10 Traditional Dishes of Bali You Must Try

You should definitely sample these 10 traditional dishes from Bali.

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If you are a food enthusiast visiting Bali, you certainly don’t want to miss its traditional cuisine. Bali offers a wide variety of flavours that have been passed down through generations. As a food blogger, I am excited to share with you the top 10 traditional dishes that you must try in Bali. I’ve personally tasted all of them, so let me guide you through the delicacies of Bali's cuisine.

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Babi Guling

What is Babi Guling?

Babi Guling is the most famous dish of Bali's cuisine. It's a whole roasted pig that is stuffed with various spices and vegetables. It's served with rice, vegetables, and a spicy sambal sauce. The skin is crispy, and the meat is incredibly juicy and tender.

Where can I find Babi Guling?

For the best Babi Guling, head to the Warung Ibu Oka, located in Ubud. This place is a must-visit for foodies, and the queue of people waiting for their turn is proof of its popularity.

How to make Babi Guling?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 500	6	4 hours	Pig, shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, chillies, shrimp paste, salt, sugar, coconut oil.	Marinate the pig overnight in the spices. Roast the pig in the oven at 200°C for 4 hours. Allow the pig to rest for 15 minutes before serving.	Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pig is fully cooked.	Replace pork with lamb or chicken for a different flavour.

Sate Lilit

What is Sate Lilit?

Sate Lilit is a classic Balinese dish that consists of minced meat, usually pork, that is mixed with grated coconut, lime leaves, and spices, then wrapped around lemongrass or bamboo skewers and grilled. It's usually served with rice and a spicy sambal sauce.

Where can I find Sate Lilit?

Try the Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti, located in Seminyak. This place serves some of the best Sate Lilit on the island.

How to make Sate Lilit?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 280	4	20 minutes	Pork, grated coconut, lime leaves, garlic, shallots, coriander, turmeric, salt, pepper, oil.	Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Wrap the mixture around lemongrass or bamboo skewers. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side.	Soak the skewers in water before grilling to avoid burning.	Replace pork with chicken or beef for a different flavour.

Nasi Campur

What is Nasi Campur?

Nasi Campur, which means mixed rice, is a traditional Balinese dish that is usually served during ceremonies or as a special occasion meal. It's a plate of steamed rice, accompanied by various toppings such as fried tofu, tempeh, vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, and topped with a spicy sambal sauce.

Where can I find Nasi Campur?

Head to Warung Wardani, located in Denpasar, for a delicious Nasi Campur experience. The restaurant is quite popular with the locals and serves some excellent traditional Balinese food.

How to make Nasi Campur?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 450	4	30 minutes	Steamed Rice, fried tofu, tempeh, vegetables, chicken, beef, or pork, sambal sauce.	Cook the rice using a rice cooker or a pot. Fry the tofu and tempeh until crispy. Cook the chicken, beef or pork with Balinese spices. Serve the steamed rice in a plate, accompanied by the toppings and a spicy sambal sauce.	Add shrimp or fish for a seafood version.	Vegetarian option: replace the meat with mushrooms, or jackfruit.

Tahu and Tempe Manis

What is Tahu and Tempe Manis?

Tahu and Tempe Manis is a popular street food in Bali and consists of sweet tofu and tempeh. The tofu and tempeh are deep-fried and then served with a sweet soy sauce glaze and topped with crispy shallots.

Where can I find Tahu and Tempe Manis?

Suka-suka, a street food vendor located in Denpasar, is the go-to place for Tahu and Tempe Manis. The stall serves only this dish and is said to have mastered the art of making it delicious.

How to make Tahu and Tempe Manis?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 300	2	20 minutes	Tofu, tempeh, cornstarch, sweet soy sauce, shallots, red chillies.	Cut the tofu and tempeh into small cubes. Dry them with paper towels and coat them with cornstarch. Deep-fry them in hot oil until golden brown. Mix the sweet soy sauce with water and warm it up. Add the crispy shallots and red chillies to the sauce. Drizzle the sauce over the fried tofu and tempeh.	Use a neutral oil such as vegetable oil for frying, and make sure it's hot enough to prevent the tofu from absorbing too much oil.	Use honey instead of sweet soy sauce for a healthier version.

Gado-Gado

What is Gado-Gado?

Gado-Gado is a popular Indonesian salad that is also commonly found in Bali. It's made with mixed vegetables such as beansprouts, cabbage, cucumber, and tofu, and topped with a peanut sauce dressing.

Where can I find Gado-Gado?

For some delicious Gado-Gado, head to Warung Merah Putih, located in Denpasar. The restaurant serves some of the best Indonesian food on the island.

How to make Gado-Gado?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 350	4	20 minutes	Beansprouts, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, tempeh, tofu, boiled eggs, peanut sauce dressing.	Cook the vegetables in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Arrange the cooked vegetables on a plate. Top with sliced tempeh, tofu, and boiled eggs. Pour the peanut sauce dressing over the salad.	Add potatoes or sweet potatoes to the salad for a different flavour.	Use almond butter instead of peanut butter for a healthier version.

Ayam Betutu

What is Ayam Betutu?

Ayam Betutu is a Balinese dish consisting of a whole chicken that is stuffed with various spices, including garlic, ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, and chillies. It's then wrapped in banana leaves and baked for several hours. It's one of the most flavourful traditional dishes of Bali.

Where can I find Ayam Betutu?

If you want to try the best Ayam Betutu, try Warung Liku, located in Sanur. This place is famous for its Ayam Betutu, and it's worth the visit.

How to make Ayam Betutu?

Nutritional information	Servings	Cooking time	Ingredients	Instructions	Tips	Variations
Calories: 500	6	4 hours	Chicken, shallots, garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, chillies, shrimp paste, salt, sugar, coconut oil, banana leaves.	Mix the grounded spices in a bowl. Stuff the chicken with the spices mixture. Wrap the chicken in banana leaves. Bake the chicken in an oven at 180°C, for 4 hours.	Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.	Use pork instead of chicken for a different flavour.