Bali’s culinary landscape offers a mesmerizing journey through centuries of tradition, blending exotic spices, fresh ingredients, and time-honored cooking techniques. From aromatic street food to elaborate ceremonial dishes, Balinese cuisine tells the story of an island where food is not just sustenance but a celebration of culture and community.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through Bali’s famous foods with recommendations on where to find them and how to enjoy these local delicacies best.
Top Non-Vegetarian Bali Dishes to Savour
1. Bebek Betutu (Spiced Duck)
This royal Balinese dish involves marinating duck in a paste of over 15 spices before wrapping it in banana leaves. The meat is then slow-cooked for 24 hours, resulting in incredibly tender meat that falls off the bone.
- Must try: 24-hour slow-cooked duck with traditional spices
- Price Range: IDR 150,000-250,000 (INR 789-1,315)
- Best Served With: Plecing kangkung and sambal
2. Ikan Bakar Jimbaran
Fresh-caught fish marinated in Jimbaran’s secret spice blend and grilled over coconut husks. The cooking method imparts a subtle smokiness while maintaining the fish’s natural flavors, complemented by the aromatic spice paste.
- Must try: Grilled snapper or tuna with Jimbaran-style spices
- Price Range: IDR 100,000-200,000 (INR 526-1,052)
- Best Served With: Plecing kangkung and sambal seafood
Suggested Reading: Bangladesh Famous Food
3. Sate Lilit (Balinese Minced Meat Satay)
A unique twist on traditional satay, featuring minced meat mixed with grated coconut, spices, and lime leaves. The mixture is wrapped around lemongrass sticks or bamboo skewers before being grilled to perfection.
- Must try: Grilled minced meat with aromatic spices
- Price Range: IDR 30,000-50,000 (INR 158-263)
- Best Served With: Sambal matah and rice cakes
4. Kerang Rebus (Boiled Clams)
A simple yet delicious seafood dish, featuring fresh clams boiled with lime leaves, lemongrass, and chili for a natural, zesty flavor.
- Must try: Freshly boiled clams with Balinese spices
- Price Range: IDR 50,000-100,000 (INR 263-526)
- Best Served With: Sambal matah and lime wedges
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Italy
5. Tuna Sambal Matah
Fresh tuna chunks, grilled and topped with sambal matah, highlight the fish’s natural flavors and the sambal’s spiciness.
- Must try: Grilled tuna with zesty sambal
- Price Range: IDR 100,000-150,000 (INR 526-789)
- Best Served With: Balinese rice
Best Vegetarian Bali Cuisines to Try
6. Nasi Goreng Sayur
Balinese vegetable fried rice cooked with a special spice paste and local vegetables. The dish gets its unique flavor from kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and is typically topped with pickled vegetables and crushed peanuts.
- Must try: Traditional vegetable fried rice with house-made spice paste
- Price Range: IDR 25,000-45,000 (INR 132-237)
- Best Served With: Krupuk and acar
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in UK
7. Pepes Jamur
Mushrooms marinated in Balinese spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled. The banana leaves impart a subtle flavor while keeping the mushrooms moist and allowing them to absorb the spices fully.
- Must try: Grilled mushroom parcels with traditional spices
- Price Range: IDR 30,000-50,000 (INR 158-263)
- Best Served With: Steamed rice and sambal matah
8. Lawar Nangka
Young jackfruit cooked with grated coconut, spices, and herbs. This traditional dish offers a unique texture and is packed with flavors from the complex spice mixture and fresh herbs.
- Must try: Spiced young jackfruit with coconut
- Price Range: IDR 20,000-35,000 (INR 105-184)
- Best Served With: Steamed rice and sambal
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Sweden
9. Tempe Goreng (Fried Fermented Soybean Cake)
A crispy, protein-packed snack, often enjoyed with sambal or kecap manis.
- Must try: Crispy fried tempeh
- Price Range: IDR 15,000-30,000 (INR 79-158)
- Best Served With: Sambal or sweet soy sauce
10. Lontong Sayur (Rice Cakes with Vegetable Curry)
Compressed rice cakes served with a coconut milk vegetable curry, topped with fried shallots.
- Must try: Rice cakes with rich vegetable curry
- Price Range: IDR 20,000-35,000 (INR 105-184)
- Best Served With: Sambal and fried tofu
Suggested Reading: Nightlife in Bali
Popular Street Foods in Bali
11. Jagung Bakar (Grilled Corn)
Charcoal-grilled corn brushed with a mix of sweet soy sauce and margarine for a smoky flavor.
- Must try: Smoky grilled corn with sweet and salty glaze
- Price Range: IDR 10,000-20,000 (INR 53-105)
- Best Served With: Extra sambal
12. Pisang Goreng
Crispy fried bananas coated in a special batter that creates a delightfully crunchy exterior. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas combines perfectly with the crispy coating.
- Must try: Traditional fried bananas with palm sugar syrup
- Price Range: IDR 10,000-20,000 (INR 53-105)
- Best Served With: Palm sugar syrup and vanilla ice cream
Suggested Reading: Bali in February
13. Bakso Bali
Balinese-style meatballs are served in an aromatic broth with noodles and vegetables. The meatballs are made with a unique blend of spices that sets them apart from other Indonesian versions.
