Balinese foods is the heart and soul of Bali cuisine, known for its bold flavors, rich spices, and deep cultural roots. While the island’s food scene is incredibly diverse, with everything from Indian restaurants in Ubud to Italian eateries in Canggu, traditional Balinese foods remains a must-try for anyone seeking an authentic taste of the island.
From ceremonial meals like babi guling to humble street snacks like bubur injin, authentic island cuisine offers a wide range of textures and flavors. Here are 20 must-try Balinese foods for a true taste of this flavorful island.
One of the most famous foods of Bali is Babi Guling. It is roasted suckling pig stuffed with a blend of traditional island food spices like turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, and galangal.
Babi Guling is made from slow-roasted pork until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and aromatic. Often served with rice, lawar (spiced chopped vegetables), and soup, this dish is a staple at ceremonies and large gatherings, making it a cultural icon in Balinese cuisine.
A daily favorite, Nasi Campur is a staple cuisine that you can find everywhere, including tourist areas like Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. It translates to “mixed rice,” typically served with meats, tempeh, vegetables, egg, and sambal.
Every region in this island has its version, making this dish a great introduction to the variety in traditional Balinese food and the most favorite food among travelers, especially for those who are looking for things to do in Ubud.
This is a beloved vegetarian dish in Balinese food culture and has become the most popular food that locals eat. Tipat Cantok consists of steamed rice cakes, blanched veggies, and a rich peanut sauce.
It’s usually topped with fried shallots and is perfect for those seeking a food menu without meat. You can often find it in local warungs or Bali’s best vegetarian restaurants like Men Runtu Sanur.
Lawar is a flavorful mix of vegetables, grated coconut, minced meat, and traditional spices from the island. Some versions even include fresh pig’s blood for an earthy taste and vibrant red color to your plate of rice.
This dish is usually served with Babi Guling or as part of Nasi Campur, making it one of the most authentic dishes in Balinese cuisine.
Unlike typical skewers, Sate Lilit uses minced meat, including fish, chicken, or pork mixed with coconut, spices, and herbs, wrapped around bamboo sticks or lemongrass. It’s then grilled to perfection and best enjoyed with rice and sambal matah.
Sate lilit gives a tender, juicy, and smoky taste to your plate, offering a rich snapshot of the island’s vibrant flavor.
Nasi Goreng is a common Indonesian dish, and every region has its own version, including the Island of God. The version of the Balinese is called Nasi Goreng Suna Cekuh, made using a fragrant blend of garlic and aromatic ginger.
Typically served with a fried egg, krupuk, satay, and pickled cucumber, this flavorful rice dish is a staple in both local homes and restaurants. It’s a go-to choice in Bali food culture, perfect for lunch or dinner.
One of the most famous chicken dishes in Balinese cuisine, Ayam Betutu. It is made by marinating chicken with “basa genep” which is a blend of turmeric, garlic, chili, ginger, and shallots.
The chicken is then wrapped in banana leaves and slowly steamed or roasted, allowing the spices to infuse deeply. This traditional island food is rich in flavor and often served at ceremonial events.
Be Pasih, meaning saltwater fish, is a beloved part of the authentic local cuisine. The fish is marinated in spices like turmeric, garlic, ginger, galangal, and many more, then the fish will be grilled or fried to perfection.
It’s typically served with warm rice, sambal matah, and a light cucumber fish soup. This dish is a seafood lover’s favorite and represents the coastal flavors of the island’s cuisine, especially in areas like Sanur and Amed.
Jaje Bali refers to a colorful assortment of desserts typically made from rice flour, coconut, and palm sugar syrup. It is usually served in ceremonies, and the sweetness is perfectly paired with black coffee.
Chewy, sweet, and fragrant, these traditional cakes are a festive part of Balinese food culture and can often be found at ceremonies or local markets.
Tum Ayam is a healthy and flavorful Balinese food dish made of minced chicken mixed with spices and wrapped in banana leaves. It is steamed until tender and aromatic, often served as part of Nasi Campur or enjoyed with plain rice.
This food is easily found across the island, including traditional markets, warungs, and restaurants. The cooking method of Tum Ayam makes it a great example of clean yet tasty food in Bali.
