Bali is a destination worth exploring for the traveler looking for ways to satisfy the soul and the palate. There are always cheap flights to this tropical paradise and you don’t have to look hard to take advantage. This is an island where pristine beaches and coastal waters, verdant green forests and fields co-exist with rugged mountains and volcanic hills. This island paradise offers a stunning and varied landscape that is reflected in the combination of tastes and ingredients that make up the local culinary tradition.
Although there are cafes and restaurants that serve an assortment of local and international food, an alternative and cheaper way to experience the taste of Bali is through food stalls and smaller dining places. Here are just five culinary recommendations for the food explorer in Bali.
Sate Lilit
Those who like to eat anything on a stick will surely appreciate the sate lilit. In typical Indonesian and Balinese cuisine, the sate consists of seafood, chicken, beef, and other types of meat that is skewered on a bamboo stick and then grilled over hot coals. In Bali, the sate is grilled without basting in any type of sauce. The sauce, which is made of various spices, is served separately from the sate. This dish is often paired with a bowl of rice or rice cake.
Bebek Betutu
This dish is very traditional Balinese. Bebek betutu, which is roasted duck, is the centerpiece of family gatherings, banquets and ceremonies in Bali. Traditional bebek betutu is prepared with an herb paste made with an assortment of herbs and spices like ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and chilies. The duck is rubbed with the herb paste, wrapped with banana leaves, and roasted over hot coals. A variant of the dish, the ayam betutu, is made with chicken instead of duck.
Babi Guling
A lot of the best Balinese dishes are roasted over hot coals. Babi guling, another perfect example, is suckling pig roasted to perfection. In Bali, the babi guling is sold in restaurants and side stalls, usually paired with a steaming bowl of rice and vegetables. Like the bebek betutu, this dish has ceremonial roots and is often served during special gatherings and occasions.
Rujak
Those who love their salads will surely appreciate the unique combination of flavors in the rujak. This salad combines seasonal fruits and vegetables with a unique dressing that is spicy, sweet, and sour. The rujak is typically made with pineapple, mango, cucumber, papaya, and other ingredients. The base for the salad dressing includes an unusual mix of ingredients like tamarind pulp, palm sugar syrup, shrimp paste, and dried chilies. Liquid is extracted from the sauce base and then cooled before drizzling over the salad. The rujak is served as a snack or side dish option.
Bubuh Injin
The best way to end a hearty Balinese-style lunch or dinner is to sample this local dessert. Bubuh injin is made of glutinous black rice combined with coconut cream and sugar. Pandan leaves are often combined with the glutinous rice while cooking to provide a flavorful aroma. This desert is often served while hot and paired with bananas and other fruits in season.