- Must try: Spiced meatballs with clear broth and egg noodles
- Price Range: IDR 15,000-30,000 (INR 79-158)
- Best Served With: Chili sauce and kecap manis
14. Tipat Cantok
A unique Balinese take on mixed vegetable salad with compressed rice cakes. The vegetables are blanched to perfection and served with a rich peanut sauce that’s made fresh daily using locally sourced peanuts and traditional spices.
- Must try: Rice cake salad with signature peanut dressing
- Price Range: IDR 15,000-25,000 (INR 79-132)
- Best Served With: Extra spicy sambal and krupuk
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Russia
15. Tahu Tek
Fried tofu served with a special sauce made from ground peanuts, petis (fish paste), and palm sugar. The dish showcases how Balinese cuisine transforms simple ingredients into complex flavor experiences.
- Must try: Crispy tofu with sweet-savory peanut sauce
- Price Range: IDR 20,000-35,000 (INR 105-184)
- Best Served With: Bean sprouts and crackers
Best Desserts in Bali
16. Bubur Injin
Black rice pudding cooked with pandan leaves and coconut milk, topped with fresh coconut cream. This traditional dessert takes hours to prepare as the black rice needs to be slowly simmered until perfectly tender.
- Must try: Warm black rice pudding with coconut cream
- Price Range: IDR 20,000-35,000 (INR 105-184)
- Best Served With: Fresh tropical fruits
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Japan
17. Klepon
Sweet rice cake balls filled with palm sugar and rolled in freshly grated coconut. When eaten, these bite-sized treats burst with liquid palm sugar, creating a delightful surprise.
- Must try: Fresh palm sugar-filled rice balls
- Price Range: IDR 5,000-15,000 (INR 26-79)
- Best Served With: Balinese coffee or ginger tea
18. Es Daluman
A refreshing green jelly drink made from daluman leaves (Cyclea barbata), served with coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. This cooling dessert is particularly popular during hot afternoons.
- Must try: Traditional green jelly drink with coconut milk
- Price Range: IDR 10,000-20,000 (INR 53-105)
- Best Served With: Extra palm sugar syrup
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Australia
19. Jaja Bali
Colorful traditional Balinese sweets made from rice flour, palm sugar, and natural colorings. These ceremonial treats come in various shapes and colors, each with its own symbolic meaning.
- Must try: Assorted traditional rice flour sweets
- Price Range: IDR 15,000-30,000 (INR 79-158)
- Best Served With: Balinese tea
20. Pisang Rai
Boiled bananas coated in rice flour and grated coconut flavored with pandan leaves. This unique preparation method creates a chewy exterior while maintaining the banana’s natural sweetness.
- Must try: Traditional boiled banana dessert
- Price Range: IDR 10,000-20,000 (INR 53-105)
- Best Served With: Palm sugar syrup
Suggested Reading: Famous Food in Spain
Tips for Enjoying Balinese Cuisine
Here are some valuable tips to enhance your culinary journey in Bali:
- Start your day early to experience local markets’ freshest traditional breakfast options.
- Don’t hesitate to eat at warungs – these family-run establishments often serve the most authentic dishes at reasonable prices.
- When trying street food, look for busy stalls with high turnover to ensure freshness.
- Inform vendors about your spice preference – Balinese cuisine can be adjusted to suit different tolerance levels.
- Learn basic Indonesian phrases for ordering food:
- “Pedas” – Spicy
- “Tidak pedas” – Not spicy
- “Terima kasih” – Thank you
- “Enak” – Delicious
Where to Find the Best Food in Different Regions
Ubud
Known as Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud offers the most authentic traditional Balinese cuisine. Visit the Ubud Food Market in the morning for local breakfast specialties and fresh ingredients.
Seminyak
This trendy area combines traditional flavors with modern presentation. You’ll find upscale restaurants alongside authentic warungs.
Jimbaran
Famous for its beachfront seafood restaurants, this area specializes in grilled fish and shellfish served with traditional Balinese sambals.
Denpasar
The capital city offers the most diverse range of local food, from street vendors to traditional restaurants, often at the most authentic prices.
Food Safety and Etiquette
When enjoying Balinese cuisine, keep these important points in mind –
- Drink bottled water and ensure ice comes from filtered water sources.
- At traditional ceremonies or home invitations, wait to be served and follow the lead of your hosts.
- Use your right hand for eating, as the left hand is considered unclean in Indonesian culture.
- Trying a bit of everything is customary when served traditional Balinese dishes.
FAQs
What is the staple food in Bali?
Rice is the staple food in Bali and is often served with vegetables, meats, or seafood. It forms the base for many traditional dishes like Nasi Campur and Nasi Goreng.
Are Balinese dishes typically spicy?
Yes, Balinese cuisine is known for its bold use of spices, but not all dishes are overly spicy. Sambal (a chili-based condiment) is often served on the side, allowing diners to adjust the spice level.
Can vegetarians find enough food options in Bali?
Absolutely! Bali has various vegetarian dishes like Gado-Gado, Urab Sayur, and Sayur Lodeh. Many restaurants also offer vegetarian versions of traditional dishes.
Is Balinese food safe for tourists to eat?
Most Balinese food is safe, especially from reputable restaurants and warungs (local eateries). Choosing busy places is advisable, as they tend to have fresher food.
What drinks pair well with Balinese food?
Balinese food pairs well with local beverages like Bintang beer or fresh coconut water. For non-alcoholic options, try herbal teas or fresh fruit juices.
