So if you're already in Bali, you might have realized that there's more to the island than just beautiful beaches and cultural destinations.
And while you're exploring and trying out different restaurants, you might notice that many of them tend to only list Western-style food on their menus.
But don't worry, you don't have to miss out on the amazing Balinese cuisine! If you're interested in trying some of the local dishes, I've got a list of 10 local dishes that you absolutely have to try.
The next time you visit a restaurant or eatery in Bali, be sure to give these dishes a try and taste the flavors of this amazing island!
Chicken geprek
Oh I just love chicken geprek! It's actually one of my favorite dishes, and I've been having it for lunch every day lately.
The name geprek comes from the Indonesian words for smashed or flattened, which refers to how the chicken is prepared.
The real star of the dish though, is the geprek sambal, a spicy chili sauce that's poured over the chicken. The sambal comes in different varieties, with some made from red spices and others from green.
Each one has a distinct taste and level of spiciness, so you can choose the one that suits your palate best.
This dish is so much more exciting than your standard fried chicken with plain old sauce. The sambal is seriously hot 🔥 but absolutely delicious!
Satay lilit
There are so many different types of satay out there, but one that really stands out to me is satay lilit.
It's made with grilled beef or chicken that's been mixed with grated coconut, spices, and seasonings to create a really unique and delicious flavor.
I love having it as a side dish with rice, or even just on its own as a snack. One thing I would say though, don't try to eat it with bread.
It just doesn't taste right 😩 but with some rice it's absolutely delicious 😋
Bakso
Have you ever heard of bakso? This dish is not only popular in Bali but throughout Southeast Asia as well. Bakso consists of meatballs served with noodles and vegetables in a savory soup.
You should definitely try it at least once to experience the unique Asian-style meatballs which are quite different from what you're used to in the United States.
To be honest, I don't eat bakso very often because it doesn't really fill me up. If you're feeling hungry, you might want to try something with a bit more volume to it.
Ayam betutu
Fun fact: Ayam means chicken in Indonesian, but if you try to search for it on the Gojek app with the keyword 'chicken', you won't find it.
Ayam Betutu is a whole chicken that's seasoned with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed in the oven.
You won't find this dish in all restaurants because it's considered a bit pricey, but if you're looking to truly experience the unique flavors of Balinese cuisine, then Ayam Betutu is a must-try dish.
Bubur ayam
If you're looking for a hearty breakfast, I recommend trying bubur ayam instead of oatmeal. This Indonesian porridge dish is packed with toppings like chicken slices, vegetables, and fried onions.
You can even add soup to it if you prefer. Just pour it in and mix it all together for a comforting and filling meal.
This porridge is simply delicious and will leave you wanting more. You can usually find it sold on the streets in the morning, or if you're lucky, it might be on the menu at some restaurants all day long.
Lontong sayur
Lontong sayur is a traditional Indonesian dish that consists of compressed rice wrapped in banana leaves served with vegetables, egg and chicken in a soup.
It originated from the Java island but it's also popular in Bali, so it's definitely worth trying.
You can definitely find it on the Gojek app, but you probably won't find it available after 12 midday since it's usually eaten as a breakfast just like bubur ayam.
The soup in lontong sayur is somewhat similar to the soup in bubur ayam, but the taste can vary depending on who makes it.
Gado gado
If you're a fan of salads, you should definitely try the famous Indonesian salad called gado-gado when in Bali.
Unlike typical salads that are dressed with vinaigrette or other dressings, gado-gado is coated in a mouthwatering peanut sauce that gives it a unique and delicious flavor.
Although it originated in Jakarta, gado-gado is also available in Bali and is usually served during breakfast or lunchtime.
Siomay
If you're not a fan of salads, perhaps you could give siomay a try. It's a dish that includes boiled vegetables, along with dumplings and dim sum, all served with a delicious peanut sauce.
Personally, I prefer siomay to gado-gado, but it's always fun to try both and compare which one you like better!
Unlike gado-gado, siomay is a more versatile dish that can be found at any time of day. You can find it not only on the streets, but also in restaurants and even in malls.
In fact, many restaurants in malls often choose to serve siomay over gado-gado.
Nasi goreng
Who doesn't know about nasi goreng, also known as fried rice? You might have tried it before, but have you ever tasted it in Bali?
Western food can sometimes taste bland compared to the flavorful dishes found in Bali. So, while you may have had nasi goreng before, it's definitely worth trying!
I recommend trying it at a local restaurant instead of buying it from street vendors as the taste can differ significantly.
Rendang
They say that rendang is one of the most delicious foods in the world! It's a dish made of meat that's cooked with a complex blend of spices, including grated coconut, peanuts, and more.
Personally I'm not a huge fan of rendang because it can be quite sweet for my taste. However, Rendang has two distinct flavors – one is sweet, and the other is salty.
Rendang is not available everywhere, as it is only found in Padang restaurants since it originated from the city of Padang.
Additionally, the people from Padang are considered to be the best at making rendang, so you better buy it from Padang restaurants.
FAQs
As the majority of people in Bali are Hindu, most of the food there is not halal. However, you can still find halal food in certain areas or by looking for food that's tagged as halal.
Food prices in Bali are generally considered cheap, usually costing around US$ 3. And if you take a walk around and explore a bit, you can find street food options that are as cheap as US$ 1.
Balinese food is generally spicy, but restaurants in Bali have adjusted the level of spiciness to cater to the taste of foreigners.
