Find the Best Food in Bali: Must-Try Dishes & Drinks
Bali is one of the most beautiful places on earth also referred to as the island of gods and aside from the beautiful beaches and the green rice terrains it boasts a very colorful and diverse food culture.
Balinese food is a blend of Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian foods as a result of the culture of Bali. For the gourmets, the search for the best food in Bali is a sensual experience and the feeling of the nature of Balinese hospitality.
So, sit back and let us indulge you with this delicious guide to the best food you can get in Bali. You’ll be taken through the complete overview of Balinese food from the staple foods to the local delicacies, vegetarian foods, and other exclusive eating regimes.
Traditional Balinese Dishes
It would be rather unjustified to speak about Balinese cuisine without mentioning the local delicacies. These are traditional recipes which are fundamental in the Bali food list and give an authentic Balinese taste.
- Babi Guling: Grilled with spices, suckling pig marinated with spices then roasted in a spit. This dish is normally prepared during ceremonious occasions or any other festive event.
- Bebek Betutu: A whole animal of duck or chicken marinated and slow-cooked in a spice paste for hours and then wrapped in banana leaver and coconut shells and baked in a pit oven. It is tasty and has a rich, deep aroma.
- Lawar: A dish that is prepared using chopped meat of chicken, pork, duck, or turtle, different vegetables, coconut, and spices. This subcategory is divided into red (with blood) and white (without blood).
- Nasi Campur: A type of rice with many side dishes such as fried chicken, fried tofu, green beans in coconut milk, and sambal.
Must-Try Seafood Delicacies
Since Bali is an island located in the southern part of Indonesia, particularly a coastal area, it would be logical to assume that fish and other seafood products would be the specialties of Bali cuisine. Here are some seafood dishes that should be on every food lover’s Bali food list:
- Udang Bakar Jimbaran: Freshwater prawn prepared and grilled on charcoal with coconut shell for that extra flavor. Pleasant tastes are obtained from fresh juicy prawns and the mixed sauce with strong garlicky and spicy, sour and salty tastes.
- Ikan Bakar: Grilled fish covered with a choice of either mild or hot spices, and the fish choice is snapper or barramundi. Both are very delicious and don’t miss it.
- Tuna Sambal Matah: Fish in spicy sauce; this dish uses sambal matah, an ingredient originating from the Balinese people.
- Sambal Udang: Shrimp which are cooked fresh shrimp, sambal matah and coconut milk. This is a common Balinese dish that tantalizes your taste buds.
- Serapah Penyu: Seafood that consists of squids, clams and fish in spices and which is served with rice which is also steamed.
Food in Bali for Vegetarians
Bali is a real paradise for all vegetarians and vegans as there are so many opportunities to adhere to a meatless diet in Bali. Here are some must-try vegetarian dishes:
- Gado Gado: A style of preparing vegetables without cooking them and commonly taken raw with a peanut sauce.
- Nasi Goreng: An Indonesian dish of fried rice with vegetables and spices, may be served as a vegetarian or vegan meal.
- Nasi Campur: Nasi campur is a kind of mixed rice and is popular in Bali; and the food is also vegan most of the time.
- Lotek: This is also like gado-gado; the vegetables are steamed, the eggs are boiled, and the sauce is thick peanut with little taste of shrimp paste. Yet, you can easily find vegan versions of the dish that don’t use shrimp paste.
- Cap Cay: This is a vegetable and tofu/tempeh with some seafood or other protein-containing food that is stir-fried. Most are vegetarian and vegan, so eating it is as good as taking your required vegetable intake for the day.
Street Food in Bali
Street food is a great way to taste Balinese cuisine, and it is also financially responsible to have your Food in Bali price budget. Some street food favorites you shouldn’t miss:
- Babi Guling: A piglet marinated with herbs and roasted whole and it is usually accompanied by sticky rice, crackling and peanuts. It is a Balinese food and is commonly sold at many of the markets and food stalls.
- Sate Babi: Barbecued pork on charcoal, accompanied with peanut sauce or chilli sauce, and lontong (a compact rice cake).
- Pisang Goreng: Banana fritters which are slices of bananas that can be covered with sweet syrup and sesame seeds.
- Bakso: An Indonesian dish that is made up of meatballs and served hot in a soup of noodles and vegetables.
- Jaje Bali: A type of sweet food that is produced from rice flour and sticky rice, can be accompanied by coconut and palm sugar. It is one of those snacks that is commonly found in night markets.
- Nasi Jinggo: Usually, it is a small bowl of rice and small dishes of different things plus sweet soy sauce.
