Discover a variety of mouth-watering Balinese specialties with unique flavors, from traditional dishes to modern foods that illustrate the richness of Balinese cuisine.

Bali, besides being known for its stunning natural beauty, also has a culinary wealth that is no less interesting. Bali’s cultural diversity is reflected in every dish served on the island.

With an abundance of local ingredients, as well as cultural influences from outside Bali, Balinese cuisine offers a unique and mouth-watering taste experience. If you plan to visit Bali, tasting various local foods is something you shouldn’t miss.

From traditional dishes that have been around for centuries to modern culinary innovations, Bali serves up a wide variety of food that will pamper your taste buds.

Here are 10 Balinese Specialties that you must try when visiting the Island of the Gods, each dish brings a taste that reflects the strong culture and traditions of Bali.

1. Suckling Pig

Suckling Pig is one of Bali’s most famous dishes and is often considered the island’s signature dish. This dish consists of roasted whole pork, which is then served with typical Balinese spices, such as turmeric, ginger, garlic and galangal.

Suckling Pig is usually served with rice, sate lilit, and lawar (a Balinese salad). This dish is often served at special occasions, such as religious ceremonies or major celebrations. Tender pork with crispy skin makes Babi Guling a favorite of many tourists.

2. Bebek Betutu

Bebek Betutu is a dish made from duck cooked by wrapping it in banana leaves and seasoning it with Balinese spices. The duck is then cooked for a long time, usually by roasting or grilling, so that the meat becomes very tender and is infused with spices.

This dish is usually served with white rice and sambal matah (a Balinese chili sauce made from shallots, lemongrass, and chilies). Bebek Betutu is a dish that is very rich in flavor and full of a distinctive aroma of spices.

3. Sate Lilit

Sate Lilit is a variation of Balinese satay that is different from satay in general. Instead of using skewers like satay in general, ground meat (usually chicken, fish, or pork) is wrapped around lemongrass stalks or thin bamboo.

The meat is then seasoned with Balinese spices consisting of grated coconut, shallots, garlic , ginger, and other spices, then grilled over hot coals . Its savory and slightly spicy taste makes Sate Lilit one of the most popular Balinese snacks.

4. Balinese Mixed Rice

Nasi Campur Bali is a dish consisting of white rice served with various side dishes, such as ayam betutu, sate lilit, lawar, chili sauce, and fried peanuts. This food is very popular in Bali and can be found in almost all traditional food stalls.

Nasi Campur Bali provides a combination of various flavors, ranging from savory, spicy, to fresh , which comes from the chili sauce and lawar. Each side dish has a unique Balinese flavor, making every mouthful taste special.

5. Lawar

Lawar is a Balinese dish made from a mixture of vegetables, minced meat (usually pork or chicken), grated coconut, and Balinese spices rich in spices. This dish has a fairly strong and spicy taste, especially when combined with sambal matah.

Lawar is often served as a side dish with rice or as a complement to dishes such as Babi Guling or Bebek Betutu. Lawar is not just a dish, but is also often part of traditional ceremonies in Bali.

6. Chicken Betutu

Ayam Betutu is a chicken dish cooked in a similar way to Bebek Betutu, but using chicken as the main ingredient. The chicken is seasoned with Balinese spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and then cooked for a long time until the chicken is very tender.

The long cooking process allows the spices to penetrate the chicken meat, resulting in a savory and rich flavor. Ayam Betutu is often served with white rice, sambal, and fresh vegetables, making it a delicious and satisfying dish.

7. Raw Sambal

fresh ingredients such as shallots, lemongrass, cayenne pepper, shrimp paste, and coconut oil. Unlike most chili sauces, Sambal Matah is not cooked, but served raw.

The uniqueness of this chili sauce lies in its fresh and spicy taste, as well as the distinctive aroma of lemongrass and coconut oil. Sambal Matah is often used as a complement to dishes such as ayam betutu, grilled fish, and sate lilit.

8. Balinese snacks

Balinese snacks refer to a variety of Balinese snacks or light meals that can be found in traditional markets or small stalls around the island.

Some popular Balinese snacks include klepon (sticky rice balls filled with grated coconut and brown sugar), jaja uli ( sweet sticky rice cake ), and onde-onde. These foods have a sweet and chewy taste, and are often used in Balinese traditional ceremonies as offerings to the gods.

9. Braised Tofu and Tempeh

Tahu Tempe Bacem is a vegetarian dish that is quite popular in Bali, made from tofu and tempeh cooked with sweet and savory spices, using ingredients such as brown sugar, sweet soy sauce, and spices. The tofu and tempeh are then slowly cooked in a mixture of spices until they are absorbed. This dish has a sweet , savory, and slightly spicy taste, and is usually served with white rice. Tahu Tempe Bacem is often the choice of side dish in various Balinese dishes.

10. Rai Banana

Pisang Rai is a Balinese dessert made from bananas wrapped in sticky rice flour dough, then steamed and served with grated coconut on top.

Its sweet and chewy taste, as well as the fragrant aroma of bananas, make Pisang Rai a popular traditional snack in Bali. Pisang Rai is often served as a dessert or afternoon snack, served with Balinese tea or coffee.

Balinese cuisine is a journey of flavors that reflects the island’s diverse culture, traditions, and natural richness. From heavy dishes like Babi Guling and Bebek Betutu to sweet treats like Pisang Rai, every Balinese dish has its own distinct and unique flavor.

These dishes are not only mouth-watering, but also carry stories of Bali’s rich history and culture. When visiting Bali, be sure to sample the many signature dishes and explore Typical Bali Souvenirs that will make your vacation even more complete and memorable.

Every mouthful and every souvenir is an experience that brings you closer to the rich culture of the Island of the Gods.