{"id":76957,"date":"2020-01-14T08:20:52","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T00:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/?p=76957"},"modified":"2020-01-30T13:48:58","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T05:48:58","slug":"traditional-balinese-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/food-blog\/traditional-balinese-food\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best of Balinese Food: 5 Must-try Iconic Dishes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike many other foods from Indonesia which can only be found at street-side stalls, Balinese cuisine goes way beyond hawker culture. Dishes are personal, ceremonial, and to some, even sacred. Hours of laborious work often go into the preparation. An invitation to a Balinese home is to be treasured, an opportunity to enjoy traditional Balinese food: recipes passed down through generations. This is why, in Bali, some of the most popular local eateries are connected to the family home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of Bali\u2018s food centres around a seasoning known as <\/span>base genep<\/span><\/i>, a heady spice mix of fresh ginger, turmeric, galangal and nutmeg \u2014 local ingredients that are rich in taste and, many believe, also rich in healing properties. Balinese favourites from <\/span>bebek betutu<\/span><\/i> (barbecued duck) to suckling pig are all seasoned with <\/span>base genep<\/span><\/i> in various intensities, giving a complex, multi-layered flavour that is distinctively Balinese.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even for Indonesians, Balinese dishes are considered very spicy, so if you can take the heat, consider yourself almost a local!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nasi Campur \u2014 Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Balinese<\/p>\n

To the Balinese, a plate of <\/span>nasi campur <\/span><\/i>is the everyday fare that gives them enough protein, lean fat, fibre, carbs and medicinal spices to fuel a day\u2019s work or play. And to those visiting Bali, it is a great opportunity to sample Bali\u2019s varied dishes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nasi campur<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 encompasses all that is great about Balinese food. White rice is surrounded by portions of fish or chicken satay, shredded chicken, crispy fried chicken, fried peanuts, beans <\/span>lawar<\/span><\/i> (beans with coconut milk, palm sugar and shallots), <\/span>telur pindang <\/span><\/i>(egg boiled in spiced water), fried chicken skin, and <\/span>sambal matah<\/span><\/i>. Many people will be familiar with <\/span>nasi goreng<\/span><\/i>, a staple of Indonesian food, so <\/span>nasi campur<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 is the perfect introduction to Balinese cuisine. And where better to enjoy this everyday dish other than at one of Bali\u2019s firm favourites: Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku has been popular among tourists and locals alike for decades, even though it is a small, two-menu eatery, serving <\/span>nasi ayam komplit<\/span><\/i> (complete) and <\/span>nasi ayam biasa <\/span><\/i>(standard). Its homey, authentic flavours have won many hearts and return diners. The accompaniments are plenty and if you\u2019re staying long enough in Bali, then you might find yourself coming back for more, time after time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pricing:<\/b> 25,000\u201335,000 rupiah\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> Jl. Kayu Jati No. 12, Seminyak, 80361 Bali\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone number:<\/b> 0361 474 0031<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening hours:<\/b> Monday\u2013Sunday: 8am\u20139pm<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Babi Guling \u2014 Babi Guling Pak Malen<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Balinese<\/p>\n

Some Balinese don\u2019t consume <\/span>babi<\/span><\/i> (pork) but for many locals, <\/span>babi guling<\/span><\/i> is a staple dish \u2014 one that you may find is quite unlike anything else.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The preparation of this much-loved dish is theatre in itself. Like many other traditional foods, the preparation takes hours and often begins before dawn, especially during ceremonies when cooking takes place from morning to night. Once cleaned, the pig is stuffed with <\/span>base genep<\/span><\/i>, giving it curry-like flavours and the fragrant aroma of lemongrass and ginger, before being roasted on coconut husks for several hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The resulting pork is tender, but tantalisingly crispy on the outside, the bronzed skin a prized delicacy on its own, known as <\/span>krupuk<\/span><\/i> (cracker). A plate of <\/span>nasi campur babi<\/span><\/i> is made up of several pork dishes: pork satay, fried pork, heart, pork cracker, pork skin, beans <\/span>lawar<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>sambal<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some Balinese turn their homes into a suckling pig kitchen, serving friends and neighbours with their own special take on the dish. It can take an entire family to run a small business like this, which is why you will find many Balinese naming their <\/span>warung<\/span><\/i> with their own family name, such as Babi Guling Pak Malen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the oldest suckling pig eateries in Bali, Babi Guling Pak Malen is located in the heart of Kuta, easily accessible to anyone in the South. Pak Malen\u2019s suckling pig is renowned for being hot and spicy. This suckling pig is so juicy and tender, it\u2019s best enjoyed slowly, to better savour each mouthful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pricing:<\/b> 30,000\u201370,000 rupiah<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> Jln. Sunset Road No. 554, Kerobokan, Seminyak, Kuta, 80361 Bali<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone number:<\/b> 0851 0045 2968<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening hours:<\/b> Monday\u2013Sunday: 8.30am\u20137pm<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bebek Betutu \u2014 Murni\u2019s Warung<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Balinese<\/p>\n

