Bali is still one of favourite destinations for traveller, both local and foreign tourists. This is because of the millions of charms that Bali has. Its natural beauty, cultural uniqueness, to tempting Balinese culinary delights.
When visiting Bali, of course, it’s not complete if you haven’t tried Balinese food. So, when you are in Bali, Balinese food is a must-try for you. You will experience authentic flavors that you can’t find anywhere else.
Then, what are Balinese authentic food? There are soo many kind of Balinese food. Some of the famous ones are Lawar, Sate Lilit, Betutu ayam, Nasi Campur Bali, Laklak and many more.
Apart from that, Bali is quite synonymous with beaches. So, it’s not complete if you go to Bali without enjoying seafood. As you know, seafood includes fish, crab, shrimp, lobster, squid, and many more. The most popular seafood in Bali is BBQ seafood, especially lobster and grilled fish at Jimbaran Bay.
Then Bali is a place where the majority of the population is Hindu. So, restaurants with pork menus are quite common in Bali. Moreover, Bali is also very famous for its Babi Guling or suckling pig. Pork menu restaurants usually serve various kinds of food with pork as the main ingredient. Pork belly sambal matah, bacon spring roll, pork soup, and many more. However, in addition to the pork menu, several restaurants also provide a choice of chicken or beef menus.
Besides that, quality western food is also easy to find in Bali.
Here are 5 places to eat with Balinese authentic cuisine that you must try!
1. Bali Guling Ibu Oka Ubud
Babi Guling or Suckling Pig, is a typical Balinese food which is very well known throughout the world. In fact, many restaurants in Bali also offer suckling pig menus. One of the places to eat in Ubud Bali that serves suckling pig in Ubud is Ibu Oka’s restaurant.
Babi Guling Ibu Oka Ubud is located next to Ubud Palace. The address is on Jalan Suweta, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. For one complete portion of suckling pig rice, the price is Rp. 50 thousand’s. You will get suckling pig that has been cut into pieces with Balinese spices, complete with rice, crispiy pork skin, pork crackers, pork offal, lawar, pork sausage, and pork soup. I recommend coming at lunch time.
2. Bebek Bengil Restaurant
Bebek Bengil or famous as Dirty Duck Diner serves delicious food with excellent service in a friendly, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Bebek Bengil is an industry pioneer who first introduced the famous Crispy Duck Original in 1990.
This restaurant’s main dish is fried crispy duck. Fried crispy duck served with white rice complete with sambal. There also available crispy duck with stir-fried potatoes and salad.
The fried duck is crispy to the bones that you can chew. Duck meat comes from local ducks from the area around Ubud. Fried until golden brown with skin that looks dry and crunchy. Before being boiled for 3-4 hours, the duck is marinated in special spices for 12 hours. After boiling, then drained, then fried. This method makes the duck meat taste delicious to the inside.
Crispy duck menu is a superior menu that has always the most favourite main corse since this restaurant was founded in 1990. According to the owner of this restaurant, Mr. Anak Agung Raka Dalem, the fried duck originates from a family recipe which is usually used for daily meals.
There is also a selection of Balinese, Indonesian, Asian and Western cuisines combined with high quality service. This restaurant selects only the freshest and finest ingredients.
3. Nasi Ayam Ibu Mangku
For more than 50 years, Nasi Ayam Kedewatan, a concoction by Ibu Mangku, has spoiled the taste buds of customers. Now it is a legendary culinary destination that must be tasted if you go to Bali
Chicken rice is a type of Balinese mixed rice which is popular on the Island of the Gods. Rice that served with a variety of Balinese side dishes.
One portion of Nasi Campur Ayam (Rp. 35,000), white rice, betutu chicken, sate lilit, shredded chicken, boiled spice eggs, sayur urap ( mix vegetable with coconut ), peanuts, fried chicken, chili sauce, cucumber lettuce and of course betutu sauce. Served beautifully on a plate lined with banana leaves. The fragrant aroma of spices from the steaming hot betutu sauce adds to the appetite
4. Ikan Bakar Jimbaran
Jimbaran area in Bali is very famous for its unique and appetizing culinary variety. Especially seafood such as grilled fish. Set against the beautiful Jimbaran Beach, trying to tasting grilled fish here seems to be the obligation of every tourist visiting Bali. Moreover, coupled with the view of the sunset in the afternoon which adds to the romantic impression. So, if you like to try fresh seafood, especially grilled fish, this place serves delicious grilled fish in Jimbaran and has always been a tourist destination for dining.
