Bali is a food lover’s paradise, offering a wide range of local dishes that reflect its diverse cultural influences. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular local foods in Bali:
Nasi Campur: A popular Balinese dish that consists of a plate of rice topped with a variety of side dishes, such as vegetables, meat, fish, and sambal (spicy sauce).
Babi Guling: One of Bali’s most famous dishes, babi guling is a whole roasted pig stuffed with a blend of spices and herbs, served with rice and vegetables.
Lawar: A traditional Balinese salad made with mixed vegetables, grated coconut, and minced meat, seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs.
Sate Lilit: A skewered meat dish made with minced meat and spices, wrapped around a stick of lemongrass or bamboo, and grilled over an open flame.
Bebek Betutu: A Balinese-style roasted duck, marinated in a mixture of spices and herbs, and cooked in a banana leaf for several hours.
Ayam Betutu: Similar to Bebek Betutu, Ayam Betutu is a chicken dish that’s marinated in a blend of spices and herbs and then steamed or roasted.
Mie Goreng: A popular Indonesian fried noodle dish, typically made with egg noodles, meat or vegetables, and flavored with soy sauce, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and spices.
Nasi Jinggo: A cheap and popular street food in Bali, Nasi Jinggo is a small portion of rice, topped with sambal, fried tempeh, and peanuts, wrapped in banana leaves.
Pisang Goreng: Deep-fried banana fritters, served as a snack or dessert, often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea.
Bubur Injin: A sweet dessert made from black rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar, often served with sliced banana and coconut milk.
Gado-Gado: A popular Indonesian salad made with mixed vegetables, tofu, and boiled eggs, dressed with peanut sauce.
Nasi Goreng: Indonesia’s version of fried rice, typically made with leftover rice, vegetables, and meat or shrimp, seasoned with soy sauce, kecap manis, and spices.
Soto Ayam: A traditional Indonesian chicken soup, typically made with turmeric, lemongrass, and other spices, served with rice noodles and hard-boiled eggs.
Lawar Kuwir: A variation of Lawar, Lawar Kuwir is made with raw pork meat, mixed with vegetables and spices, and served with rice.
Sambal Matah: A popular Balinese condiment made with raw shallots, lemongrass, chilies, and lime juice, typically served with grilled fish or meat.
Jajan Pasar: A type of traditional Balinese snack, typically sold in local markets, made with rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar.
Tempeh: A traditional Indonesian food made from soybeans, typically fried and served as a snack or used in dishes such as nasi goreng or gado-gado.
Es Campur: A popular Indonesian dessert made with mixed fruits, shaved ice, and syrup, often topped with condensed milk and tapioca pearls.
Kopi Luwak: A famous Balinese coffee, made from coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by a civet cat, then roasted to make a rich and unique-tasting coffee.
These are just a few of the most popular local foods in Bali. Bali’s cuisine is diverse, and each region has its unique specialties, so be sure to explore the local food scene and try as many dishes as you can during your visit.
