Category: Travel Tips

10 Traditional Foods in Bali You Must Try as a Tourist!

Post author By Kelly Williams
Post date November 12, 2024
No Comments on 10 Traditional Foods in Bali You Must Try as a Tourist!

10 Traditional Foods in Bali You Must Try as a Tourist!

Home » Travel Tips

10 Traditional Foods in Bali You Must Try as a Tourist!

With recipes that go back centuries, traditional food dishes in Bali act as a tangible representation of history connecting present-day humans to the past. Thus, Bali’s gastronomy works to bring culture, spirituality, and local ingredients together and builds unique culinary experiences for tourists.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Bali, here are 10 traditional foods that will offer you an authentic taste of Bali’s heritage along with a deeper connection to its traditions.

You Might Also Like: 11 Historical Places in Bali to Visit This Year

1. Babi Guling

Image source: IG @bumbubalirestaurant

Babi Guling, the Suckling Pig, is not just Bali’s most legendary dish, but also one that represents the region’s cuisine most beautifully. Most tourists land with this traditional Balinese food already on their itinerary.

Babi Guling involves a fairly extensive preparatory process; the recipe involves coating a piglet with spices, letting it marinate, and then fully stuffing it with basa gede or the traditional Balinese spice paste. The unique combination of spices and the piglet meat come together in a delicious blend once roasted.

2. Betutu

Image source: IG @ramdhinisiti

Betutu is cooked in a similar way as Babi Guling, however the ingredients are slightly different.

Betutu is made with both duck (Bebek Betutu) and Chicken (Ayam Betutu), and makes use of a tamarind-based spice paste. Betutu also uses banana leaves to wrap the meat for over 24 hours, after which it is slow-cooked in bamboo bark for a rich taste profile. The dish is traditionally served with vegetables and sambal (Balinese chill sauce).

Betutu has a long history in Bali, and is believed to have been cooked first during the Majapahit era.

3. Lawar

Image source: IG @lins_chandr

Lawar is a unique traditional Balinese dish with minced meat (any of your choice), grated coconut, and a spice mix called “base genep.”

The flavor profile of this traditional dish can vary greatly depending on the options available:

1. Choice of Meat: The type of meat you select plays a significant role in shaping the dish’s taste.

2. Types of Lawar: There are two main variations of Lawar:

Lawar Barak (Red Lawar): Includes coconut and animal blood, giving it a richer flavor.
Lawar Putih (White Lawar): A simpler version made with coconut, offering a milder taste.

3. Combination of Lawar: A mix of various types of Lawar is called Lawar Padamare, which combines the unique flavors of each variant.

Check Out: Do’s and Don’t in Bali as a Tourist!

4. Sate Lilit

The word “Lilit” literally means to wrap around.

Sate Lilit can be made with any kind of meat, even turtle meat which is blended with grated coconut, coconut milk, and other ingredients and then wrapped around natural plant sticks.. The signifying factor behind Sate Lilit is its wrapping around the sticks which may be bamboo, sugarcane, or lemongrass sticks.

Sate Lilit is easily available at many Warungs (family-business eateries) in Bali.

Not sure how to fill your itinerary? Check out our suggested itineraries here.

5. Nasi Campur

The word Campur literally means ‘mixed’ in Indonesian, and Nasi Campur fits perfectly.

Nasi Campur is a rice bowl with various side dishes of your choice. While some side dishes are common, you can expect to see a range of options from different Warungs/restaurants. However, if you want to try out different flavors for your Nasi Campur, going for a buffet is the best option.

Some common side dishes include,

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6. Urutan

Image source: IG @chef_kompiang

Even if you’ve eaten sausages a million times already, Urutan or Balinese sausage will still come as a surprise!

Urutan is a sun-dried fermented sausage made with pork, spices, and coconut milk. It is rich and aromatic and holds a special place in Balinese cuisine.

Often served at festivals, Urutan represents the island’s bold and flavorful approach to food. While traditionally, Urutan uses pork, you can easily find many halal versions too.

7. Tipat Cantok

Image source: IG @warung_men_runtu

Tipat Cantok is a common Balinese traditional food dish that is easily available at most local Warungs.

