27 Traditional Balinese Dishes: Rich in Flavor and Tradition!

Bali is not only famous for its beautiful beaches but also for its enticing culinary heritage. For those looking to experience Bali on a deeper level, tasting its traditional dishes is one of the best ways to do so. Here are 27 traditional Balinese dishes you must try during your visit!

27 Traditional Balinese Foods You Have to Try

1. Ayam Betutu
Ayam Betutu is a whole chicken seasoned with Balinese spices like turmeric, ginger, candlenut, and chili, then slowly cooked wrapped in banana leaves until tender. The slow cooking process can take hours, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat. It’s often served during traditional ceremonies or large family gatherings.

2. Babi Guling
Babi Guling, or Balinese roast pork, is an iconic dish served during major celebrations. A whole pig is stuffed with a blend of spices and slowly roasted until the skin is perfectly crispy. It’s typically enjoyed with lawar, sambal, and white rice.

3. Sate Lilit
Sate Lilit is made from minced meat (commonly chicken, fish, or pork) mixed with grated coconut, coconut milk, and Balinese spices, then wrapped around lemongrass sticks or bamboo skewers. Grilling releases a fragrant aroma and a distinct spicy-savory flavor. It’s a staple in traditional Balinese meals.

4. Lawar
Lawar is a unique combination of vegetables, grated coconut, and minced meat seasoned with Balinese spices. There are many variations, like chicken lawar, pork lawar, or jackfruit lawar. It’s typically served fresh due to the use of natural, preservative-free ingredients.

5. Nasi Campur Bali
Balinese Nasi Campur consists of white rice served with various side dishes such as shredded chicken, sate lilit, lawar, boiled eggs, sambal matah, and mixed vegetables. Every bite offers a blend of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors. It’s a popular choice among tourists for its variety and convenience.

6. Sambal Matah
Sambal Matah is an essential element of Balinese cuisine. Made from finely sliced shallots, bird’s eye chilies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and coconut oil, it offers a fresh spiciness unlike any other sambal. It pairs perfectly with many Balinese dishes.

7. Tum Ayam
Tum Ayam features minced chicken seasoned with spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. This method allows the spices to thoroughly infuse the meat, producing a savory, aromatic, and slightly spicy flavor, ideal for those wanting to try traditional steamed dishes.

8. Serombotan
Serombotan is a Balinese salad of boiled vegetables like water spinach, spinach, bean sprouts, and long beans, served with a rich coconut sambal. It’s savory, spicy, and refreshing — perfect for a healthy meal in Bali.

9. Jukut Ares
Jukut Ares is a traditional soup made from young banana stems, usually combined with pieces of chicken or pork. The broth is savory and rich, offering a unique texture and flavor from the tender banana stems and Balinese spices.

10. Tipat Cantok
Tipat Cantok is a dish of rice cakes (ketupat) drizzled with a rich peanut sauce and served with boiled vegetables like long beans, bean sprouts, and water spinach. The taste is a delicious mix of sweet, savory, and spicy.

11. Bebek Timbungan
Bebek Timbungan is a luxurious Balinese dish where seasoned duck meat is stuffed into bamboo tubes and slowly roasted. The result is incredibly tender duck infused with the aroma of bamboo and spices.

12. Nasi Tepeng
Originating from Gianyar, Bali, Nasi Tepeng is a semi-soft rice dish similar to porridge, served with toppings like long beans, young jackfruit, shredded chicken, and sambal. It’s a hearty and spicy option, perfect for a traditional Balinese breakfast.

13. Rujak Bulung
Rujak Bulung uses seaweed as its main ingredient, mixed with spicy coconut sambal and lime juice. It’s refreshing, slightly salty, spicy, and a healthy snack option.

14. Laklak
Laklak are small, round traditional cakes, naturally green from pandan leaves, served with grated coconut and drizzled with melted palm sugar. They are chewy and mildly sweet.

15. Es Daluman
This refreshing drink is made with green grass jelly (daluman leaves) combined with coconut milk and palm sugar — ideal for cooling off in Bali’s tropical heat.

16. Jaje Bali
Jaje Bali refers to a variety of traditional Balinese cakes usually served during religious ceremonies. Popular varieties include klepon, laklak, and wajik, all made with rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar for a naturally sweet taste.

17. Srombotan Klungkung
The Klungkung version of Serombotan is known for its extra spiciness and richer seasoning. Boiled vegetables, peanut sauce, and grated coconut mix into a perfect blend of savory and spicy flavors.

18. Nasi Jinggo
Nasi Jinggo is a small portion of rice wrapped with simple side dishes like shredded chicken, fried noodles, and sambal. Originally a worker’s meal, it has become a favorite grab-and-go snack for tourists.

