25+ Popular Foods In Bali - Your Culinary Guide

Want to experience delicious foods in Bali? Balinese cuisine blends traditional Indonesian flavors with Indian and Chinese influences, creating something truly unique. From aromatic spices to fresh herbs, every dish tells a story.

Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover, Bali's food caters to everyone. Must-tries include Babi Guling (roasted pork), Nasi Campur (mixed rice plates), Sate Lilit (minced meat skewers), and Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck). Vegetarians can feast on Gado Gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce) and Sayur Urab (spiced coconut vegetables).

The best part? You don't need fancy restaurants. Street food stalls and night markets serve authentic local flavors at unbeatable prices. Ready to explore Bali's culinary adventure? Book Bali Trip Packages now and make the most of your vacation!

The Secret To Reading Any Bali Menu

Once you crack the code, ordering in Bali becomes a fun puzzle. Take nasi goreng, nasi means rice, goreng means fried. Put them together: fried rice! You just decoded one of the most famous foods in Bali without breaking a sweat!

Know What You’re Ordering

• nasi = rice
• mie = noodles
• ayam = chicken
• bebek = duck
• babi = pork
• sapi = beef
• ikan = fish
• kambing = lamb or goat
• bakso = meatball
• cabe = chili
• pisang = banana

Decode The Cooking Methods

• Goreng = tossed and fried in a sizzling wok
• Sate = skewered meat grilled over tiny charcoal flames
• Bakar = barbecued over a proper charcoal grill
• Kari = simmered into a rich curry
• Kecap = slow-cooked in sweet, sticky soy sauce
• Campur = a little bit of everything on one plate
• Lilit = ground meat wrapped around a stick

Now you can mix and match like a pro! Here are the best Balinese foods you absolutely need to try.

Food In Bali For Indians - Vegetarian Dishes

Balinese cuisine offers a wide variety of vegetarian options that are rich in flavor and made with fresh ingredients. If you're looking for foods in Bali for vegetarians, here are the top dishes you shouldn't miss:

1. Gado-Gado(Salad)

Gado Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad made with a mix of fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, and spinach, which are typically lightly steamed or blanched.

The salad is then topped with boiled eggs, fried tofu, and tempeh. The dressing is a delicious peanut sauce that is slightly sweet and spicy, made with peanut butter, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and chilli peppers.

If you’re looking for food in Bali for vegetarians, it’s an excellent option, and it is also the best for vegans looking for a protein-packed meal.

• Key Ingredients: Blanched or steamed vegetables, peanut sauce
• Taste: Savory, sweet, and spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹88 (IDR 16,228)

2. Sayur Urab(Vegetable Salad)

Sayur Urab is a traditional food in Bali. It is a salad made with steamed vegetables such as green beans, spinach, bean sprouts, and grated coconut.

The dish is seasoned with a mix of Balinese spices, such as turmeric, shallots, and garlic, which give it a distinctive flavour. The salad is typically served as a side dish with rice and is an excellent option.

• Key Ingredients: Blanched or steamed vegetables like green beans, bean sprouts, and spinach
• Taste: Spicy, sweet, and sour
• Cost: Starts from ₹532 (IDR 99,237)

3. Tahu and Tempeh Goreng(Fied Fried Tofu and Tempeh)

Tahu and Tempeh Goreng are traditional Balinese cuisines that are sliced and marinated with a mix of spices, including turmeric, garlic, and coriander. They are then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown.

The dish is usually served with a sweet soy sauce or peanut sauce, which complements the savoury flavours of the tofu and tempeh. These are often served as a side dish or part of a larger Balinese meal and are a must-try if you’re looking for food in Bali for vegetarians.

• Key Ingredients: Tofu, fermented soybeans, ground garlic, salt, and coriander
• Taste: Crispy, savory
• Cost: Between ₹37 - 135 (IDR 7,000 - 25,000)

4. Jukut Ares(Traditional Soup)

Jukut Ares is a traditional Balinese soup made with a young banana stem and a mix of aromatic herbs and spices. The soup is typically cooked with coconut milk, which gives it a creamy texture and a slightly sweet taste.

The dish is often served with steamed rice and can be made with or without meat. Vegetarian versions of Jukut Ares are typically made with tofu or tempeh.

