Bali is a destination that many people seek, whether it’s domestic or international tourists. Indulging in local cuisine is integral to traveling, and Bali has a lot more to offer. Regarding culinary adventures, this island of Gods offers more than just beach clubs and trendy cafes.
Balinese food is exceptional. It’s processed with various spices, making the quality and taste distinctive. Even though Bali is famous for its pork, that doesn’t mean you can’t find other delightful cuisines besides pork. And If you are looking for a satisfying meal in Bali with value for money, these five suggestions we have for you are a must to go!
Nasi Pedas Bu Hanif
Just like its name, Nasi Pedas Bu Hanis is famous for its extra spicy chili sauce. Located in the corner of Pasar Kuta, this humble stall is open from 6 PM WITA until midnight. They are serving Indonesian food that you’ll quickly find delectable. They have plenty of choices of vegetables and proteins. With only IDR 20,000, you can get three dishes (1 vegetable option and two protein options), including rice and a heap of their famous Sambal.
No tourists, no queue, especially when you go at 6 PM when they are just open. I arrived at 5.45 PM, and not long after that, the locals and some online drivers started to queue to order dinner or takeaways.
The first thing that catches my eyes when I arrive is their big jar full of fiery red sambals. Since it is still relatively early when I arrive, the sambals are still full to the brims, and they are not stingy when serving them.
Another thing that brings a delightful experience when eating here is their selection of vegetables. I chose their Siamese pumpkin vegetables, cooked just right and flavorful while maintaining their crunchy texture. But of course, the Sambal took away the highlight; this spicy yet savory condiment adds as the Pièce de résistance. The spicy flavor will fill your mouth and offer an explosion of blends of spices and texture; complete your meal with some crackers, and you will experience the complete delight of a traditional Indonesian food stall.
Jl. Raya Kuta No.124, Kuta, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Warung Nasi Maaaaak
In Bahasa Indonesia, the word “Warung” refers to a store where you can buy food or other items. In contrast, Maaaaak is derived from the word “Mak,” which in Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Indonesia means “mother” or “ma’am.” The name fits nicely with their intention to make everyone who dines there feel at home.
Bringing freshly sourced, home-cooked cuisine to the streets of Berawa, Canggu, without using MSG. This modest establishment was founded with the good intention of aiding the local Balinese who had lost their employment and were going without a healthy supper—using the warung idea, providing wholesome home food in a welcoming environment.
Its peculiar method of ordering from behind a glass rack where you point to the condiments you want in your dish, also referred to as the “touchscreen” system, is quite common in Indonesia. The warung’s signature Telur Dadar Maaaaak – a fried egg with a twist; is a must-try dish that has received rave customer reviews. It is crispy and savory, the perfect dish to go with a warm plate of rice.
Warung Maaaaak serves dishes starting from IDR 14,000 from vegetables, chicken, and even some vegan-friendly choices. They also provide different rice selections from white rice, red rice, and their famous yellow rice.
Warung Mek Juwel Nasi Campur Ayam
One of the most well-known foods in Bali is nasi campur, sometimes referred to as “Balinese Mixed Rice,” and you can find it wherever. This dish is served in the form of rice accompanied by a variety of delicious side dishes, including betutu chicken, lawar, pindang eggs, satay, sambal matah, sambal embe, grilled chicken, fried noodles, liver gizzard, and many more.
Warung Mek Juwel is a legendary place to eat in Bali. The food stall was established in the 1970s. Seeing the whole side dish served on top of rice, you will immediately be tempted to taste it.
The betutu chicken is tender with a slightly spicy taste. When combined with rice and other side dishes, the flavor blends perfectly. Their satay wrap offers a soft texture with a savory taste.
Jl. Melati, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki
Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki is one of the famous food stalls in Bali. So far, they already have five branches spread through Jimbaran, Kuta, and more. They provide plentiful servings of rice topped with crunchy peanuts, assorted veggies, satay lilit, shredded chicken, and delectable Sambal.
Their Nasi Campur selections start from IDR 14,300 to IDR 35,200 for the Nasi Campur Special. This time I chose Nasi Campur Biasa, consisting of white rice, fried chicken, chicken betutu, shredded chicken, hard-boiled egg, lawar, and Sambal.
As with other Balinese culinary specialties, the taste of this dish is quite spicy for those who are not used to it. But, aside from their flavourful Sambal, the dish is quite spicy, from the chicken betutu that is full of spices to the shredded chicken. Even though it is pretty spicy, it’s not the level of spicy that will numb your tongue; you could still taste the savory each dish has to offer.
Warung Lawar Kuwir Men Koko
Lawar is a Balinese dish created from a combination of chopped vegetables. The base genep, a mixture of spices, makes up the marinade. Long beans, sprouts, and cucumbers are the vegetables used to make the traditional Balinese dish Lawar Kuwir. Grated coconut is combined with base genep seasoning. The vegetables were then chopped into small pieces and thoroughly cleaned. Because the vegetables aren’t cooked, Lawar has a savory and fresh flavor. In comparison, “kuwir” refers to shredded meat.
You will easily find Lawar served with pork in Bali; however, shredded duck meat is typically served for Lawar Kuwir, served along with warm white rice. Some vendors who sell Lawar Kuwir also include shredded chicken betutu in their dishes.
Lawar Kuwir Men Koko, located in Kuta, offers traditional Lawar Kuwir dishes that are humble yet packed full of flavor. This restaurant serves a variety of chicken & duck menus, and various rice & satays, which are priced at low prices.
Apart from lawar kuwir, there are nine other menus that you can taste while at Kedai Men Koko. You can order lawar gedang made from papaya fruit vegetables, pepes kuwir, lawar starfruit, lawar klungah made from young coconut shells, ares sauce, Balinese chili sauce, and others.
Surprising Chinese Origins">
