Bali is a popular tourist destination visited by many foreign tourists from all over the world. This Indonesian island offers beautiful beaches and villas surrounded by rice fields and a variety of culinary experiences.
There are numerous restaurants in Bali and cafes in Bali that you can visit to find delicious food. In this article, we recommend some of the must-try foods in Bali when you visit this place.
1. Sate
Sate
Sate, also known as satay, is a classic Indonesian dish popular worldwide. This food in Bali comes in various flavors, depending on the region of origin in Indonesia. Sate is made by grilling meat, such as chicken, pork, or fish. In Bali, sate is made by chopping the meat or chicken, soaking it in coconut milk, mixing it with grated coconut and spices, and then wrapping it around a skewer before grilling it.
2. Laklak
Laklak
Laklak is a traditional Balinese cake made from rice flour, coconut milk, suji leaves, and pandan. The suji and pandan leaves provide a natural green color to the cake. Laklak can be enjoyed in the morning or evening and is typically served with grated coconut, brown sugar, and jackfruit.
3. Nasi Tepeng
Nasi Tepeng by @parboaboa
Nasi Tepeng is a dish made from rice, but with a softer texture, almost like porridge. It is commonly eaten for breakfast and traditionally served on a banana leaf. Fried chicken, eggplant, peanuts, and jackfruit usually accompany Nasi Tepeng.
4. Terang Bulan
Terang Bulan
Terang Bulan is a popular street food in Indonesia. It consists of two stacked pancakes topped with chocolate, cheese, nuts, and other toppings. This cake is made from flour, sugar, eggs, coconut milk, water, and baking soda, and then cooked in a frying pan with margarine.
5. Tempe Penyet
Tempe
Tempeh is a popular soybean product from Indonesia, also known as Tempe in Malaysia. The basic ingredient is soybeans, which are naturally fermented to create a cake-like product.
This dish can be served in various ways, such as fried, steamed, or mixed with soup. However, locals prefer to eat it fried and served with sambal. It is often crumbled on top of the sambal, creating a dish called tempeh penyet.
6. Betutu
Betutu
Betutu is a Balinese dish traditionally made by stuffing duck or chicken with traditional spices. The meat is then wrapped in banana leaves and placed in banana fronds, which are buried in hot coals for 6-7 hours. This slow-cooking method results in juicy and tender meat with a delicious taste.
7. Bakso
Bakso
Bakso is a meatball dish from Indonesia made with beef, tapioca flour, salt, and other ingredients. Variations of meatballs can also be made with chicken, fish, pork, and more. These meatballs are typically served in a hot soup made from beef stock, along with yellow noodles, vegetables, eggs, tofu, bean sprouts, and other accompaniments.
8. Babi Guling
Babi guling
Babi guling, or Balinese roasted pork, can be found in many restaurants in Bali, from street vendors to luxury establishments. It is named babi guling because it is cooked by turning it over a fire. In English, babi means pig, and guling means turning, so babi guling can be interpreted as "turning pig". Typically, babi guling is cooked with spices, including onions, garlic, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, shrimp paste, and more. It is served with rice.
9. Pisang Rai
Pisang Rai is a Balinese dessert made from bananas and coconut. Bananas are boiled in rice flour and served with grated coconut to prepare this dish. You can eat it plain or with a sweet sauce made from brown sugar, and top it with jackfruit.
10. Nasi Jinggo
Nasi Jinggo
A great recommendation for a budget-friendly meal in Bali is nasi jinggo. This food can easily be found at street vendors and is typically inexpensive. Nasi jinggo is made from rice, vegetables, and a choice of side dishes, all wrapped in banana leaves. There are many options for side dishes, including fish, chicken, seafood, beef, and eggs.
These are Balinese specialties that you must try. These foods are easy to find in restaurants and street food vendors in Bali.
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