If food tops as your number 1 reason to travel and you’re up for trying different cuisines, then you will be elated to know that the variety of food in Bali is a bliss for foodies.
The best part about the food in Bali is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to eat something fancy or authentic. The island has all your food cravings covered. Continue reading this blog further for some ultimate #FoodGoals.
From cafe fare to restaurants and street food, there’s something for everyone out there.
Fried bananas or Pisang goreng, are one of the tastiest delicacies to devour for a quick snack between meals. Even better, put a drizzle of palm sugar or caramel sauce over the top. It is the yummiest with a couple of scoops of ice-cream. You can buy them on the streets from the carts or kaki lima, in any restaurant and even down at the beach whilst you are relaxing. Our favorite Pisang goreng is the ones where the oil has come into direct contact with some of the bits of the banana beneath and it takes on a kind of caramelized texture.
Nasi Goreng, the unofficial national dish of Indonesia. This ubiquitous item appears on menus from Jakarta to Denpasar. While ‘fried rice’ is the literal translation, this simple dish combines many facets of the Indonesian way of life blended into a staple meal enjoyed by over 250 million people. You can find this dish in every restaurant in Bali. Who doesn’t love the traditional breakfast of Indonesian fried rice, served with all the salty, sweet, spiced flavors of Asia and topped with a sunny-side-up egg.
We all know sate, Indonesia’s famous scrumptious meat-on-a-stick treat that has sizzled its way into our hearts. Sold from smoky street-side carts, this snack of bbq meat on bamboo sticks needs no advertising, you can smell it a block away. In Bali and Java, sate can include many ingredients including ayam (chicken), kambing (goat), sapi (beef), kelinci (rabbit) and others. Sate is hands down one of the most famous street food in Bali.
Mie Goreng is a scrumptious, traditional dish of fried noodles found throughout Indonesia (and also Malaysia). A good mie goreng is equal parts sweet, salty, and umami, and packed with fresh vegetables and tender chicken and/or shrimp. And just as a good mie goreng’s flavors are deep and varied, so are its textures; between the chewy noodles, fried shallots, fresh vegetables, crunchy bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, and succulent proteins, there are lots of interesting textures going on in each bite.
Also known as Balinese Suckling Pig, Babi Guling causes hungry pork fanatics wet dreams. It’s one of the Island’s most famous local dish, where a pig is seasoned with local herbs and spices then roasted whole. The tender meat is served on rice with stewed vegetables, pork sausage, fried pork meat and most importantly the crispy skin! There are many places that sell Babi Guling but the most well-known chain Ibu Oka is a must-eat.
When traveling to Indonesia, and Bali in specific it’s a must to try Kopi Luwak coffee at least once. Balinese Coffee is known worldwide for its rich taste and delicious aroma. It is considered as a delicacy in most parts of the world. Whenever there is a mention of Balinese coffee every finger points to the lush greenery of Ubud. Apart from enjoying the delight of Balinese coffee at a number of cafes in Ubud, you can also engage in a trip to one of its numerous coffee plantations or coffee production factories around.
Another Balinese favorite is Bebek Bengil (literally translated to “dirty duck”) and you can’t say you’ve been to Bali without trying this local must-have. The dish after which this restaurant is named consists of half a duck that has been steamed in Indonesian spices then deep-fried to a crispy finish. Each serving comes with sauteed potatoes, side salad, or rice and Balinese vegetables. If you love potatoes as much as we do, you can even opt to have your rice changed to creamy mash potatoes that really complements the flavors of the duck.
These beautiful, colorful bowls are somewhat of addiction here on the island, and leaving a trip to Bali without having one would be unheard of. In fact, you may just want to try a new one every day. The acai bowls are an absolute oasis for breakfasters. Truly an energy booster, refreshing and full of color.
Hungry yet? You would be glad to know that the food in Bali mentioned here tastes even better than it looks. If you’re searching for Bali villa rentals, then look no more! Rent the perfect villas in Bali, Indonesia that is known to match your holiday style!
