12 Must-Try Dishes in Bali, Indonesia

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!



12 Must-Try Dishes in Bali, Indonesia

Mini Rijsttafel

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).

Mini Rijsttafel in bali
Mini Rijsttafel in Bali
Mini Rijsttafel in bali
In Bali, a Rijsttafel set comes with up to 40 side dishes cooked in a variety of ways and served with rice!


Sate Lilit

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”.

sate lilit in bali
Sate Lilit in Bali
Photo credit: idntimes


Sate in Bali

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.

bali street food satay
Delicious sate in Bali
bali street food sate
Street vendors grilling freshly skewered sate
famous sate in bali indonesia
Sate found on the Balinese streets


Balinese Coffee

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.

balinese coffee
Local Balinese Coffee is a must-try when in Bali!
coffee in bali
The Kintamani Balinese coffee is a famous selection in here


Klepon

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!

klepon bali, indonesia
Extra sweet Klepon with paln sugar filling in Bali
jajanan pasar bali, indonesia
Klepon is just one of Bali's many jajanan pasar or market/street snacks 
popular bali street food
There are plenty of choices available when it comes to street snacks in Bali


Betutu

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.

Ayam Betutu Bali dish
Ayam Betutu Bali is a well seasoned and delicious dish in Bali


Nasi Campur

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!

best nasi campur in bali
Nasi Campur makes a cheap and quick meal in Bali


Gado Gado

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).

where to eat gado gado in bali
Gado Gado is an uniquely Indonesian salad made using blanched vegetables, eggs, rice cakes, tempeh and toufu - served drenched in sweet peanut sauce.


Ayam Penyet

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.

best ayam penyet in bali
Ayam Penyet served with hot white rice and a variety of side dishes in Bali


Sambal Matah

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.

Sambal Matah bali
The ever popular, spicy and delicious sambal matah from Bali.
Photo credit: Indonesian Original Recipes


Grilled BBQ Meat

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!

best bbq pork in bali
Grilled BBQ Meat is the perfect wind-down meal in Bali
grilled fish in bali, indonesia
Balinese-style grilled fish or ikan panggang smothered with spices is one of my favorite dishes there!


Instant Noodles

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!

Instant Noodles in bali, indonesia
Try the local instant noodles not because it's quick and cheap, but because it's an iconic "meal" in Indonesia!

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

Don't forget to share your travel & dining moments with us on Instagram by tagging @rollinggrace or #RollingGrace. Happy travelling!

Comments

  1. Would love to try the sate lilit which looks quite delicious and meaty. :D

    The Balinese coffee is a must for java lovers like me.

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  2. I've been to Bali several times but I don't think I've come across Mini Rijsttafel before. Or maybe I did, without knowing its name.

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  3. i went to Bali last 2y but a very short trip, never had chance to try everything u mention. maybe next trip

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  4. Although I haven't been to Bali, I love sate lilit. I usually eat it a Ole Ole Bali restaurant. It's super delicious. Thank you for sharing this cool post.

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  5. All the food looks tempting enough to put Bali in my wish list of next destination.

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  6. The food looks good and delicious. Must cari Bali's restaurant la macam ni, since we cannot go there 😁🤩

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  7. Huwaaa.. I never been to Bali yet. Jeles la tgk ramai member yang dah ke sana. Dah la pemandangan cantik, makanan pun menggoda. Tp i dengar kat Bali agak susah sikit nak cari makanan halal

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  8. hahahaha~ instant noodle tu kat mana-mana negara pun wajib.. tapi tak jauh beza ya makanan Malaysia dan Bali.. menarik..

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  9. Ada certain tu Sis dapat makan kerika ke Bandung dulu, ada certain tak jumpa.. memang nak kena ke Bali laaa nanti.. Gado-Gado tu sedap kann..

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  10. a LOVELY tasty list shared & making me miss my Bali trips so much, miss their satayssss & Gado gado the most :D cheers, siennylovesdrawing

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  11. Wow there are so many awesome food to try in Bali, i only get to try some of them when i was there 2 years ago.

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