There are two kinds of <\/span>bebek<\/span><\/i> dishes in Bali: the crispy fried duck and the juicy, melt-in-your-mouth <\/span>bebek betutu<\/span><\/i>. Just like suckling pig, the preparation for <\/span>bebek betutu<\/span><\/i> takes a village. After being cleaned and seasoned, the duck is wrapped in banana leaves and coconut leaves. Banana leaves, which are abundant in Bali, are often used to wrap foods \u2014 both sweet and savoury \u2014 either as packaging or as a wrapper before the entire package is cooked. The thick leaves keep the food from burning, while contributing a delicious fragrance of the tropics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After being wrapped, <\/span>bebek betutu<\/span><\/i> is buried in the ground, then covered in live coals to cook for seven to eight hours, often overnight. The resulting meat is a sensation of natural seasoning and flavour. It is delicate, refined and mouth-watering. If you\u2019re looking for something original and authentic then this fits the bill perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Murni\u2019s Warung is one of the oldest authentic Balinese restaurants in the heart of Ubud, and is known to serve among the best <\/span>bebek betutu<\/span><\/i> in town. Here diners can enjoy<\/span> bebek betutu <\/span><\/i>that is so tender it practically falls off the bone, accompanied by fresh vegetables and <\/span>sambal<\/span><\/i>. Perfection!<\/span><\/p>\n

Pricing:<\/b> 55,000\u2013100,000 rupiah<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> Jln. Raya Campuhan, Ubud, 80571 Bali<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone number:<\/b> 0361 975 233<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening hours:<\/b> Monday\u2013Sunday: 8am\u201311pm<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sup Kepala Ikan (Fish Soup) \u2014 Warung Be Sanur<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Balinese<\/p>\n

Fish soup is one traditional Balinese dish that is often eclipsed by other, more glamorous creations. Aside from Jimbaran (the capital for anything seafood), Sanur is the go-to place for a more rustic and low-key seafood dining experience. You can find several fish soup stalls on the same street (the most famous being Warung Mak Beng); these usually open at 8am \u2014 great for a light, nutritious breakfast after a stroll on Sunrise Beach (Pantai Matahari Terbit).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many other Balinese dishes, fish soup uses <\/span>base genep<\/span><\/i>, though in a more subtle way. Fish head is drenched in a warming, spice-infused broth. Served alongside is chunk of fried fish, cooked until the skin turns crisply brown. Dip the fried fish into the broth or eat as is, accompanied by white rice and sweet <\/span>sambal bajak<\/span><\/i>. This tasty combination is nourishing for both body and mind. You could say that Sup Kepala Ikan is Bali\u2019s own version of chicken soup for the soul!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pricing:<\/b> 20,000\u201345,000 rupiah<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> Jln. Matahari Terbit No. 1, Sanur Kaja, Denpasar Selatan<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone number:<\/b> 0811 3885 403<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening hours:<\/b> Monday\u2013Sunday: 8am\u20139.00pm<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pie Susu \u2014 Pie Susu Asli Enaaak<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Balinese<\/p>\n

Pie susu or egg tart is not a traditional Balinese snack. However, as it\u2019s easier than most other foods to take home, it has become a must-buy item for both local and international tourists \u2014 the ideal edible souvenir!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brand which is thought to have kick-started this trend is Pie Susu Asli Enaaak, which has been in Denpasar since 1989. A humble family business, Pie Susu Asli Enaaak operated from the owners\u2019 home for a decade, selling their wares only at nearby markets. When tourists began to look for something new to take home, pie susu became the souvenir of choice. Domestic tourists drive the market and Pie Susu Asli Enaaak remains the crowd favourite, despite many more brands now being on the market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays at many traditional Balinese ceremonies, egg tarts are expected from the host. They\u2019re easy-to-get, milky and sweet \u2014 not to mention, they\u2019re a great end to the meal after a full plate of <\/span>babi guling.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pricing:<\/b> 30,000\u201360,000 rupiah\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b> B No. 8, Jln. Dewi Sri VIII, Legian, Kuta, 80361 Bali<\/span><\/p>\n

Phone number:<\/b> 0361 760 088<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening hours:<\/b> Monday\u2013Sunday: 8am\u20135pm<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From babi guling to bebek betutu, traditional Balinese dishes are spectacular. Here are our fave places to try them.","protected":false},"author":842,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[322,323],"tags":[108],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76957"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/842"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76957"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76957\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77664,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76957\/revisions\/77664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grab.com\/id\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}