Balinese Drinks and Desserts
No meal is complete without a drink and dessert. Here are some Balinese beverages and sweet treats to try:
- Es Kelapa Kopyor: Served with sweet, spongy flesh, syrup, and ice, this drink is made from mutated Kelapa Kopyor coconuts. This is slightly expensive because these coconuts are quite rare in the market.
- Rujak Bir: A drink prepared from the mixture of water from Klungkung, sugar, coconut scrapings, and lime juice.
- Teh Tarik: A dessert drink with a basis of black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and often with spice additions such as cardamom or cinnamon. It is best consumed either hot or cold and is commonly consumed in many places in Bali.
- Martabak: A type of pancake that is large and has a sweet or savory filling of coconut, sugar, and peanut butter among others.
- Dadar Gulung: Delicious coconut and palm sugar-filled pancakes that are more on the sweet side.
Best Areas for Culinary Exploration
While you can find great food all over Bali, some areas are particularly known for their culinary scenes:
- Ubud: As a tourism center of arts and culture, Ubud has a large variety of eating places ranging from the local cafes to the fine dining restaurants.
- Seminyak: This wonderful place is famous for the costly hotels and eating joints in this part of the world. There is Kayuputi and Shelter, where you can have a fine dining experience with the perfect view.
- Canggu: This is a recreational city with many cafés and restaurants that are concerned with people’s welfare. It is loved by vegans and vegetarians, so there are options like I Am Vegan Babe and Secret Spot.
- Denpasar: Denpasar is the capital city of Bali and the largest market in Bali is Badung and here you can find food stalls and Balinese delicacies.
- Nusa Dua: This is one of the luxurious areas of beachside motels and several of the most superior restaurants in the country.
- Jimbaran: This coastal city is well known for seafood binges and you can eat grilled fish, prawns and squid right on the beach.
Tips for Food Safety and Etiquette
It is crucial when you are in Bali to be very careful with the food and adhere to the culture to ensure you have a healthy and pleasant trip. Here are some essential tips to follow:
- Fresh Food: Choose meals that are properly prepared and are freshly made. Avoid taking any expired food or any food that has been left out for a very long time. Do not take raw or partially cooked meat, poultry, or seafood.
- Safe Water: Drink only water in sealed bottled water only. Avoid drinking tap water, ice, and any other beverages made with tap water. Consider water filters or filtered bottles.
- Mind Your Food Source: Take meals in hygienically clean and recognized places. Street foods from vendors with poor hygiene should not be taken. Ensure restaurants are clean and prefer places with many people.
- Keep Hands Clean: The use of hand washing with soap and water before/after eating or the use of hand sanitizer when water and soap are not available.
- Food Poisoning Awareness: Be alert for signs of diarrhea and/or vomiting, fever, or stomach pains. If you notice any of the aforementioned indications, consult a doctor.
Conclusion
This Bali is a place with wonderful and exotic viewings, and the food which is served in Bali is also wonderful and exotic. Some of the famous Bali food is the delicious Babi Guling to the healthy Gado-Gado. It has varieties from juicy steaks to fresh fish from pasta to cheese thus giving you the meal of your desire.
As a result, it is recommended to be less shy when moving around the island. Try something different, go to the local warungs, and try many Balinese dishes. But you should not forget that it is not only the taste of the Balinese food, but the touch, sight, and even the taste of the Balinese culture.
Thus, with the help of this guideline to find the best food in Bali, you can proceed with your food search. Your palate will not regret the decision and you will be wiser for having been to the splendid Island of God’s food.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(1). What are famous Bali food?
Babi Guling (suckling pig) and Nasi Campur, mixed rice are among the most popular foods in Bali due to its delicious taste and variety of ingredients.
(2). What is the national food of Bali?
Nasi Goreng, a delicious fried rice dish that is usually accompanied with a fried egg is one of the favorite foods of the nation but Bali has no specific dish that can be called national.
(3). What does breakfast look like in Bali?
A Balinese breakfast is usually Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng or Bubur Ayam, which is chicken porridge, and they are usually taken with fruits.
(4). Is it costly to eat in Bali?
Street food and meals in small family-run shops called warung can be as cheap as 30,000-50,000 IDR ($2-$4) per portion.
(5). Is it safe to eat Bali Street food?
Yes, Bali Street food is quite safe and tasty if you select stalls that have many customers and clean preparation areas.
(6). What to drink in Bali?
Some of the local beverages are Bali coffee, fresh coconut water, and Arak which is a local distilled spirit. You should not fail to order for Teh Botol, a sweet iced tea.
(7). Where to buy food in Bali?
Food can be purchased at markets, hawkers, small food stalls called warungs and even in supermarkets. Some of the well-known markets are Pasar Badung located in Denpasar and Bintang Supermarket located in Seminyak.