The banana stem used in the dish is high in fibre and has many health benefits, making Jukut Ares a healthy and delicious choice for anyone looking to explore Balinese cuisine.

• Key Ingredients: Tofu, tempeh, Banana stem, coconut milk
• Taste: Savory, sweet
• Cost: ₹165 - 267 (IDR 30,000 - 50,000)

5. Nasi Campur(Steamed Rice With Toppings)

Nasi Campur is a Balinese mixed rice dish consisting of steamed rice served with various side dishes. The side dishes may include vegetables, such as spinach, bean sprouts, eggplant, tofu, tempeh, and spicy sambal (chilli paste).

Meat or fish may also be included in some versions of the dish, and it’s often served in small portions as a snack or a quick meal. It is one of the most popular foods in Bali, and definitely a must-try!

• Key Ingredients: Steamed rice with a mix of vegetables, eggs, and sambal
• Taste: Spicy, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹85 (IDR 15,000)

6. Mie Goreng(Fried Noodles)

Mie Goreng is fried noodles with garlic, veggies, and whatever protein you pick. It is tossed in sweet sauce with a fried egg on top. This famous food in Bali is made fresh by street vendors in minutes.

The best part? You can customize it. Add chicken, beef, or go completely vegetarian. Skip the egg if you want it vegan. Simple, fast, & delicious.

• Key Ingredients: Yellow wheat or egg noodles
• Taste: Sweet, savory, and spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹40 (IDR 7,000)

7. Tahu Telor(Fried Tofu With Egg)

Tahu Telor is one of the famous foods in Bali, made with fried tofu and egg that are whisked together and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. The dish is typically served with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce, which complements the savoury flavours of the tofu and egg.

Tahu Telor is a popular street food in Bali, and it’s often sold by vendors from food carts or small stalls. The dish is an excellent option for those looking for a quick and satisfying snack, and it’s also perfect for breakfast or brunch.

• Key Ingredients: Fried tofu and egg omelette, peanut sauce
• Taste: Savory, sweet
• Cost: Starts from ₹135 (IDR 25,000)

Food In Bali For Indians - Non-Vegetarian Dishes

Bali's non-vegetarian dishes are where the magic happens. Pork, duck, chicken, and seafood get marinated in bold spices and grilled over charcoal. The result? Smoky, richly flavored meals that meat lovers can't resist.

8. Nasi Goreng(Fried Rice)

Nasi Goreng is one of Bali's most beloved dishes. A blend of spices gets mashed into a thick paste, then mixed with rice and cooked slowly over low heat. Vegetables get tossed in along with chicken or beef that's been marinated and fried until crispy.

Right before serving, a pat of butter goes on top, making this fried rice even richer and more delicious.

Fun Fact: Nasi Goreng is Indonesia's National dish.

• Key Ingredients: Old rice, spice paste(a mixture of ground shallots, garlic, red chilies, and shrimp paste), vegetables
• Taste: Smoky, sweet, and savory
• Cost: Between ₹107-160 (IDR 20,000 - 30,000)

Suggested Read: Merah Putih Restaurant In Bali | Fine Indonesian Dining

9. Babi Guling(Pig Roast)

Babi Guling is one of the most popular foods in Bali that consists of spit-roasted suckling pig stuffed with a mix of spices, typically including turmeric, ginger, coriander, lemongrass, and garlic. The pig is slowly roasted over an open flame until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy.

The dish is usually served with steamed rice, vegetable dishes such as lawar and urab, and a spicy sambal sauce.

• Key Ingredients: Roasted pork, spice mix(turmeric, ginger, coriander)
• Taste: Crispy, salty, and savory
• Cost: Between ₹133-245 (IDR 25,000 - 45,000)

Suggested Read: Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka Restaurant In Bali

10. Sate Ayam(Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Sate Ayam is chicken on a stick, grilled over charcoal, and smothered in peanut sauce. It might sound simple, but it's the best food in Bali.

Street vendors have mostly disappeared from popular areas, which means the most authentic versions are hiding in local neighborhoods, still cooking over the same sidewalk grills they've used for decades.

