By
The Bali Tragic.
If you’re not sampling the local food when you’re in Bali, you’re seriously missing out – it’s one of my favourite things to do. These Bali dishes are available at local market stalls, roadside warungs, or fancy restaurants and are easy to find and it’s delicious and cheap.
Nasi Campur
Campur means mixed, and that’s indeed what you’ll find when you order this dish which is a real favourite with locals and visitors. Almost every restaurant has their own take on this dish, so it does differ from place to place. The centre-piece is white rice, surrounded by selections of beef rendang, grilled chicken, tempeh, fried or hard-boiled eggs, a selection of vegetables (Sayur Urab) and sometimes a satay stick. Served with a classic Balinese spicy sambal and a crunchy prawn cracker, it’s very tasty. This dish is simply a showcase of all the best food you’ll find across Bali. A great way to sample different foods.
Where to eat – Warung Krishna, JL Kutat Lestari.
Babi Guling
Being that Bali is predominantly Hindu it’s not surprising to find that one of the most eaten meals is this pork dish. Babi guling is one of the most celebrated Bali dishes. In the past, a babi guling feast was reserved for big celebrations; today it’s one of the most sought-after dishes for locals and expats alike. Babi Guling is among the most beloved of all Bali dishes. The suckling pig is cooked for hours, slow-turned over a hot-coal fire. It’s coated in a spice mix of garlic, ginger, turmeric, and other ingredients which make up a paste called Basa Gede—giving a delicious spicy flavour to the meat and crispy skin. These Bali dishes always come served with white fluffy rice and stewed vegetables and a few pieces of crispy skin, the meat is melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Where to eat – Warung Pan Joss Babi Guling, Bypass Ngurah Rai.
Nasi & Mie Goreng
This would have to be classed as a national dish in Indonesia. The Nasi and Mie Goreng are classic Bali dishes — the nasi (rice) or mie (noodle) goreng is a local favourite and also for many of us who visit Bali. There are so many variations to this dish dependant on where you’re dining. Generally, it’s rice mixed with vegetables then topped with a fried or scrambled egg and dried shallots. Sides include pickles, prawn crackers, and sticks of either chicken or beef satay, with sliced tomatoes and cucumber on the side. When you find one you love, you’ll be hooked. My favourite is this one!
Where to eat – Warung Baby Monkeys, JL Sudamala.
Martabak
Martabak is one of the greatest Bali dishes you will ever encounter on the street, sweet or savoury, watching this dish it being made is almost as good as eating it. Once your order is placed, the vendor will prepare the filling with eggs and vegetables. Then a ball of dough is placed onto an oiled surface, stretched until it’s very thin and fried in a shallow pan. It bubbles instantly then filled with the omelette mixture, sliced green onions and cilantro. It cooks fast, the dough is folded around the mixture until a neat rectangle is formed. Once cooked, it’s sliced into squares and served with hot chillies and pickled vegetables. The sweet version looks more like a giant crumpet, and with fillings such as chocolate, condensed milk and cheese. It’s a great dessert and a chance to dine with the locals.
Where to eat – try it at the Sindhu Night Market, JL Pungatan.
Dadar Gulung
Dadar Gulung is the sweet Bali dish I dream about most between visits. This Bali dish is stunning. Thick crepes, coloured green with pandan leaves, are filled with fresh coconut and palm sugar. They are so fresh and light and made even better with a dollop of vanilla ice cream!
Where to eat – Warung Makan SMS Sanur. Jl Betngandang.
Among all the incredible Bali dishes available across the island, these five are the ones that most completely represent the soul of the island’s culinary heritage. Make sure you try each of these Bali dishes before you leave. of what the island’s food scene has to offer. For more on Balinese food culture and where to stay while you explore it, read our guides to Balinese cuisine, Bali traditional villages, and Bali luxury villas. For background on Indonesian food, see Indonesian cuisine on Wikipedia.
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