Balinese Mix of Flavours

Besides the emblematic rice paddies, pristine beaches, scenic routes, resort towns, and coral reefs, the Island of Bali is a heaven for culinary lovers. After an exciting day visiting the Tanah Lot, Bali Safari, and Marine Park or surfing and scuba diving at the colorful Uluwatu’s beaches, let’s refuel your energy with some authentic Balinese foods!

The food in Bali mostly revolves around local produces like plantains, rice, jaggery, coconut, vegetables, pork meats, and seafood. If you are missing Bali and planning to add Balinese food to your order bucket, here is a list of food to try!

Sate Babi
Satay or grilled skewered meat can be found almost everywhere in Southeast Asia, but Sate Babi or Pork Satay is best relished in Bali. Perfectly skewered and blended with an array of local spices, it is made of minced pork meat grilled over charcoal or an open fire which imparts a little bit of spiciness and sweetness to the morsel melded around a wooden stick. The crispiness of the pork skin layered with a fatty juicy meat is perfect companion to be enjoyed with a plate of steamy rice.

Nasi Campur Bali
Nasi Campur Bali or Balinese Mix Rice is a mixture of various fresh vegetables and other side dishes added harmoniously onto the plate that is known as a mix of Balinese rice dish. It is served alongside several local side dishes like long beans with hot chili sambal and fried peanuts, coconut and cucumber salad or fried chicken in sweet soya sauce. The meal is light and simple yet palatable. It is perfect for those who typically prefer to dine on this a-little-bit-of-everything dish that is practical for every meal.

Ayam Betutu
Ayam Betutu (Balinese Chicken) is one of the most unique dishes on the menu of Bali’s restaurants. This seasoned mouthwatering dish consists of chicken stuffed with a mix of spices and wrapped in banana leaves and coconut husks. They are then traditionally cooked underground to a tender softness in a pit of charcoal for up to 24 hours. The rich Bumbu Betutu sauce is made from uncooked onion slices mixed with red chili peppers and coconut oil.

Sambal Matah
Prepare yourself for an explosion of flavour! Sambal Matah is widely known all over the world for its mix of spiciness, sourness, saltiness and freshness. Expect a different experience in eating sambal, because Sambal Matah is served all raw. The term matah actually derives from the word mentah (raw) depicting how it is processed. Tomatoes, onion, orange leaves, and lime juice are all chopped finely, stirred and mixed into one bowl. Then, your Sambal Matah can be enjoyed with a simple fried chicken or grilled fish.

Lawar
This unique Balinese meat salad is traditionally cooked using minced pork or shredded chicken, jackfruit, grated coconut, chopped vegetables, galangal, chilies, and local spices. This dish is commonly found in restaurants and warungs all over Bali, and has become synonymous with Balinese food. You will often find this as a side dish in traditional Balinese restaurants. Despite its rich vegetable mixture, this is not a vegetarian dish – they are often mixed with mince meat, or even blood!