• Key Ingredients: Chicken, sweet soy sauce, garlic, shallots, coriander, cumin, and lime juice
• Taste: Smoky, savory
• Cost: Between ₹110 - 1,607 (IDR 20,000 - 300,000)

11. Sate Babi(Grilled Pork Skewers)

Once you've tried Babi Guling, explore its street version: Sate Babi. This famous food in Bali is what locals grab for a quick snack between meals.

Marinated pork pieces are cooked over small charcoal grills, served with either white rice or lontong(dense rice cooked in banana leaves that you can slice like a cake). A spoonful of tomato sambal tops it off.

• Key Ingredients: Pork, spices like garlic, shallots
• Taste: Sweet, savory, and spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹270 (IDR 50,000)

12. Ikan Bakar(Grilled Fish)

Once you have picked your fish, it is rubbed with turmeric, garlic, and chili, then grilled over charcoal until the edges blacken. The smoky meat falls apart on your tongue. It is served with sambal, that fiery chili paste they put on everything. Fair warning: it's dangerously spicy and completely addictive.

• Key Ingredients: Whole fish, turmeric, garlic, and chili
• Taste: Smoky, spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹165 (IDR 30,000)

13. Bebek Betutu(Slow-Cooked Duck)

Bebek Betutu is a famous Bali food made from slow-cooked duck stuffed with a mix of spices including turmeric, ginger, garlic, shallots, and chilli peppers, and wrapped in banana leaves.

It is slow-cooked for several hours until the meat is tender and infused with the rich flavours of the spices. Bebek Betutu is usually served with steamed rice, vegetable dishes such as lawar, and a spicy sambal sauce.

• Key Ingredients: Duck, shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger, banana leaf
• Taste: Complex, spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹536 (IDR 100,000)

Suggested Read: Sarong Restaurant: Where Culinary Meets Balinese Flavours

14. Bebek Goreng(Roasted Duck)

For those skipping pork, Bebek Goreng is a famous food in Bali. The seasoned duck is deep-fried until the skin turns golden and crunchy.

Unlike its slow-cooked cousin, Bebek Betutu, this is everyday warung food; no banana leaves, no waiting around. Just straightforward fried duck with crispy skin and juicy meat underneath.

• Key Ingredients: Duck, Sambal
• Taste: Crispy, savory, and spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹165 (IDR 30,000)

15. Bakso(Meatballs)

Bakso isn't native to Bali, but locals have adopted these meatballs in such a way that they've become part of the best food in Bali lineup. Pre-cooked meat or fish balls get dunked in boiling water, then served over yellow noodles with veggies, boiled eggs, and tofu. Simple yet filling.

• Key Ingredients: Beef, Meat, or Fish
• Taste: Savory, comforting
• Cost: Starts from ₹55 (IDR 10,000)

16. Sate Lilit(Minced Satay)

Sate Lilit is Bali’s famous food made from minced meat (usually chicken or fish) mixed with grated coconut, spices, and herbs. The mixture is then wrapped around a lemongrass or bamboo skewer and grilled over an open flame until cooked.

The dish is known for its fragrant and slightly spicy flavour, and it is often served with a side of steamed rice and a spicy peanut sauce.

• Key Ingredients: Minced meat (often fish, chicken, or pork)
• Taste: Savory, aromatic
• Cost: Starts from ₹80 (IDR 15,000)

17. Sambal Matah(Raw Sambal)

Sambal Matah might be the most addictive famous food in Bali. Raw shallots, lemongrass, garlic, and chili get finely chopped, then tossed with hot oil, lime, salt, sugar, and a hint of shrimp paste.

It's crunchy, fragrant, and added to most of the dishes to enhance flavor.

• Key Ingredients: Shallots, coconut oil, chillies, and lime juice
• Taste: Spicy, Zesty
• Cost: Starts from ₹55 (IDR 10,000)

18. Terong Balado(Spicy Eggplant)

Balado is a fiery red chili sauce from Padang in West Sumatra, now a common ingredient across Indonesian kitchens. It stir-fries beautifully with prawns, squid, eggs, potatoes, or eggplant, whatever you've got.

The sauce blends red chilies with palm sugar, tamarind, shallots, garlic, and salt for that sweet-spicy-tangy punch. Terong balado (eggplant version) is particularly popular.

• Key Ingredients: Eggplant, red chillies, shallots
• Taste: Spicy, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹26 (IDR 5,000)

Suggested Read: Sardine Restaurant: Luxury Seafood Dining Experience In ...