19. Lawar Kuwir
Lawar Kuwir uses duck meat (instead of pork or chicken) for a richer, chewier texture. It’s usually served at religious ceremonies and has a more robust flavor.

20. Sate Plecing
Unlike Sate Lilit, Sate Plecing features grilled beef or chicken skewers served with a spicy, fresh plecing sambal — a Balinese specialty.

21. Tipat Blayag
Tipat Blayag is a specialty from Buleleng, consisting of rice cakes served with savory coconut milk gravy, shredded chicken, and crispy crackers. It’s light yet rich in flavor.

22. Tum Bebek
Similar to Tum Ayam, Tum Bebek uses minced duck seasoned with spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed. It offers a richer, more aromatic taste.

23. Bubur Mengguh
Bubur Mengguh is a savory Balinese porridge typically served with shredded chicken, coconut milk sauce, and crispy fried shallots — comfort food perfect for breakfast.

24. Lawar Barak
Lawar Barak is a variant of lawar that includes fresh pig’s blood, giving it a reddish color. It’s traditionally served during ceremonial offerings.

25. Es Tambring
Es Tambring is a refreshing drink made from young coconut water, tamarind, shredded coconut, and a hint of sugar. Its sour-sweet taste is perfect for Bali’s hot weather.

26. Es Kuwut
Es Kuwut is a refreshing mix of young coconut, melon, lime, and syrup, originally from Sanur. It’s sweet, fresh, and hugely popular among tourists.

27. Tipat Sate
Tipat Sate combines rice cakes with skewered pork or chicken satay, usually served with a spicy peanut sauce — a street food favorite across Bali.

Tips for Enjoying Balinese Cuisine

• Choose local eateries: Traditional warungs often offer more authentic flavors compared to tourist restaurants.
  
• Prepare for spicy food: Many Balinese dishes are generously spiced with chilies and sambal.
  
• Ask about ingredients: If you have dietary restrictions (halal, vegetarian, seafood allergy), confirm ingredients before ordering.
  
• Prioritize hygiene: Choose clean eating places to avoid digestive issues during your trip.

Why You Should Try Balinese Food

Balinese cuisine is a window into the island’s culture and traditions. Every dish tells a story of religious ceremonies, communal values, and a philosophy of living harmoniously with nature. By tasting local food, you not only satisfy your hunger but also enrich your overall travel experience.

Ready to savor all 27 must-try Balinese dishes?

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FAQ About Traditional Balinese Food

What traditional Balinese foods are must-tries?
Some must-try dishes include Ayam Betutu, Babi Guling, Sate Lilit, Lawar, Nasi Campur Bali, Bebek Timbungan, and Es Daluman, each bursting with authentic Balinese spices.

Which Balinese foods are suitable for vegetarians?
Vegetarian-friendly options include Serombotan (vegetable salad with coconut sambal), Tipat Cantok (rice cakes with peanut sauce), Laklak (traditional cakes), and some vegetable-based Nasi Campur varieties.

Is all Balinese food spicy?
Not all dishes are extremely spicy, but many use sambal matah or plecing sauce, which can be quite hot. You can request a milder spice level when ordering.

What’s the difference between Sate Lilit and regular satay?
Sate Lilit uses minced and seasoned meat wrapped around lemongrass or bamboo sticks, rather than skewered chunks like regular satay, offering a more fragrant and flavorful experience.

Where’s the best place to try traditional Balinese food?
Local warungs, traditional markets, and renowned restaurants in areas like Ubud, Gianyar, and Denpasar are great for authentic tastes.

Are there halal Balinese foods available?
Yes, halal options include Ayam Betutu, chicken Sate Lilit, Nasi Campur with chicken or fish, and many traditional sweets like Laklak. Always ask about the ingredients to be sure.

What is Lawar in Balinese cuisine?
Lawar is a traditional mix of vegetables, grated coconut, and minced meat, seasoned with Balinese spices. Some types, like Lawar Barak, include fresh blood, so it’s good to inquire beforehand.

Which Balinese foods are good for souvenirs?
Dry snacks or traditional sweets like Jaje Bali (traditional cakes), sambal matah chips, or bottled Balinese sambal make excellent souvenirs.

How to enjoy Sambal Matah without it being too spicy?
Try small amounts first or request sambal matah prepared with extra coconut oil to mellow the heat without losing the flavor.

Is traditional Balinese food available outside Bali?
Some Indonesian restaurants in major cities offer Balinese dishes like Ayam Betutu and Sate Lilit, but tasting them in Bali provides the most authentic experience.