I found two cooking classes on Gili Trawangan, namely Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class. They've got pretty similar menus, but the real difference is in how their kitchens are set up.
Their menus:
# | Menu | S&S | GCC |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Kelopon | ||
2 | Fried tempeh with peanut sauce | ||
3 | Fried noodles | ||
4 | Yellow chicken curry | ||
5 | Chicken Taliwang | ||
6 | Gado gado | ||
7 | Pepes fish |
First, I went to Sweet & Spicy 'cause it's closer. I asked to take pictures inside, but the lady said no, even when I told her I'm a journalist who could potentially benefit their business.
I ditched that spot and checked out Gili Cooking Class, and the guy there was really nice. I took some awesome pictures of their cool kitchen!
Price & duration:
- Sweet & Spicy: Fixed at IDR 450,000 for 2 hours
- Gili Cooking Class: Starts at IDR 350,000 for 1.5 hours
Gili Cooking Class comes with a different pricing structure within three packages. Here is the complete breakdown.
- Intro: IDR 350,000 for 1.5 hours
- 4 of a kind: IDR 400,000 for 2 hours
- Super six: IDR 450,000 for 2.5 hours
Each package menu:
# | Menu | Intro | 4 of a kind | Super six |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kelopon | |||
2 | Fried tempeh with peanut sauce | |||
3 | Fried noodles | |||
4 | Yellow chicken curry | |||
5 | Chicken Taliwang | |||
6 | Gado gado |
So, which one are you going to attend? I recommend the Gili Cooking Class for the best experience 👇🏻
Since you might pick where to go based on their menus, let's check out what they actually look like.
Kelopon
It's a traditional dessert in Bali and many places in Indonesia, made mostly with rice flour and coconut. Inside, you'll find palm sugar that melts in your mouth as you chew.
The green color typically comes from pandan leaf extract, enhancing its delicious aroma. However, some people use a safe chemical liquid to achieve the green hue.
You can usually find it at traditional markets and on the streets in the morning, sold for around IDR 10,000.
I personally enjoy it for breakfast!
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class.
Fried tempeh with peanut sauce
Tempeh is like the Bali budget superhero side dish – super cheap and everyone can afford it. It's made with a complex fermentation of soya beans.
But you're not diving into a crazy soybean fermentation project. You basically just toss it in a pan and fry it up for 3 minutes.
Now, the real magic happens with the peanut sauce. I was a bit shocked when I found out fried tempeh teams up with peanut sauce because that's not the usual Bali combo.
Usually, it's rolling with some spicy tomato sambal.
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class.
Fried noodles
Bet you've tried making noodles before, but fried noodles? It's pretty much the same deal, they just slap on the 'fried' tag in Bali.
It might not scream 'Balinese food' if you're used to frying up noodles every week back home, but trust me, this one's a winner in the taste department.
Everything just tastes better in Bali.
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class.
Yellow chicken curry
You might not find yourself whipping up that typical Western chicken curry anymore after picking up the art of making it Bali-style.
It's so darn tasty, your family will be begging for more! Here in Bali, they call it Opor Ayam, and it's one of my favorites.
There's a whole range of ways to cook chicken in Bali, and this is a fantastic starting point before you dive into all the other variations.
Out of all the dishes on the menu, I've got to say, this one stands out as the best.
This menu is featured in Gili Cooking Class.
Chicken Taliwang
Now, this is a bit different from the traditional chicken taliwang that I'm familiar with.
The authentic version is roasted and coated with a special sambal, sometimes even with a touch of honey.
This one is more like the Bali version of butter chicken from India.
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class.
Gado gado
Gado Gado is like a big veggie salad, but instead of your usual vinaigrette, they pour this amazing peanut sauce all over it.
That's the secret ingredient that makes it a hit in Bali.
It's a mix of both boiled and raw veggies, with the raw ones dominating.
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy and Gili Cooking Class.
Pepes fish
This dish is a bit complex to prepare. Instead of frying the fish, you'll be steaming it with all the necessary seasonings.
If you're into healthy eating without much oil, this might become your go-to favorite – just as delicious as the fried versions!
Most of your time will go into preparing the seasonings rather than the actual cooking. Make sure to rub all those flavorful seasonings into the inside of the fish to get the best taste out of it!
This menu is featured in Sweet & Spicy.