TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

The Best Satay in Bali and Other Must-Try Traditional Foods

21/8/2017

 

The most affordable and authentic way to get to know Bali? One bite at a time! Let's start with the best satay in Bali. Balinese satay is the best!

Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase ​

Discovering the best satay in Bali and other great traditional  Bali foods. Image: Bowl of crushed chilis Picture
From satay to spices - Bali's traditional food is delicious! Photo credit: dinediscover.wordpress.com
If you're passionate about travel, then Bali, Indonesia, is definitely on your radar. The island has become one of the most visited destinations in Asia . In the early 1990s, Bali emerged as a popular tourist destination but it has maintained its position as one of the best budget friendly tourist destinations in Indonesia. And it's crazy delicious too! Have you ever had satay in Bali? 

Bali is a paradise for food lovers. Foodies are embracing Balinese cuisine as never before. Restaurants and warungs (small local cafes) offer traditional Balinese dishes on their menus, whether you're hobnobbing with locals or sticking with fellow travelers in the "touristy" areas. Here are five traditional dishes that every traveler should try in Bali - including my favourite, traditional Balinese satay!

Let's talk satay - the best satay in all of Bali!

Satay in Bali with dipping sauce
Is this the best satay in all of Bali? Photo credit: Wikipedia
No matter where you are in Bali you will definitely come across street vendors and restaurants selling satay (sate in Indonesian).  This is certainly one of the most common food items that you will find across the island and it never fails to impress.

Satays are marinated, skewered, and grilled meat served with a spicy sauce. In most cases, satays are made up of sliced and diced chicken, lamb, beef, fish, pork, tofu, and egg. It's also possible that you will visit a food stall that also features a minced blend which includes meat mixed with coconut milk, coconut, assorted vegetables, and local spices. The seasoned meat is skewered around bamboo, lemongrass or sugar cane sticks, grilled, and are made to consume on the move. 

Looking for information about where to go to feast on satay?
I'm a big believer in the power of guidebooks and the foodie recommendations in Lonely Planet Bali are spot on - including great satay recommendations. Right now, I'm also directing people here  - this is a fantastic list to start with when it comes to your satay research and it includes two of my personal favorite spots: Warung Sate Bonbon (Jl. Siligita No. 101C, Nusa Dua) and Sate Babi Bawah Pohon (Jl. Campuhan I - Dewi Sri, Legian). I get hungry just thinking about them! 

PS: Are you used to seeing spicy peanut sauce with your satay? That's not always the case in Bali! Instead, you can expect sambal made of shrimp paste.

Nasi Ayam

Chicken and rice platter Bali Picture
Photo credit: Wikipedia
Nasi Ayam is the Balinese version of one of the world's most popular combinations: chicken and rice. The dish includes white rice served along with the savory chicken and mixed vegetables and is often served with a soup. The dish comes with a dash of spicy sambal that steeps this meal in local flavor. It's a combination that's tough to resist. Being one of the most popular local dishes, you will find Nasi Ayam at most restaurants and warungs. And as Bali food prices are so affordable, once you find a special place you can go easily go back again and again.

PS: Rice is grown all over Bali. Ask around to find a Nasi Ayam vendor who uses local rice.

Nasi Goreng

Fried rice Bali Picture
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The literal translation of "Nasi Goreng" in Indonesian and Malay means "fried rice". If you love fried rice, Nasi Goreng is something you must add to your meal plans. It's unlike any version of fried rice that you've likely tried before.

While preparing Nasi Goreng, the fried rice is cooked with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, ground shrimp paste, tamarind, and chili. The combination of all these ingredients, the sweet, salty, tangy, and savory, adds incredible flavor to the dish. The rice is served with a variety of vegetables, meat, and even scrambled eggs.

If you aren't looking to be too adventurous when you first arrive in Bali, this is a good option to start with. It's also tailor-made for the budget minded travelers who are looking to fill up without much expense.

PS: Did you know that Nasi Goreng placed second in a 2011 CNN poll of the most delicious foods in the world?

Babi Guling

Babi Guling Bali Picture
Photo credit: Trip Advisor
No trip to Bali is complete without trying the most famed dish of the island – Babi Guling. It is an all-time favorite made from a spit-roast pig stuffed with traditional veggies and spices.

Babi Guling has a golden brown, crispy skin on the outside along with juicy and tender meat on the inside. Spices and seasonings include tamarind, lime leaves, coriander, lemongrass, black pepper, garlic, and ginger. It's traditionally served in celebration on special occasions such weddings and birthdays however you will find it on the menu of many restaurants and warungs. If you happen to make friends with locals you might even get an invite to a local celebration to try it! Every chef has their own special way of preparing the pig and the stuffing, so it's worthwhile sampling it as often as you can. 

Betutu

Betutu in Bali Picture
Photo credit: Flickr
If you are not a pork eater you can always opt for Betutu. This is a poultry dish which can be made one of two ways: the chicken betutu is called Ayam Betutu while the duck version is Bebek Betutu.

For adventurous foodies, this is a great choice. Betutu features a blend of spices that includes garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, chili peppers, and coconut oil. The outer flesh is usually rubbed with tamarind puree for taste and color. As a bonus, if you REALLY
 love spicy food, you can order yours extra hot (just be ready with a cold drink on the side!) Preparing betutu is a labor of love requiring a long, slow cooking process and plenty of patience.  It's often served in plantain leaf but the best establishments use the husks of betel nuts. 

PS: Craving Betutu? Don't leave it till your last night. Most establishments require you to order this dish 24 hours in advance - it really does take that long to prepare!
Platter traditional food Bali Picture
Photo credit: YouTube.
​This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to culinary indulging in Bali. This is also an amazing destination for sweets, ice cream, and - of course - coffee. Make the absolute most of your trip and never hesitate to try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised.

​
If you liked this article, you'll also enjoy:

Jakarta's Best Peanut Sauce Experiences
Chao Phraya River Tour in Bangkok
​Sailing Down the Irrawaddy River
Freebie Frustration: Changi Airport's Free Singapore Tour 
Bangkok's (Second) Best Pad Thai
​

Comments are closed.
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media