese mixed rice is a dish consisting of white rice served with various Balinese side dishes, such as ayam betutu, sate lilit, lawar, sambal matah, and urap. This mixed rice is usually served in generous portions, making it perfect for enjoying with family or friends. Each side dish served on top of the rice has a unique and appetizing taste.
Nasi Bali Men Weti in Ubud is one of the places famous for its Balinese mixed rice. Here, you can enjoy an abundant variety of side dishes with authentic flavors, providing an unforgettable culinary experience.
Location: Nasi Bali Men Weti, Denpasar, Bali
Bali Market Snacks
Bali also has various types of market snacks that are worth trying. Balinese market snacks consist of various traditional cakes made from natural ingredients such as sticky rice, coconut, brown sugar, and bananas. Some famous types of Balinese market snacks include klepon, jaja uli, and jaja bali. Klepon are glutinous rice balls filled with liquid brown sugar coated with grated coconut, while jaja uli are sticky rice cakes served with coconut sugar.
You can find these Balinese market snacks at traditional markets such as Pasar Badung in Denpasar, which offers a wide variety of delicious and fresh snacks. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy these sweet treats as a dessert.
Location: Pasar Badung, Denpasar, Bali
Klepon
Klepon is one of Bali’s most popular market snacks. It is made from glutinous rice flour filled with liquid brown sugar, then shaped into a round and wrapped in grated coconut. It’s sweet and chewy, with a brown sugar sensation that explodes in your mouth when you bite into it. Klepon is often served as a snack or dessert and is best enjoyed with Balinese tea or coffee.
Klepon can be found in almost every warung or traditional Balinese market. One of the best places to enjoy authentic klepon is at traditional markets such as Ubud Market or Badung Market.
Location: Ubud Market or Badung Market, Bali
Bali is a tourist destination that offers more than just beautiful beaches and rich culture. Balinese cuisine is also a major attraction that should not be missed by tourists. From the mouth-watering babi guling to the sweet and chewy klepon, Balinese cuisine provides an unforgettable taste experience. Be sure to sample these 7 culinary recommendations in Bali to enjoy the unique flavors of the Island of the Gods.
So, when you’re on vacation in Bali, don’t just focus on its natural beauty, but also explore and enjoy the rich culinary offerings. Balinese cuisine will provide a satisfying gastronomic experience and complete your trip on the island. For those of you who want to plan a trip to Bali easily, you can order tour packages along with affordable villas from us.