Tipat Cantok is a vegetarian-friendly dish and includes boiled rice cakes served with peanut sauce and vegetables. Additionally, restaurants may also serve tahu (firm tofu) or fried tempeh (fermented soy blocks) with it.

Check Out: 13 Important Ceremonies in Bali You Should Know

8. Serombotan

Image source: IG @rahayuni_evendi

Serombotan is a vegan-friendly side dish that uses fresh vegetables with coconut, beans, and sambal as topping.

The toppings make Serombotan perfect for those who want to enjoy the freshness of Bali’s produce without missing out on the island’s bold flavors

9. Balinese Coffee

Balinese Coffee or Kopi Bali, is famous for its bold flavor. Kopi Bali has strong historical roots, with businesses that have been involved in it for generations, over centuries.

Among all Indonesian coffees, Kopi Luwak is the most famous one, however, in Bali Arabica and Robusta are exceptional too.

You Might Also Like: The History of Coffee in Indonesia

10. Martabak

With different versions of it consumed all across Asia, Balinese Martabak is one of the most popular local traditional foods.

In Bali, Martabak is available as both sweet (martabak manis) and savory (martabak telur). Martabak can be best described as a stuffed-pancake, with chocolate or banana filling for martabak manis and egg, onion, meat, and seasonings for martabak telur.

Where to Find Authentic Balinese Food?

1. For the most authentic taste of Balinese cuisine, visit local food markets and small warungs (family-owned eateries).

2. These spots serve traditional dishes made with love and time-honored recipes, and you will also get the best deals here.

Interested in exploring more of Bali’s traditions and history? Check out unique local-led walking tours in Ubud.

Kelly Williams

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All Travel Tips

10 Best Historical Tours to Check Out in Indonesia This Year [Updated]

Post author By Kelly Williams
Post date September 17, 2024
No Comments on 10 Best Historical Tours to Check Out in Indonesia This Year [Updated]

10 Best Historical Tours to Check Out in Indonesia This Year [Updated]

Home » Travel Tips

Indonesian history is a mix of conflict, religion, and culture. To help you find the right tour to explore Indonesian heritage, we have compiled a list of the 10 best historical tours in Indonesia.

These tours offer unparalleled insights into the Indonesian people’s lives, practices, and architecture, among many other things.

You Might Also Like: Best Ubud Cultural Tour Packages for You to Check Out!

1. Ubud: Past to Present - Walk Through the Centuries!

Location: Ubud, Bali

Duration: 3 Hours

Price:

Ubud: Past to Present is a perfect all-rounded tour that covers the entire history of the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali in just a few hours.

This historical tour will take you on a journey through the transition from “Old Bali” to modern-day Ubud as it covers key sites such as the monumental Hindu temple of Pura Gunung Lebah.

With lush green trees around, you will walk to Ubud’s Palace of Paintings also known as the Museum Puri Lukisan, the Royal Palace, and finally, Lempad’s House.

If you’re looking for the perfect chance at cultural exploration of beautiful Balinese sites, book this trip now!

2. Lempad’s Legacy Tour and High Tea - Explore Ubud’s Art, Architecture, and History

Location: Ubud, Bali

Duration: 3 Hours

Price: Contact for Availability

I Gusti Nyoman Lempad is one of Bali’s most prominent artists and architects famous for a rumored ability to predict his own death. This rumor along with his significant contributions to Indonesian art led to a global interest in his life and work.

“Lempad’s Legacy Tour and High Tea” is designed to help people discover this majestic artist’s work and see its glory firsthand. You will visit key places, such as the Royal Palace and Saraswati Temple. These sites present his work in Ubud with an overview of his work, life, and legacy.

If you’re interested in Indonesia’s rich artistic history, you will definitely appreciate this tour. Check it out here!

3. The Myth of Pejeng - Learn About the Legends of Pejeng

Location: Pejeng, Bali

Duration: 2 hours

Price:

“The Myth of Pejeng” tour is designed to highlight the beautiful religious history of Bali and its connection with the Buddhist-Hindu heritage.

