Bob’s Besties, are you ready to swap your daily routine for sun, sand, and some seriously delicious eats? If you are heading to Bali soon, you are in for a treat that goes way beyond the surf breaks and beach clubs!
Bali’s culinary scene is as vibrant as its culture. It is known for bold spices, aromatic herbs, and rich seasonings that dance on your palate. But what makes it so special? Well, unlike some other cuisines that might be shy with their seasoning, food in Bali is brave!
At the heart of almost every dish is something the locals call Basa Gede (literally “Big Spice”). It’s a complex spice paste made from a blend of galangal, turmeric, ginger, garlic, shallots, chillies, shrimp paste, and more. This “magic mix” is pounded together using a mortar and pestle, creating that signature earthy, spicy, and fragrant kick that defines Bali’s traditional food.
Ready to fill your tummy? Here are Bob’s 9 best Bali foods that you absolutely have to try!
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What to Eat in Bali: 9 Local Foods to Try
Babi Guling
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Let’s start with the heavy hitter. You can’t talk about Bali food without mentioning babi guling. It is arguably the most famous dish on the island, and for good reason!
Babi guling is a whole pig roasted over a fire, hand-turned (guling) for hours until the meat is tender and juicy, and the skin is shatteringly crisp. But the secret isn’t just in the roasting, it’s inside the pig! Before cooking, the cavity is stuffed with that incredible basa gede spice mix mentioned earlier, along with cassava leaves.
When you order a plate, you usually get a glorious mess of white rice, succulent slices of pork, a piece of that golden crispy skin (the best part!), pork satay, vegetables, and a splash of spicy soup. It’s a symphony of textures and flavours that will leave you sweating and smiling at the same time.
Here’s a pro tip from Bob: babi guling is typically a lunch dish. Locals believe it’s best eaten fresh after roasting in the morning. So, if you go for dinner, they might be sold out!
Nasi Campur
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Can’t decide what you want? Nasi campur is the answer! Literally translating to “mixed rice,” this is the ultimate food sampler in Bali.
Every warung has its own version of nasi campur, so you can eat it every day and never get bored. Generally, it consists of a scoop of white rice in the centre, surrounded by small portions of various side dishes. You might find shredded chicken (sisit), sate lilit, lawar (vegetable mix), boiled eggs with spicy sauce, peanuts, and crispy shrimp wafers.
The beauty of nasi campur lies in its variety. You get spicy, sweet, savoury, and crunchy elements all on one plate (or banana leaf). It is the perfect introduction to Bali foods because it lets you try a little bit of everything without committing to a full portion of just one thing!
Lawar
If you think salads are boring, lawar will change your mind! This isn’t your typical leafy green salad. Lawar is actually a hearty, spicy, crunchy mixture that packs a punch.
The dish is made from a mix of blanched vegetables (usually long beans or young jackfruit), grated coconut, minced meat (chicken, duck, or pork), rich herbs, and spices.
Now, here is a fun fact: there are two main types of Lawar. Lawar putih (white lawar) is the standard version. But if you want to eat like a true local, look for Lawar merah (red lawar). The red colour comes from fresh blood mixed into the spices. It might sound intense to some, but it adds a savoury richness that creates your ultimate best food in Bali experience!
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Ayam Betutu
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If you love spice, ayam betutu is your holy grail. This is a dish with royal roots and is often served at traditional ceremonies, but you can find it in restaurants across the island.
“Betutu” refers to the spice mixture and the cooking method. A whole chicken (or sometimes duck, known as Bebek Betutu) is rubbed and stuffed with a massive amount of incredibly spicy seasoning. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked or steamed for hours.
The result? Meat that is so tender it falls off the bone just by looking at it, infused with a heat that builds up slowly. It’s incredibly aromatic and rich, usually served with rice, plecing kangkung (spicy water spinach), and fried peanuts. This is your go–to Bali traditional food at its finest—complex, fiery, and comforting!
Sambal Matah
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Technically, sambal matah is a condiment, not a main dish, but no guide to Bali food is complete without it. In fact, for many travellers, Sambal Matah becomes the highlight of their meals!
Unlike other sambals that are ground into a paste, sambal matah is a raw relish. It consists of finely sliced shallots, lemongrass, torch ginger flower (kecombrang), bird’s eye chillies, lime leaves, salt, and shrimp paste, all tossed together with hot coconut oil.
