Although Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, Bali is (surprisingly) a Hindu majority island. Expect to find mostly fish and pork dishes over other types of meat here. Keep in mind that Hindus revere and have a high level of respect for cows, hence they avoid consuming beef and other products sourced from them.

You can find many restaurants outside of tourist hot spots that do not serve pork in order to cater to the Indonesian Muslim majority. Listed below are 10 must-try dishes in Bali to make your island vacay extra memorable!

Read also: Nyepi: A Day of Silence in Bali

A mini rijsttafel is a dish made for sharing. Rijsttafel literally means “rice table” in Dutch that has been made popular during the colonial times. It is a platter of mixed selection of popular Balinese delicacies consisting of meat (typically Bebek Betutu/smoked duck or other types of grilled meat), sambal, sate, tempe, tofu, Nasi Tumpang (rice cones) and Sayur Urap (a local savoury salad).

Sate Lilit is just one of the many variants for the celebrated Indonesian satays. The Balinese version is typically prepared using minced pork, fish and chicken (...you might also find turtle meat) combined generously with coconut milk, lemon juice, shallots, grated coconut and heaps of seasonings. The mixture is wrapped thickly around lemon grass, bamboo or sugarcane skewers before being grilled over charcoal. Lilit literally means “to wrap around”.

Similar to Sate Lilit, sate is a type of grilled seasoned and skewered meat dish but this version is thinner and is served alongside an appetising sweet peanut sauce.

Coffee lovers will instantly fall in love with this island for the abundant variants it offers. However, you should definitely stop by a cafe just for the local Kintamani Balinese coffee which is loved for its fresh, fruity note. The distinct taste can be attributed to the way they are grown - almost always in a plantation alongside citrus fruits that gives the coffee beans a sweet, memorable aftertaste.

If you are feeling adventurous, remember to give coffee Luwak a try. It consists of partially digested coffee cherries which are eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civets. FYI, Kopi Luwak is also the world's most exclusive and expensive coffee due to the rather unsual method of production.

These beautiful sticky glutinous rice balls are loaded with sweet caramelised coconut in the centre. It is just one Indonesia’s many Jajanan Pasar (market snacks) and can be consumed anytime of the day. The filling is made using coconut and sugary palm sugar, while the skin is perfected using glutinous rice flour with essence from the aromatic pandan (screwpine) leaves. Each bite is a delightful explosion of sweetness!

This signature Balinese dish features steamed or roasted poultry that has been smothered, rubbed and stuffed in the unbelievably rich Bumbu Betutu spices - a traditional, fragrant concoction of ginger, pepper, turmeric, shrimp paste and chili. It can be found on the streets or even in luxury hotels - making it a must-try when visiting the beautiful island of Bali.

This “mixed” rice dish comes with a serving of white rice accompanied with small portions of other dishes such as meat, vegetables, eggs, and the mandatory tempe-tofu-keropok toppings. There is no fixed rule when it comes to preparing a plate of Nasi Campur, so feel free to get creative!

This traditional dish is the Indonesian take on salad. It can be enjoyed cold or warm, on its own or accompanied with rice. The dressing is made using aromatic sweet peanut sauce while the vegetables are prepared two ways: steamed (carrot, potato, beans) and raw (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber).

This dish consists of a star component: smashed fried chicken. The meat is seasoned and first cooked in Bumbu Kuning (yellow spices) before being deep fried in hot palm oil. It is then smashed on a mortar with a stone pestle which makes the meat extra tender and moist before being coated with more spices made using tamarind, lime juice, shrimp paste, tomatoes, anchovies, chili, shallots and garlic.

There are more than 300 types of sambal in Indonesia, and sambal matah is the favorite in Bali. This extra spicy assemblage is the perfect companion for any Balinese dish and it is made using chili, lime, garlic, lemongrass and shallows pounded coarsely in a traditional stone pestle and mortar. It is further seasoned with salt, sugar, shrimp paste and oil to achieve that distinct hot and aromatic flavors.

Tired after spending the entire day at the beach? Cool down with an ice-cold drink and a plate of the finest Balinese BBQ meat. Bali has its own unique way of cooking up the perfect steak, with noticeable Korean and Brazilian influences. As different BBQ joints have their own approach of grilling, get ready to have your taste buds surprised!

Indonesia is famous for its instant noodles - so why not try some while you are there? The local instant noodles offer a huge variety of flavors of unique seasonings, and they have long been considered as comfort food rather than a quick meal. When served in restaurants, they are usually completed with vegetables, meat and eggs. Plus point: many of them are available in convenient packaging that comes with a handy plastic fork - removing the need for bowls and cutlery!

Bali is more than just a beautiful island destination - it also wows visitors with its amazing gastronomy offerings. Have fun exploring!

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Gua Kelam is one of the most underrated caves in Malaysia. Also known as the Cave of Darkness, this interesting Perlis attraction is made up of two smaller connected caves known as Gua Kelam 1 and Gua Kelam 2. The journey into the cave begins at Kaki Bukit and ends unexpectedly at a beautifully landscaped open park. The gangway that runs through the cave keeps curious visitors on track while safety gears such as helmets must be put on at all times as there are several narrow areas with low ceilings and long stalactites.

The walk through Gua Kelam is a breeze, and it is unlike many of the caving experiences I’ve had. It is absolutely suitable for those who are looking to learn more about the country’s mining history, but adventure seekers can choose a different option - which brings you through the same route but ends with an one-hour river wading experience.

For the usual route: You will not get wet and you will not require a head lamp. There is very minimal climbing involved, other than a few flights of stairs.

Read also: Exploring Gua Charas Temple Cave at Panching, Kuantan

I am still in awe with what I saw.

Think you have the answers for Gua Kelam's greatest mystery? Go on a guided tour into this hidden part of the cave and make your own observations.

Although there is a map and wooden path to guide you through the cave, hiring a tour guide is a must as the cave is huge.