4 Balinese dishes that will win over those who love exotic flavors.

Text and photos: Hoang Anh

Babi Guiling - Roasted suckling pig

Babi is an indispensable dish during major holidays in Bali. This dish consists of white rice served with roasted suckling pig, local vegetables and spices, and a distinctive spicy soy sauce. The owner of Ibu Oka, the most famous roasted suckling pig restaurant in Ubud, shared that the suckling pigs used for roasting are not as small as many people imagine, but can reach a weight of 70 kg, provided they are raised properly and fed clean food to ensure excellent quality.

Traditionally, the pig is cleaned early in the morning so the host can serve it to guests at lunchtime. The chef rubs turmeric all over the pig's body to give the skin a golden, honey-like color when roasted. The belly is stuffed with a mixture of coriander, lemongrass, lime leaves, salam leaves, chili peppers, black pepper, garlic, ginger, and galangal. The entire pig is held over hot coals on large wooden stilts, continuously and slowly rotated by strong young men to ensure the meat is cooked perfectly, the spices are evenly absorbed, and the skin is crispy, fatty, and not greasy. Occasionally, the chef quickly sprinkles a little water on the burning firewood to give the dish a smoky flavor, distinct from roasted or fried pork elsewhere. This is perhaps the most appealing part of traditional Bali Guling.

Imagine, after much anticipation, a plate of roasted suckling pig is served, bursting with color and flavor, with the glossy honey-colored skin of the crispy rind, the white of the rice, the vibrant green of the characteristic spicy soy sauce, and the aroma of ginger, lemongrass, pepper, and chili. And please don't hesitate to enjoy it with your hands, following the tradition that the locals still maintain to this day.

Bebek Betutu - Braised Duck

Bebek Betutu is a dish renowned for its elaborate preparation. So much so that, before becoming popular in tourist restaurants, it required diners to order it at least a day in advance from the chef. The ducks chosen must be local ducks that graze year-round on rice grains from the picturesque rice paddies of Ubud. After being cleaned, the ducks are further rubbed with tamarind paste and salt to remove any unpleasant odor. Then, the chef stuffs them with eggs, cassava leaves, and a special spice mixture called "Bumbu Rajeng" to create the distinctive flavor of Bebek Betutu. These ducks are marinated for 8-10 hours before the chef skillfully wraps them in betel leaves and simmers them until the meat is tender and falls off the bone.

Perhaps this elaborate and time-consuming process is the secret behind the unique and delicious taste of Balinese cuisine. Currently, throughout Bali, only a handful of restaurants serve this dish, and most of them have been around for over three decades. Along with Bebek Betutu, another equally beloved variation is Bebek Goreng, a crispy fried duck dish.

Sate - Grilled skewers

International cuisine has witnessed many excellent culinary fusions, and Balinese grilled skewers should perhaps be recognized as one of the most diverse international culinary experiences. Different cuisines offer flavors deeply rooted in different cultures, climates, and cultural characteristics, and in Bali, diners can enjoy some of the sweetest and most flavorful grilled skewers.

In Bali, people often eat Sate at large gatherings, where the host and guests sit cross-legged around a "meal platter" made from long strips of banana leaves. Along with Sate, there is fried rice, bean sprout salad, prawn crackers, and crispy roasted soybeans.

Whether it's a five-star hotel chef or a cheerful street vendor, this dish brings a shared excitement to diners as they continuously dip skewers of meat into a tray of sweet soy sauce and skillfully grill them directly over hot coals. Some restaurants serve a dipping sauce similar to the mixture used in Babi Guiling and Bebek Betutu, some adding cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin, while others grind peanuts into a paste to create a unique flavor. But for those with rumbling stomachs, the aroma of burnt sugar, the rising smoke, and the inviting sizzling sounds, don't delay the pleasure. Treat yourself to a skewer of satay or any other hot grilled dish after a long day wandering the romantic streets of Bali!

Masakan Padang - A selection of rice dishes

Padang is the name of a Minangkabau village in West Sumatra, Indonesia, and Masakan Padang means "Dishes of Padang Village." Most Minangkabau are Muslim, and their cuisine is based on a strict diet that excludes pork. However, in Bali, you'll witness a culinary fusion and refinement, as the locals skillfully prepare beef, buffalo, goat, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish, including offal, in flavorful dishes.

Padang cuisine is a testament to the influence of East Indian and Middle Eastern culinary traditions in Indonesia, with dishes cooked in thick, creamy coconut curry sauces and using a wide variety of spice blends. The menu changes daily, and the dishes are simply those displayed in a glass case. Diners can easily glance at the menu to see if a restaurant has their favorite dish. If undecided, the waiter will recommend or help you choose popular dishes such as Rendang – spicy beef stew, fried chicken, fish curry, and of course, sambal, a popular spicy sauce in Bali. All dishes are quickly served with hot rice. Side vegetables mainly consist of boiled cassava leaves, or young jackfruit and cabbage served with curry sauce.

Please don't be surprised when Makasan Padang restaurants offer you a Kobokan, a bowl of water with a slice of lime, before serving your food. This water is used to wash your hands before and after eating, as traditionally, Balinese people only use their bare hands to handle food. If you are uncomfortable eating with bare hands, politely ask for a fork and spoon. By now, you can see the difference in Balinese culinary style, even in the way people eat.

Additional information:

Bali is located in eastern Indonesia, more than 1,000km west of the capital Jakarta. With an area of ​​approximately 5,632km2 and a population of over 3.15 million people, it is one of the most densely populated islands in the world.

Bali is famous for many titles such as "Island of Peace" and "Morning of the World." However, the name "Island of Gods" is perhaps most closely associated with the island's diverse religious culture. Visitors can experience some of this diversity through Bali's unique culinary art.

The Thanh