The processed seafood menu is very diverse, you can taste shrimp, squid, clams to various types of fish available here. recommend to come for early dinner while enjoying sunset view
5. Sate Babi Bawah Pohon Legian
Sate Babi Bawah Pohon ( Pork Satay ), Legian initially did not sell pork satay. Around 1997, he started selling satay using turtle or tortoise meat. Originally located on Jalan Patih Jelantik, in the parking lot of the Trisakti Legian football field. Three years later, around the 2000s, a local regulation appeared in Bali which prohibited the sale of turtle meat. Since then, pork has been the substitute.
The recipe used today is the same as when using turtle meat. The recipe inherited from their ancestors is still used, but a special seasoning is added that differentiates the taste from other pork skewers. This is one of the secret recipes that makes Pork Satay Under the Tree sells well, is crowded every day and is becoming more and more famous.
If you want to eat at Sate Babi Bawah Pohon on Saturday and Sunday, it’s best to come early because it’s usually very busy during lunch time. Open daily from 8 am to 9 pm Bali time.
Next, we will recommend five of the best restaurants in Bali. These recommendations are carefully selected taking into account user ratings and reviews. Sorted by their popularity on the TripAdvisor.
1. Sa’mesa
Sa’mesa is an Italian restaurant that comes with a unique concept. The concept of this restaurant is “La Nonna Carmela”, a grandmother who invites all her family and neighbors to eat together. Departing from this concept, Sa’mesa makes its visitors to become friends.
For solo travelers or those of you who want to experience a different dining experience, Sa’mesa can be the right choice. Not only do you enjoy super delicious dishes, you will also make new friends!
2. Shrimpis
Finding a seafood restaurant is easy. The menu served is generally the same, but the freshness and taste can be very different. Shrimpis presents Vanamei Shrimp which is the result of self-cultivation. Feel the real taste of prawns that will really shake your tongue.
Apart from prawns as its signature menu, there are many other menu variants. Other menu variants are based on western food, such as pasta and hamburgers. So if you’re going out in a group, there’s enough food to suit everyone’s taste buds.
Canggu is one of the culinary centers in Bali. There are lots of choices of cafes and restaurants that you can find. However, if you are looking for a vegan restaurant, you should stop by iam Vegan Babe.
There are many healthy and delicious vegan menu options served at this restaurant. Also, as shown in the pictures, the food is arranged in such a way that it looks beautiful. This place is perfect for those of you who are not only looking for taste, but also an Instagrammable atmosphere.
For those of you who often scroll Instagram, maybe you’ve seen this beautiful photo with the backdrop of this aquarium restaurant. This aquarium restaurant is one of the famous restaurants in Bali. The location is in one of the luxury hotels in Nusa Dua, The Apurva Kempinski Bali.
Dining at this restaurant will give you an unusual experience. You can enjoy classy dishes accompanied by a clear aquarium atmosphere and a relaxing hypnotic soundtrack. However, to enjoy all of that, make sure you make a reservation in advance and pay attention to the conditions.
Sambal Shrimp is one of the good restaurants in Bali that you must try. Especially if you are looking for a restaurant for family meals, Sambal Shrimp is the right place.
A variety of fresh seafood is prepared with Indonesian special spices, making it easy for anyone to enjoy. Call it Shrimp Sambal Tempong and Spicy & Sour Shrimp Soup Bumbu Kuning. Fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, children and nephews, all will love it.
How about this article? Have you been tempted to immediately go to Bali for culinary delights? If you go to Bali, don’t forget to try our recommended delicious restaurants.
If you find that the ten restaurant recommendations are still lacking, you can look for other restaurants by following our how to choose from. Just three points, determine the menu, see reviews, and check the restaurant’s operational policies.