Among the many types of sambal in Balinese cuisine, Sambal Matah stands out as a favorite. It’s a raw chili relish made with lemongrass, shallots, lime leaves, and lime juice, then finished with hot coconut oil.
Perfect when paired with grilled fish or Ayam Betutu, it adds a spicy, zesty kick that defines the vibrancy of authentic local food.
Rujak Kuah Pindang is a spicy fruit salad unique to Balinese cuisine, made with thin slices of sour fruit like unripe mango and pineapple. These are mixed with a savory fish broth dressing for a combination of sour, spicy, and umami flavors.
This fruit salad is quite cheap, usually around IDR10,000 to IDR15,000, and you can easily find it anywhere on the island. This refreshing island dish is best enjoyed during hot weather.
A beloved street food in Bali, Nasi Jinggo consists of a small portion of rice wrapped in banana leaves with shredded chicken, tempeh, noodles, and sambal. The price is also quite cheap, starting around IDR5,000 to IDR15,000 per portion.
Typically sold for under IDR 10,000, this food is perfect for a late-night snack or quick meal. It reflects everyday life and convenience in Bali food culture without reserve or waiting a long list like a viral restaurant.
When the weather feels cool in the morning, there’s nothing better than a warm bowl of Bubur Mengguh. This traditional Balinese breakfast is a savory rice porridge typically topped with fried shallots, peanuts, shredded chicken, and yellow chicken broth.
It offers a comforting start to the day and showcases the wholesome side of Bali food. Bubur Mengguh is mostly found in traditional markets, especially in local neighborhoods.
Often served with nasi campur or nasi jinggo, Ayam Sisit Sere Lemo is a shredded chicken dish marinated in red spice, made from chili, lemongrass, ginger, galangal lime, and a touch of shrimp paste.
This flavorful Balinese cuisine dish is grilled or pan-seared, making it light yet packed with umami. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create a bold, satisfying island cuisine.
Usually enjoyed after savory dishes like Tipat Cantok, Daluman Ice offers a fresh, sweet contrast to your meal. Also known as cincau hijau, this drink is made from green grass jelly (daluman), palm sugar, and coconut milk.
A popular refreshment in the traditional food scene, it’s especially loved on hot tropical days. Some locals even add jackfruit to make it more flavorful, making it a beloved dessert in Bali cuisine.
Originating from the Kintamani highlands, Mujair Nyat-Nyat is a signature food dish in the island made with tilapia simmered in a spicy yellow sauce. The sauce typically includes turmeric, shallots, chili, lemongrass, and galangal.
This hearty dish is a must-try in areas like Lake Batur and is best enjoyed with rice, sambal matah, vegetables, and fried peanuts. It represents the rich, inland flavors of Balinese cuisine.
Bubur Injin is a sweet black rice pudding that stands out as one of Bali’s most iconic desserts. Made with black glutinous rice, palm sugar, and coconut milk, this dish is rich, creamy, and naturally sweet.
It can be served warm or cold, it’s a satisfying treat in the world of traditional Balinese food and a must-have for anyone exploring food culture in this tropical island. .
Sate Babi is a grilled pork skewer marinated in Balinese spices like turmeric, garlic, oil, and sweet soy sauce, giving a sweet and hearty taste to the tender grilled pork.
Grilled over charcoal until caramelized, this delicious street food is best enjoyed with steamed rice and sambal. It’s a flavorful bite that represents the savory side of Balinese cuisine.
At first glance, Be Genyol may resemble Babi Guling, but it features only boiled pork meat, skin, and fat served with rice, sate, sambal, and lawar.
This hearty and rich dish is a favorite among locals, offering an authentic taste of Balinese cuisine. You can easily find it in many parts of the island, particularly around the Sading area, a hidden gem in Bali cuisine.
No matter if you’re a first-timer or a returning foodie, exploring the depth of Balinese food gives you a richer connection to food in Bali. For more local tastes and wellness experiences, visit The Wonderspace or treat yourself to a rejuvenating day at Svaha Spa, the perfect blend of Bali cuisine and mindful relaxation.
