10 Balinese Culinary Specialties Offering a Diversity of Flavors and Unique Traditions

Discover a variety of Balinese cuisine that offers authentic flavors and mouth-watering culinary experiences, including traditional foods rich in Balinese culture.

Bali is not only known for its stunning natural beauty and stunning beaches, but is also famous for its culinary riches which are an inseparable part of the culture and traditions of the Balinese people.

Balinese cuisine offers a variety of dishes full of flavor, strong spices, and cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations. Eating Balinese cuisine provides more than just a taste experience, but also a journey into Bali’s rich cultural heritage.

If you are planning a trip to Bali and want to dive into the culinary diversity that the island has to offer, here is a list of 10 Balinese Culinary delights that you must try. Each dish is not only delicious, but also full of stories about the life and traditions of the Balinese people.

1. Suckling Pig

Suckling Pig is a very iconic dish in Bali, known for its savory taste and rich spices. This dish is made from pork seasoned with Balinese spices such as turmeric, coriander, garlic, ginger, and chili, then grilled until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.

Suckling Pig is usually served with white rice, lawar (a Balinese salad made from vegetables and grated coconut), sambal matah, and crispy pork skin crackers.

The process of cooking Suckling Pig is often done in traditional events or big celebrations, and this dish is very popular among Balinese people and tourists. Suckling Pig offers an authentic Balinese taste that is a must-try for anyone visiting the island.

2. Chicken Betutu

Ayam Betutu is another Balinese dish that is full of flavor and spices. The chicken used is seasoned with a spicy mixture of spices, including candlenuts, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, and chili.

After being seasoned, the chicken is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked by steaming or grilling for a long time, resulting in chicken meat that is very tender and full of flavor.

Ayam Betutu is usually served with white rice and spicy shrimp paste chili sauce. This dish is the main choice for tourists who are looking for rich Balinese flavors, but still with a distinctive spicy touch.

3. Sate Lilit

Sate Lilit is a variant of satay that is different from satay in general. Unlike satay in general which uses skewered meat pieces, Sate Lilit is made from finely ground meat (can be chicken, fish, or pork) mixed with grated coconut and spices, then wrapped around lemongrass stalks or skewers. After that, this satay is grilled until cooked and brown.

The taste of Sate Lilit is very savory with a little bit of spiciness, giving a very delicious taste and is often served with spicy sambal matah and rice. Sate Lilit is a popular dish both in street food stalls and fancy restaurants.

4. Balinese Mixed Rice

Balinese Mixed Rice is a dish consisting of white rice accompanied by various side dishes, vegetables, and chili sauce.

This dish includes shredded chicken, sate lilit, lawar, boiled egg, serundeng (fried grated coconut), and sambal matah. Nasi Campur Bali is a dish that combines various elements of taste, from savory, spicy, to sweet , and provides a culinary experience that pampers the tongue.

This dish is a favorite not only among tourists, but also local residents who make it a lunch or breakfast menu. Balinese Mixed Rice is easy to find in almost all restaurants or food stalls in Bali.

5. Lawar

Lawar is a typical Balinese salad dish made from a mixture of vegetables, grated coconut, spices and minced meat, such as pork, chicken or duck.

Lawar is usually served as a complement to main dishes, such as Babi Guling or Nasi Campur. Lawar has a very distinctive taste, which comes from the fresh spices and natural ingredients used in its preparation.

The most famous variation of Lawar is Red Lawar, which uses cow or pig blood to give it a more intense and distinctive taste. Lawar is a dish that is very popular with both locals and tourists who want to enjoy authentic Balinese flavors.

6. Balinese Oxtail Soup

Balinese Oxtail Soup is a soup made from oxtail cooked with broth and Balinese spices. This soup is served with a rich broth and tender oxtail meat.

Balinese Oxtail Soup is usually served with white rice, chili sauce, and chopped spring onions. Its savory taste with a touch of spiciness makes this dish very delicious and suitable for lunch or dinner.

Balinese Oxtail Soup is often found in restaurants serving Balinese cuisine and is a dish favored by many people who are looking for deliciousness and warmth in a soup dish.

7. Nasi Jinggo

Nasi Jinggo is a small rice dish wrapped in banana leaves, making it easy to carry and practical to enjoy anywhere. Nasi Jinggo is served with various side dishes, such as shredded chicken, chili sauce, and serundeng.

Even though the portion is small, Nasi Jinggo tastes very delicious and filling. Nasi Jinggo is a dish that is very popular with tourists because it is practical and delicious.

Typically, Nasi Jinggo can be found at roadside food stalls, and is a favorite choice for those who want to enjoy delicious and affordable Balinese cuisine.

8. Steamed Fish

Pepes Ikan is a fish dish seasoned with Balinese spices, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or steamed. The fish used is usually fresh fish such as snapper, tuna, or baronang fish.

The spices used in Pepes Ikan consist of turmeric, lemongrass, chili, and basil leaves, giving a fresh , spicy, and rich taste.

Pepes Ikan is a healthy and delicious dish, often served with white rice, sambal, and fresh vegetables , making it a perfect culinary choice for visitors looking for fish-based food.

9. Raw Sambal

fresh ingredients such as shallots, chilies, lemongrass, lime leaves, and coconut oil. Its fresh, spicy taste is perfect to accompany various Balinese dishes, such as Ayam Betutu, Babi Guling, or Sate Lilit. Sambal Matah provides a fresh and sharp taste sensation that is appetizing.

For those of you who like spicy flavors, this chili sauce will be the perfect complement to your dishes while in Bali.

10. Balinese Klepon

Balinese Klepon is a traditional cake made from green sticky rice wrapped in grated coconut. Inside is liquid brown sugar that will melt when bitten, giving a distinctive sweet taste.

Balinese Klepon is often used as a snack or souvenir from Bali. Its chewy texture and the sweet taste of brown sugar provide an unforgettable sensation for anyone who tries it.

Balinese Klepon is easy to find in traditional markets or souvenir shops, and is a snack that is loved by many people.

Balinese cuisine offers a variety of dishes rich in flavor, from spicy, savory, to sweet , all of which you can find on this island. If you are on holiday in Bali, don’t forget to try the 10 Balinese culinary specialties mentioned above and explore Typical Bali Souvenirs to bring home.

That way, you can taste the deliciousness and uniqueness of the food while also taking a piece of the cultural heritage of the Island of the Gods with you.