19. Ayam Betutu(Spiced Chicken)

Ayam Betutu is the best food in Bali. This is a traditional Balinese dish where chicken is stuffed with turmeric, ginger, shallots, garlic, chilli peppers, and shrimp paste, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for hours, until the meat is tender and infused with the rich flavours of the spices.

The dish is often served with steamed rice, vegetable dishes such as Lawar, and a spicy Sambal sauce.

• Key Ingredients: Whole chicken, turmeric, ginger, shallots, garlic, chilli peppers, and shrimp paste
• Taste: Spicy, aromatic
• Cost: Starts from ₹215 (IDR 40,000)

20. Lawar(Spiced Meat & Vegetable Mix)

Lawar is also one of the popular foods in Bali Indonesia, which includes a mixture of chopped vegetables and spices, grated coconut, chilli peppers, shallots, and turmeric. The mixture can also include minced meat, such as chicken or pork.

The ingredients are typically ground together using a traditional stone mortar and pestle to create a flavorful paste. Lawar can be served raw, known as Lawar Putih, or cooked, in which case it is known as Lawar Merah. The dish is often served with steamed rice and other Balinese food such as Babi Guling or Ayam Betutu.

• Key Ingredients: Chicken or pork, grated coconut, chopped veggies
• Taste: Rich, complex, and spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹80 (IDR 15,000)

21. Ayam Bakar(Charcoal-Grilled Chicken)

Ayam bakar is chicken done right. Slow-cooked first in garlic, shallots, turmeric, lemongrass, coconut milk, and sweet soy sauce until tender, then thrown on charcoal to burn the outside.

You get smoky, caramelized skin with juicy meat underneath that's soaked up all those spices. Sweet, savory, and addictive!

• Key Ingredients: Chicken, turmeric, coconut milk
• Taste: Sweet, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹80 (IDR 15,000)

22. Sate Campur( Assorted Grilled Skewers)

Sate Campur is the best food in Bali, with grilled meat skewers, including chicken, pork, beef, and sometimes seafood. The skewers are marinated in a flavorful mixture of spices and herbs, which can include turmeric, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and chilli peppers.

Sate Campur is often served with a side of steamed rice and a spicy peanut sauce, as well as other Balinese food such as Lawar or Krupuk. The dish is common in Balinese cuisine and can be found in many local warungs and restaurants throughout the island.

• Key Ingredients: Chicken or pork, turmeric, garlic, ginger, lemongrass
• Taste: Savory, spicy
• Cost: Starts from ₹135 (IDR 25,000)

Delicious Desserts

Bali has a wide variety of traditional desserts that locals and visitors love. These experiences are a delight to your soul, with the restaurants offering delicious food and desserts. Some famous Balinese desserts include:

23. Bubur Injin(Sweet Black Rice Porridge)

Bubur Injin is a popular dessert in Bali that is made from black rice cooked in coconut milk and sweetened with palm sugar. The dessert is often served warm, and its rich, creamy texture and sweet flavour make it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

Bubur Injin is typically served in small bowls and garnished with fresh coconut shreds and sometimes sliced bananas. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to experience the sweet and delicious flavours of Balinese food.

• Key Ingredients: Black glutinous rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar
• Taste: Sweet, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹80 (IDR 15,000)

24. Klepon(Sweet Rice Cakes)

Klepon is a traditional Balinese dessert that is made from glutinous rice flour filled with palm sugar and coated in grated coconut. The dough is infused with pandan leaf juice, which gives it a green colour and a subtle aroma.

After the balls are formed, they are boiled until they are cooked through, and the palm sugar filling melts, creating a sweet and sticky center. The boiled balls are then coated in grated coconut before being served.

Klepon is a popular snack in Bali, and it’s often found in local markets and street vendors.

• Key Ingredients: Rice flour, palm sugar, grated coconut
• Taste: Sweet, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹19 (IDR 3,500)

25. Laklak(Pandan Rice Cakes)

Laklak is a traditional Balinese dessert that consists of small, round cakes made from rice flour and coconut milk, coloured with a natural red or green dye made from pandan leaves or red rice.

