Want to take your taste buds on a journey? Discover the best culinary specialties to eat in Bali! The good news? There's something for every palate, whether you're vegetarian, a lover of spicy flavors or not...

What are the typical dishes of Bali and Balinese meals?

Nasi Goreng, the Essential Fried Rice

This is one of the most popular dishes in Bali and across Indonésie. Translated as "fried rice," this dish was originally created to reduce food waste by repurposing leftovers from previous meals. Regardless, it has become an unmissable Indonésian classic.

Its preparation can vary by region or from one warung to another, but generally it consists of fried rice mixed with vegetables and topped with a fried egg (though eggs can also be cooked and stirred into the rice).

The sauce is typically a blend of kecap manis (soy sauce, chili paste, and shrimp paste). It's often served with cucumber slices and shrimp chips.

Among the different versions of nasi goreng, you'll find:

● Nasi goreng ayam: with chicken,

● Nasi goreng sapi: with beef,

● Nasi goreng udang: with shrimp,

● Nasi goreng seafood: with mixed seafood…

Discover our authentic Indonésian nasi goreng recipe.

Mie Goreng, Fried Noodles

Mie goreng has exactly the same ingredients as nasi goreng, with the key difference being that rice is replaced by fried noodles.

Gado Gado, the Quintessential Vegetarian Dish

Gado gado is a vegetarian specialty. The name means "mixture," and it consists of a blend of crispy vegetables steamed together (typically green beans, cabbage, bean sprouts, and potatoes) with hard-boiled eggs, tofu, and tempeh (see end of article). It's served with a sauce made from peanuts, chilies, garlic, tamarind, and palm sugar.

Betutu, a Dish of Bold Flavors

Betutu refers to a blend of Indonésian spices made from shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, macadamia nuts, peanuts, shrimp paste, and chilies. These spices are ground into a paste using a mortar and pestle to accompany meat.

Typically, betutu coats a duck leg steamed in coconut husk or banana leaves. In this form, it's called bebek betutu. It's also prepared with chicken as bumbu betutu. One thing is certain: this authentic Balinese dish will appeal to lovers of bold, spicy flavors.

Babi Kecap, Caramelized Pork

Unlike the rest of Indonésie, which is predominantly Muslim, Bali is Hindu. This is why you'll find pork dishes in Balinese cuisine. One of them is babi kecap. It's simply a pork fillet generously coated in kecap, Indonésian soy sauce. With its caramelized flavors, this dish delights lovers of sweet and savory combinations.

Babi Guling, Suckling Pig Served at Celebrations

This is a truly authentic Balinese dish and arguably the favorite among locals. Served exclusively at festive meals and special ceremonies, babi guling is a suckling pig stuffed with spices (garlic, coriander, black pepper, chilies...) and roasted on a spit for several hours.

Its hallmark? The pig's crackling skin, which provides a satisfying crunch. It's served with skewers, blood sausage and organ meats, lawar (see below), and of course, rice!

Lawar, a Vibrant Dish

Lawar is a vibrant and utterly complete traditional Balinese dish. It consists of a mixture of vegetables, freshly grated coconut, ground meat, fried shallots, and herbs and spices native to Bali. It can be prepared with pork, chicken, or sometimes duck.

It's worth noting that there are two types of lawar: Lawar Putih (classic white lawar) and Lawar Barak/Merah (red lawar), which gets its red color from the addition of pork or chicken blood.

Sate, Meat Skewers

Barbecue enthusiasts, don't miss out on sate, an Indonésian street food specialty. These are pieces of marinated meat threaded onto skewers and grilled over charcoal before being served with sauce.

For context, sate refers to the name of the sauce accompanying the meat. It's prepared from peanut or sesame oil, coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, roasted peanuts, coriander, and soy sauce. The meat used is typically chicken, though versions with beef, pork, lamb, and even fish can be found.

It's worth noting that Bali has its own version of sate: sate lilit. The difference? Instead of chunks of meat, it uses ground meat mixed with spices and coconut. The mixture is wrapped around bamboo sticks, sugarcane, and lemongrass before being grilled over charcoal.

Tempeh, Fermented Soy Cakes

Tempeh is THE specialty that will delight vegetarians traveling in Indonésie, but will also surprise meat-eaters! It consists of cakes made from fermented soy seeds and fried. While that may sound unusual, trust us—it's delicious.