Located in the Petanu River Valley, Bali’s Pejeng village is home to the famous Moon of Pejeng temple and the Pura Pusering Jagat temple. This historical tour will give you mesmerizing experiences of these holy places along with a chance to see the world’s largest single-cast bronze kettle drum which dates back thousands of years.

Your tour guide will take you to fascinating local sites such as burial grounds, centuries-old local stores, and beautiful artifacts.

Find out more about the “The Myth of Pejeng” tour here.

4. Bandung City Walk Tour

Location: Bandung, West Java

Duration: 3.5 hours

Price: Rp 508,035/$ 33

Bandung, also referred to as the “Paris of Java” is home to unique architecture which is a blend of European and Indonesian styles.

As part of this tour, you will get to visit historical Art-Deco-style buildings and other important sites. Highlights include Gedung Sate, one of Bandung’s most iconic buildings, and Asia-Afrika Street, which hosted the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference.

5. Koto Gadang Historical Walk Tour

Location: Koto Gadang, Sumatra

Duration: 2 hours

Price: Rp 450,000/$29.21

Koto Gandang is a small yet centuries-old village hosting over 2,500 people and is known for the high value it places on education.

This historical walk gives an overview of colonial-era architecture and includes a visit to local homes. For an additional Rp 100,000, you can also visit the Koto Gadang Wall.

While architecture, education, and the natural beauty of the region are key drivers, many people also come to interact with the local Minangkabau community.

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6. Kawa Putih Heritage Tour

Location: Ciwidey, Bandung

Duration: 4 hours

Price: Rp 800,000/$51.93

The “Kawa Putih Heritage” historical tour takes its name from the Kawa Putih lake, a unique volcanic crater lake that is the endpoint of the tour.

The tour starts from local rice terraces and takes the visitors through village homes, the old train bridge, and then a hike up Mount Patuha.

Overall, you will learn about the history of Kawa Putih and how it connects with the Dutch colonial rule in Java.

7. Hindu Kingdoms Tour - Spend a Day Exploring Ancient Hindu Temples

Location: Yogyakarta, Java

Duration: 4 hours

Price: Rp 1,862,795/$121

The Hindu Kingdoms Tour will take you on a journey through the history of Hinduism via temples, stone carvings, and ceremonies.

It revolves around the Prambanan Temples which are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A breathtaking sight to see, it is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple and is full of intricate carvings and towering spires.

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8. Ruins of The Majapahit Kingdom Tour

Location: Mojokerto, Java

Duration: 2 hours

Price: Rp 300,000/$19.47

Trowulan is a key archaeological site in Mojokerto, Indonesia, and hosts the remains of the powerful Majapahit kingdom which was once the center of a vast maritime empire.

Highlights of this tour include the paduraksa-style Candi Bajang Ratu gate and the Tikus Temple, a place of ritual purification.

9. Kota Tua City Tour

Location: Jakarta

Duration: 5 hours

Price: Rp 550,000/$35.70

Kota Tua, literally translating to “Old Town”, is a locality in Jakarta preserving the old city remnants.

This unique historical tour goes through the streets of Kota Tua and its important landmarks such as the Jakarta Old Port, Fatahillah Museum, and the Wayang Museum.

Location: Tenganan, Bali

10. Tenganan Pegringsingan Tour

Duration: 2 hours

Price: Rp 450,000/$29.21

What better way to experience Indonesian heritage than to witness the preserved traditions of the Indigenous Balinese people?

The Pegringsingan village is home to the Bali Aga with their unique practices.

This tour will give you a glimpse into the lives of this native community through their homes, one-of-a-kind weaving practices, and the magical powers that they attribute to the objects around them.

You Might Also Like: List of Most Exciting Walking Tours in Ubud (With Prices)!

Check Out Ubud Story Walks!

Indonesia’s rich history, art, and heritage are treasures waiting to be explored. Whether you’re passionate about history and architecture or are drawn to cultural experiences, there are multiple heritage tours that will captivate you.

Looking to go beyond the typical path for your trip to Indonesia? Check out Ubud Story Walks for immersive experiences that you will forever look back to!