When we visit a new place, what’s one of the first things we like to try out? The food of the place we’re visiting, of course. If this is your very first trip to Bali, then you’re in for an absolute treat, because the food of Bali is as diverse as its culture, containing a wide array of spices, such as turmeric, cloves, and cumin. Turmeric is, in fact, quite commonly present in much of Bali’s food as the people of Bali consider turmeric to be very beneficial, which is something you will experience firsthand through our Bali tour packages.
Much of Bali’s food is influenced by Indian and Chinese cuisine, which is why you will find a delightful combination of the two cultures in Balinese cuisine. Let’s walk you through some of the food items you must try during your trip to Bali.
Nasi campur is a staple dish in Bali, with ‘campur’ being a loose translation of ‘a mix of everything’. It mainly consists of steamed rice along with a variety of side dishes in small portions, such as satay, shredded chicken, grilled meat, sambal, bean sprouts, tempe, and tofu.
The dish is almost like a Balinese tasting platter, with every chef having their own style of making it and each restaurant serving it in a different manner. Although nasi campur is found in numerous parts of Indonesia, the element which makes the Balinese version is the presence of the spices that are commonly found in Balinese cuisine.
Babi guling, which is also known as roast suckling pig, is among the most famous foods of Bali. It’s not common to find this dish outside Bali, mainly because pork isn’t available in most parts of Indonesia as it’s still considered as taboo among Indonesians and is forbidden in Islam.
The dish is normally a part of celebrations and was once served primarily at special occasions or religious gatherings. However, as tourism kept growing in Bali, the dish was eventually included at various restaurants to be consumed by the tourists. The pig is first marinated using several spices, after which it is slow roasted over an open fire.
Satay or sate is a beloved street food in both Bali and all of Indonesia. These are skewers of grilled meat that are available in numerous varieties, such as chicken, beef, mutton, goat, and pork. There are also satay versions available of eggs, tofu, fish, and minced blends.
Sate lilit is a very common type of satay tourists will find in Bali. It can be made using minced beef, pork, fish, chicken, and sometimes even turtle meat. The meat is combined with coconut milk, coconut, and a variety of spices and vegetables. The concoction is then wrapped around a stick made of bamboo, lemongrass, or sugarcane and then grilled well over charcoal.
Nasi ayam, which also goes by the name of chicken rice, is a dish that is quite synonymous with Balinese cuisine. It consists of a bowl of steamed rice along with satay, boiled egg, shredded chicken, French bean salad, sambal, and roasted peanuts. The mixture of all the flavors feels like a delightful explosion within the mouth of the one who consumes it.
The satay that is included is usually made of fish and is marinated along with the chicken and then grilled well. While the chicken is served shredded, the fish satay is served on a stick.
Nasi goreng, also known as Indonesian/Bali fried rice, is an all time favorite both among locals and tourists. Multiple spices are mixed to create a thick paste, which is then added to boiled rice and the mixture is cooked over a slow flame.
The dish consists of an eclectic variety of vegetables and meats, including chicken, beef, eggs, shrimp, lamb, anchovies, crab, onions, green peas, and shallots. Nasi goreng usually comes with toppings, such as fried shallots, sliced cucumbers or tomatoes, shrimp or fish crackers, and mixed pickles. Until the dish is completely cooked, the chef keeps adding butter to the pile of fried rice to add to the taste and richness of it all.
If you like having coconut in your food, then lawar is something you must try during your vacation in Bali. Grated coconut is what it is primarily made from, after which bits of chicken skin and minced jackfruit are added to the mix, along with coconut milk and chilies.
While the chicken skin adds to the chewy texture of the dish, the sweetness of it is brought out owing to the coconut milk and jackfruit. The ingredients that go into lawar are usually mixed by hand, and tradition asks for it to be served on a banana leaf.
Sambal matah is an Indonesian salsa or dressing which is a common part of Balinese cuisine. Although every chef makes it differently, the traditional form of sambal matah includes garlic, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and chili peppers. It often also contains coconut oil, shallots, and shrimp paste. Numerous dishes in Bali make use of sambal matah as a marinade or base.
Ayam is the Malay word for chicken, and ayam betutu refers to a dish where a chicken is slow cooked, making it a go to dish for the ones who don’t prefer pork. For this dish, a whole chicken is stuffed and seasoned by making use of a unique Balinese spice paste.
The chicken is then wrapped in banana leaves and banana tree bark, after which it is baked for anywhere between six to seven hours. At times the chicken is cooked in the coal fire. The aroma of this concoction is so strong that you are bound to remember it for ages to come.
Durian is often given the title of ‘the king of fruits’ and is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. It’s very popular in Indonesia and is consumed quite frequently. The outer appearance of the fruit is greenish yellow in color, with spikes on its body and an oval shape.
The smell of the fruit is quite overpowering, and durian is known to make an appearance in various dishes as well as milkshakes found in Bali. Some people also eat it raw.