“Matah” means raw or uncooked. It tastes fresh, zesty, floral, and incredibly spicy. It cuts through the richness of fried foods like crispy duck or grilled fish perfectly. Once you try the authentic Balinese sambal matah, you’ll want to put it on everything!
Also Read: Bali Coffee Plantation Adventure: Savoring the Island’s Richest Brews
Sate Lilit
You have probably had satay (skewered meat) before, but sate lilit is unique to Bali. Unlike the standard chunks of meat you find elsewhere in Indonesia, Sate Lilit is made from minced meat.
The meat—usually mackerel (fish), chicken, or pork—is minced and mixed with grated coconut, coconut milk, lemon juice, shallots, and pepper. This sticky, fragrant dough is then wrapped (lilit means to wrap around) flat skewers made of bamboo or lemongrass stalks and grilled over charcoal.
Using lemongrass as a skewer is a stroke of genius because as the meat grills, the heat releases the lemongrass oils into the meat, adding an extra layer of citrusy aroma. It’s soft, smoky, and absolutely addictive for something that you must try at least once, or twice!
Jaje
After all that spice, you need something sweet, right, Bob’s Besties? Enter jaje, the collective term for Balinese traditional cakes and snacks. You will often see these in traditional markets in the morning.
Most jaje are made from rice flour, glutinous rice, coconut, and palm sugar (gula bali). One of the most popular varieties is jaje laklak. Think of them as tiny, green Balinese pancakes made with pandan leaf, served with grated coconut and drizzled with liquid palm sugar. They are bite-sized, fluffy, and warm.
Another favourite is bubur injin, a black glutinous rice pudding served with coconut milk. It’s not too sweet, perfect for breakfast or your afternoon snack to balance out your savoury culinary adventures!
Serombotan
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Let’s head to the Klungkung regency for this specialty. Serombotan is essentially a spicy Balinese vegetable salad, distinct from lawar and gado-gado.
It features a mix of boiled vegetables like water spinach (kangkung), spinach, bean sprouts, long beans, and eggplant. But the magic lies in the topping. It is served with not one, but two sauces! A spicy peanut sauce and a spicy coconut milk sauce infused with turmeric and galangal. Then, it’s topped with spicy fried soy beans and crunchy peanuts.
It is truly a texture bomb in your tongue! It’s crunchy, saucy, and very spicy. The good news is, serombotan is widely considered to be one of the best Bali foods for vegetarians who still want that authentic spice kick!
Nasi jinggo
Last but not least, Bob has the saviour of backpackers and late-night party-goers on the list: nasi jinggo. This is Bali’s version of “fast food,” but way tastier!
Nasi jinggo is a small, pre-packaged portion of rice wrapped in a banana leaf cone. Inside, you get a fist-sized portion of rice, a side of shredded chicken or beef, fried tempeh, sautéed noodles, and a smear of super spicy sambal.
The name “jinggo” is rumoured to come from the Hokkien word for “one thousand and five hundred,” which was the original price of the dish (though inflation has bumped it up a bit since then!). It’s cheap, accessible, and surprisingly delicious. Because the portions are small, it’s socially acceptable (and encouraged) to eat two or three in one sitting!
Also Read: Top 10 Things to Do in Bali: Beaches, Temples, and More
Sleep Tight After Your Feast at Bobocabin!
Photo: Bobobox Internal Asset
After a long day of exploring the island and stuffing yourself with the best food in Bali, nothing beats retreating to a cozy, nature-filled sanctuary to rest your food coma away. Prefer the cool mountain breeze or the lush jungle vibes? Bobobox has the perfect spot for you!
If you are a fan of culture and lush greenery, Bobocabin Ubud is your dream stay. Located in the heart of the rice fields, it offers a serene escape where you can wake up to the sounds of nature. It’s the perfect base for hunting down the best crispy duck and Babi Guling in the island’s cultural capital.
Or, if you prefer sweeping mountain views and cooler temperatures (perfect for enjoying warm Ayam Betutu!), head up north to Bobocabin Kintamani. Overlooking Mount Batur and the lake, the view here is just as spectacular as the food.
So, don’t let the adventure end here! Ready to secure your cabin with the best view? Download the Bobobox App now to book your stay easily, get exclusive deals, and manage your cabin features right from your phone. See you in Bali, Bob’s Besties!
Writer: Ratna Asih
Featured photo: Artem Belaikin via Unsplash
