Explore a variety of mouth-watering Balinese culinary delights, with unique flavors that are a must-try during your visit to the Island of the Gods.
Bali, an island known as the “Island of the Gods,” not only offers extraordinary natural beauty, but also a variety of mouth-watering culinary delights.
Balinese cuisine has a unique and rich taste influenced by local culture, traditions and the abundant natural ingredients on this island. From meat, fish, to vegetable dishes, Bali has a myriad of food choices to suit all tastes.
For those of you who are planning a vacation to Bali and want to explore its local cuisine, here are 10 Balinese Culinary Specialties that you must try. Each dish not only offers delicious flavors, but also carries a deep story and history about Balinese culture.
1. Suckling Pig
Suckling Pig is one of the most famous culinary delights in Bali. This dish is usually served at traditional events or big celebrations, and can also be found in traditional food stalls spread throughout Bali.
Suckling Pig is made from pork seasoned with Balinese spices, then grilled to perfection until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.
Usually, Suckling Pig is served with rice, lawar (a Balinese salad), sambal matah (raw chili sauce with sliced chilies, onions, and lemongrass), and crispy pork skin crackers.
The process of cooking Suckling Pig involves rich spices , such as turmeric, ginger, coriander, and garlic, which give it a savory and slightly spicy taste. Suckling Pig is a dish that is very popular with tourists who want to experience the authentic taste of Bali.
2. Chicken Betutu
Ayam Betutu is a typical Balinese dish which is famous for its rich spices and unique cooking techniques. Ayam Betutu is made from chicken seasoned with a mixture of spicy and aromatic Balinese spices, such as candlenuts, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and chili.
After being seasoned, the chicken is wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or steamed for a long time, so that the meat becomes very tender and full of flavor.
Ayam Betutu is often served with white rice and spicy shrimp paste chili sauce. This dish is a favorite among tourists looking for traditional Balinese cuisine with a rich and spicy taste.
3. Sate Lilit
Sate Lilit is a variant of Balinese satay that is different from satay in general. This satay is made from finely ground chicken, fish, or pork mixed with grated coconut, spices, and herbs, then wrapped around lemongrass stalks or skewers. After that, this satay is grilled until cooked and browned.
Sate Lilit is usually served with spicy sambal matah and rice. Its savory and slightly spicy taste makes sate lilit one of the most popular dishes in Bali, both in street food stalls and in fancy restaurants.
4. Balinese Mixed Rice
Balinese Mixed Rice is a dish that combines various types of side dishes, vegetables, and chili sauce on top of white rice.
Balinese Mixed Rice usually consists of shredded chicken, sate lilit, lawar, serundeng (fried grated coconut), boiled egg, and sambal matah. Every part of this dish has a rich and mouth-watering flavor.
This dish is very popular among locals and tourists alike, as it combines various flavor elements in one plate that is a treat for the palate. Balinese Mixed Rice is also often served as a menu for breakfast or lunch, and can be found in almost every restaurant or food stall in Bali.
5. Lawar
Lawar is a Balinese specialty dish consisting of a traditional salad made from a mixture of vegetables, grated coconut, spices, and minced meat (usually pork, chicken, or duck). Lawar is usually served as a complement to main dishes, such as Suckling Pig or Balinese Mixed Rice.
There are several variations of Lawar, such as Red Lawar which uses cow or pig blood to give a more distinctive and rich taste. Lawar is one of Bali’s culinary specialties that is very popular, both among local residents and tourists.
6. Balinese Oxtail Soup
Balinese Oxtail Soup is a soup made from oxtail cooked with Balinese spices. This soup is served with a rich broth and tender oxtail meat. Balinese Oxtail Soup is usually served with white rice, chili sauce, and chopped spring onions.
The taste of this soup is very savory with a little spicy taste from the spices used. Balinese Oxtail Soup is perfect for lunch or dinner and can be found in various restaurants in Bali that serve traditional cuisine.
7. Nasi Jinggo
Nasi Jinggo is a Balinese rice dish served in small portions with various side dishes such as shredded chicken, chili sauce, and serundeng.
This dish is wrapped in banana leaves, making it easy to carry to eat anywhere. Despite its small portion, Nasi Jinggo is very delicious and filling, making it one of the favorite dishes for tourists who want to enjoy practical and delicious Balinese cuisine.
8. Steamed Fish
Pepes Ikan is a fish dish seasoned with Balinese spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or steamed.
The fish used is usually fresh fish such as snapper, tuna, or baronang fish. The spices used in Pepes Ikan consist of turmeric, lemongrass, chili, and basil leaves, which give a fresh and spicy taste to this dish.
Pepes Ikan is often served with white rice, sambal, and fresh vegetables , making it a very delicious and healthy dish. This dish is also suitable for visitors who want to try Balinese cuisine based on fish.
9. Raw Sambal
Sambal Matah is a typical Balinese chili sauce made from a mixture of shallots, chilies, lemongrass, lime leaves, and coconut oil.
This chili sauce has a distinctive fresh spicy taste and is perfect to accompany various Balinese dishes, such as Babi Guling, Ayam Betutu, or Sate Lilit. Sambal Matah has a unique taste, because it uses fresh ingredients that are not cooked, giving a fresh and sharp taste sensation.
For those of you who like spicy chili sauce, Sambal Matah is the right choice to complement your meal while on holiday in Bali.
10. Balinese Klepon
Balinese Klepon is a traditional cake made from green sticky rice wrapped in grated coconut. Inside the Klepon is liquid brown sugar that will melt when bitten, giving a distinctive sweet taste. This food is often served as a snack or souvenir typical of Bali which is sweet and chewy.
Balinese Klepon is easy to find in traditional markets or souvenir shops in Bali. Its sweet taste and chewy texture make Klepon a snack that is loved by many people.
Balinese cuisine offers a very rich and unique taste experience. From meat-based dishes to sweet snacks , Bali has everything to pamper your taste buds. Each dish not only illustrates the deep local flavors, but also introduces you to the rich culture and traditions that exist on this island. If you are on holiday in Bali, don’t forget to try the 10 Balinese culinary specialties mentioned above and explore Typical Bali Souvenirs to bring home.
That way, you can taste the deliciousness and uniqueness of the food while also taking a piece of the cultural heritage of the Island of the Gods with you.
