Are you a traveller who loves to try out local food wherever you go? If the answer to that is yes, you will love Bali, Lombok and Nusa Lembongan. Each of these islands has much to offer when it comes to delicious indigenous cuisine. Make sure you try some of these favourites during your vacation. Local food in Bali is a delight and you must experience it at least once during your trip. Our in-villa chef will be pleased to serve these up, with a touch of local flair.

1. Bebek/AyamBetutu (Balinese smoked duck/chicken)

A rich and spicy poultry dish, it is often made for special days or temple ceremonies. Interestingly, this dish is native both to Bali and Lombok, though methods of cooking and flavours may vary from region to region. Do sample it within the villa, as well as in restaurants around the island, to appreciate the variety of its preparations.

2. Urap Sayur (Blanched vegetables, seasoned and spiced with coconut) 

Photo credit: Gunawan Kartapranata / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) 

This traditional Javanese salad is made with blanched vegetables. It is an ideal accompaniment to a curry or any other Indonesian dish. Light and fresh, the spice levels can be modulated by varying the amount of sambal used.

3. Pepes Ikan (Grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves)

Pepes is a unique Indonesian style of cooking. The food is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or grilled on charcoal. You will love Pepes Ikan where the fish is either minced or cooked whole. It is seasoned with delicious herbs before being sealed within a banana leaf, which locks in the delicious flavours.

4. Babi Guling (Suckling pig, roasted on the spit)

Possibly the most iconic Balinese dish, Babi Guling is perfect to be enjoyed with a large group. It is usually served with several tasty side dishes such as lawar (vegetable salad mixed with spices), sambal (chilli sauce) and steamed rice.

Babi Guling is very popular in Bali, but you may not find it in Lombok as pork is prohibited in Islam.

5. Satay or Sate (Meat skewers)

Satay is a famous snack found across Southeast Asia. However, its preparation differs by region. In Bali’s Sate Lilit, meat is minced and mixed with a selection of spices before being wrapped around lemongrass sticks and served with Balinese sambal to add some spice. Lombok’s Sate Ikan Tanjung, on the other hand, uses tuna or snapper, which is marinated with coconut milk and garlic before being grilled on similar lemongrass sticks.

For a taste of Bali, book a private villa now and we’ll be happy to craft a holiday for you that showcases the best that Bali has to offer.