Its slightly crispy texture gives the impression of eating peanuts. Ultra-rich in protein, it's the ideal alternative to meat in most Balinese dishes.

Grilled Fish with Sambal Matah

As an island, Bali offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy fresh fish and seafood. Whatever type of fish you prefer, we recommend choosing a charcoal-grilled fish served with Sambal Matah.

Sambal Matah is a spicy Balinese sauce made from chilies, shallots, garlic, lime, lemongrass, and coconut oil.

What Do You Drink in Bali?

Bintang Beer

Bintang is a beer made by the Multi Bintang group (Heineken's Indonésian subsidiary). It's recognizable by its red star (bintang means "star"). Originally? This alcoholic beverage is a product of Dutch colonization…

Bintang is appreciated for its hop and malt flavor. It contains 4.7% alcohol in a 33 cl bottle—while Bintang Radlers contain only 2%. There are flavored varieties, including lemon and raspberry. It's an affordable beer (around €1.50 to €2 per bottle).

Arak

Arak is to Balinese what tequila is to Mexicans! This strong spirit—containing between 35 and 50% alcohol!—is primarily consumed during religious ceremonies and rituals. There are three types of arak: made from palm sap, coconut, or rice (the least common). Its distillation is still carried out using traditional methods—particularly in Bali and Lombok.

Kopi Luwak

Kopi luwak is THE drink to taste absolutely during a trip to Bali. Its particularity? It's a coffee made from beans that come from… civet droppings! This wild animal has nearly absent digestion: the coffee cherries remain intact in its digestive tract….

This unusual harvest has a historical explanation: during Dutch colonization (in the 18th century), coffee plantations and production were forbidden to Indonésians. Eager to drink coffee nonetheless, they discovered that the coffee fruits ingested by civets were excreted without alteration.

As a result? The locals decided to consume them. Today, luwak coffee is among the most expensive in the world… Expect to pay around €92 for a 250g package!

What is a Warung in Bali?

In Bali, you'll often encounter the term "Warung." It typically refers to a family-run business in the form of a shop or small eatery. Warungs can combine retail with street food stalls. They're often the best places to taste authentic Balinese dishes at unbeatable prices!

Would you like to discover all local specialties during a trip to Bali, but feel a bit hesitant or unsure where to go? What if you were accompanied by a local English-speaking guide who could share their best recommendations? With our " Like a Local: Street Food " experience, you can be guided for half a day, a full day, or an evening to sample Bali's best street food!

Is It Safe to Eat Out in Bali?

Hygiene standards are generally good at Bali's restaurants; however, you should remain vigilant to avoid contracting Bali belly—traveler's diarrhea. Like any gastroenteritis, it causes diarrhea caused (in 80% of cases) by bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli, stemming from poor hygiene or water quality. Therefore, it's recommended to:

● Avoid fresh fruit juices,

● Request drinks without ice as a precaution (though restaurants typically purchase ice commercially).

● Don't consume homemade ice cream,

● Drink only sealed bottled water, opened in front of you, or water you've opened yourself (always remember that tap water isn't potable in Bali!),

● Eat thoroughly cooked foods,

● Avoid ordering salads (potentially rinsed with tap water),

● Wash your hands (with hand sanitizer or antibacterial gel) before touching food.

Most restaurants and warungs are rigorous and impeccable regarding hygiene standards. However, as everywhere, some establishments can be less scrupulous.

To spot them? Trust your instincts and avoid suspicious-looking establishments (or those that seem unpopular). Don't hesitate to check reviews on dedicated websites and apps.

Regarding warungs, favor those offering dishes in disposable packaging rather than plates or bowls (potentially washed in tap water).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the food good in Bali?

Bali is an ideal destination for food lovers! Vegetarian dishes, Balinese specialties featuring fish, seafood, or pork, available in warungs (street food) or upscale restaurants: the destination offers countless options accessible to all budgets.

How to eat in Bali?

To taste authentic local Balinese specialties, stop at a warung! Whether it's a shop or a small kiosk, these family-run establishments serve traditional fresh dishes (at great prices). The quality of their food is typically far superior to that of tourist-oriented restaurants.

What's the Budget for Eating in Bali?

Food is inexpensive in Bali. While prices vary depending on the type of establishment (and its status): the average cost per person for a meal is between €2 and €4 at a warung, around €7 at a standard restaurant, and approximately €10 at a higher-end establishment. A local beer costs about €2.

Florine Dergelet