The cakes are typically served with grated coconut and palm sugar syrup. They are soft, spongy, and slightly sweet, with a subtle coconut flavour.

Laklak is a street food in Bali, commonly found in local markets and street vendors in Bali, and it’s often served as a breakfast or snack food.

• Key Ingredients: Rice flour, coconut milk, suji or pandan leaves
• Taste: Sweet, creamy
• Cost: Starts from ₹27 (IDR 5,000)

26. Dadar Gulung(Green Pancake Rolls)

Dadar Gulung is a famous Balinese dessert that consists of thin, green crepes filled with grated coconut and palm sugar. The crepes are made from rice flour, pandan juice, and coconut milk, giving them their distinctive green colour and subtle flavour.

Dadar Gulung is often served as a snack or dessert. Its unique texture and sweet, nutty flavour make it a must-try for anyone looking to experience the delicious flavors of Balinese cuisine.

• Key Ingredients: Pandan leaf extract, shredded coconut, and palm sugar
• Taste: Sweet, floral
• Cost: Starts from ₹27 (IDR 5,000)

27. Pisang Rai(Banana Rice Dumplings)

Pisang Rai is a popular Balinese dessert made from sweet, ripe bananas that are wrapped in sticky rice and grated coconut before being steamed. The rice is flavored with coconut milk, which gives it a sweet, nutty flavor and a soft, sticky texture.

The banana becomes soft and tender during the steaming process, and the grated coconut adds a subtle crunch to the dish.

• Key Ingredients: Banna, rice flour batter, grated coconut, and palm sugar
• Taste: Sweet, savory
• Cost: Starts from ₹55 (IDR 10,000)

28. Jaja Batun Bedil(Sweet Rice Balls)

Jaja Batun Bedil is a traditional Balinese snack that is made from glutinous rice flour and grated coconut. The dough with rice flour is formed into small balls, which are then flattened and shaped like bullets, hence the name “batun bedil,” which means “bullet stones” in the Balinese language.

The balls are then boiled in water until they float to the surface, indicating that they are cooked. Once cooked, they are removed from the water and rolled in grated coconut.

• Key Ingredients: Rice flour, palm sugar, coconut milk
• Taste: Sweet, chewy
• Cost: Starts from ₹80 (IDR 15,000 )

Popular Beverages

No meal in Bali is complete without the right drink. From the world's most unusual coffee to refreshing beers that have become tourist icons, Bali's beverage scene is just as interesting as its food.

29. Kopi Luwak(Civet Coffee)

Don’t forget to try Kopi Luwak, where civets (small cat-like animals) eat ripe coffee cherries, digest the fruit, and excrete the beans. Farmers collect these pooped-out beans, clean and roast them!

The civet's digestive enzymes break down proteins during this process, which reduces bitterness and creates a smooth, mellow flavor with earthy notes, caramel hints, and chocolate undertones.

For visitors to Bali, it's mostly about trying something bizarre and having a wild story to share about the coffee literally made from animal droppings.

• Key Ingredients: Fermented coffee beans extracted from Civet poop
• Taste: Smooth, earthy
• Cost: Starts from ₹375 (IDR 70,000)

30. Bintang Beer(Indonesia Beer)

Bintang is Indonesia's go-to beer! It is light, cheap, and perfect for Bali's heat. It tastes especially good after a beach day or surf session. Tourists love it so much that Bintang T-shirts became unofficial souvenirs.

Beyond the classic lager(bottom-fermented beer), they make fruit-flavored Radlers and recently launched an arak-honey-orange brew exclusively for Bali.

• Key Ingredients: Water, barley malt, hops, and sucrose
• Taste: Light, refreshing
• Cost: Starts from ₹100 (IDR 20,000)

What To Eat In Bali?

Foods in Bali are diverse, flavorful, and surprisingly affordable. From smoky grilled meats to fresh vegetable salads, every dish uses bold spices and local ingredients. Whether you try ceremonial dishes like Babi Guling or everyday favorites like Nasi Goreng, you'll taste authentic Balinese cooking.

The best part? You don't need expensive restaurants. Street vendors and warungs serve delicious meals for just a few rupees. Vegetarians have plenty of options, and meat lovers will find new favorites. Don't skip the desserts or unusual drinks like Kopi Luwak. Come hungry and explore!