Traditional Balinese Dishes
Selamat Makan!
The Balinese cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world, offering a rich tapestry of flavours, colours, and traditions. The island is not just a surfer's paradise; it's a haven for food enthusiasts. If you're planning a trip to Bali soon and are curious about the culinary wonders awaiting you, this blog is a must-read. Join us as we dive into a day of typical Balinese culinary etiquette and delights!
Balinese Dining Etiquette & Community Spirit
For the Balinese people, dining is not just a routine; it's a celebration of life, a communal activity that bonds and connects friends and family. The traditional Balinese dining setup often involves sharing dishes, fostering a sense of togetherness. When in Bali, it's common to see several dishes placed at the centre of the table, ensuring everyone can enjoy the feast.
Balinese people value hospitality and warmth, often welcoming guests with a generous spread of food. Did you know that meals are typically enjoyed with the right hand? This is a common practice in Indonesian culture, and a spoon is used to eat the more soupy dishes.
Sarapan: Breakfast Time
Nasi Goreng
'Rice' and shine with Nasi Goreng, Bali's answer to an early morning! Picture a plate of fried rice stirred with sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, tamarind, a blend of spices, and usually accompanied by a fried egg. It's the Indonesian kickstart to your day! Don't forget to sip on a refreshing glass of “Es Teh Manis”, sweet iced tea, and add some fruit. Try the famous Nasi Goreng during your mornings at Kima while enjoying our delicious 3-course breakfast at the communal morning table. It creates the perfect start to your day!
Bubur Sumsum - Creamy Dreams from Java
As the morning unfolds, treat yourself to Bubur Sumsum, a creamy rice flour porridge. Originating in Java, it found its way into the hearts of Balinese locals. Bubur, meaning porridge, and Sumsum, meaning bone marrow, create a delicious blend. Most people combine it with sweet syrup or honey, some fruit, and rich and robust Bali Coffee.
Makan Siang: Lunch Break
Sate Lilit
Lunchtime arrives, a substantial meal in Balinese culture typically eaten between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. The smell of grilled delights fills the air on the streets and warungs. They are preparing a common lunch dish: Sate Lilit, minced seafood or fish satays wrapped around bamboo sticks. Accompanied by Urutan, a spicy Balinese pork sausage, and Lawar, a mix of chopped meat and coconut, this lunch becomes a shared and delicious experience.
Nasi Campur
This traditional cuisine is one of the favourites among locals and tourists visiting Bali. It’s a scoop of white rice accompanied by small portions of various dishes like meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and fried-shrimp krupuk. Ready to try a little bit of everything? Go for Nasi Campur!
Makanan Ringan: Afternoon Snacks
Locals enjoy snacks in the afternoon to keep them energised until dinner. What kind of popular snacks should you try?
Dadar Gulung
Enjoy Dadar Gulung, a delightful sweet snack. It’s a rolled green pancake filled with a sweet mixture of grated coconut and palm sugar. This snack not only delights the taste buds with its sweet and aromatic filling but also offers a visually appealing presentation. The green colour comes from the use of pandan leaves in the pancake batter. Dadar Gulung is often accompanied by Pisang Goreng, deep-fried banana fritters, enjoyed as a sweet treat during the day or as a dessert after meals.
Tempe Goreng & Tahu Isi
Perfect for vegetarians and everyone else, don't miss out on two absolute winners – Tempe Goreng and Tahu Isi. Tempe Goreng is thinly sliced tempe, fermented soybean, as a deep-fried crispy snack. Crunchy on the outside and a bit nutty and savoury on the inside.
Tahu Isi is tofu stuffed with a mix of veggies and spices, taking a crispy dip in hot oil. The result? A golden-brown, crunchy shell giving way to a lot of good flavours. These Balinese snacks aren't just for breaks; they're also perfect to combine with any other meal!
Makan Malam: Dinnertime
Time for the final main meal of the day; it is a time for socialising and quality time over dinner!
Babi Guling
One of the dishes on the table will probably be Babi Guling. This dish features a whole pig marinated with a rich blend of turmeric, ginger, garlic, shallots, and different spices. The cooking process happens over an open flame, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown skin and tender, juicy meat.
Served alongside Babi Guling are other traditional accompaniments, like Lawar, Plecing Kangkung (spicy water spinach salad), and rice. The combination of crispy pig and fresh, spicy salads creates a balanced and delightful meal.
Ayam Betutu
Another delicious dinner dish is Ayam Betutu. 'Betutu' is the Balinese term for using a whole chicken or duck marinated in turmeric, ginger, shallots, rich aromatic spices, and herbs, then slow-cooked. Traditionally, the marinated chicken or duck is wrapped in banana leaves, allowing it to absorb the flavours even more. This dish is usually accompanied by Sambal Matah, a spicy raw shallot and chilli relish, vegetables, and rice.
Soto Ayam
Craving something warm? Try Soto Ayam, which we also offer in our Kima menu! In this Balinese culinary delight, a steaming bowl with lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and ginger-infused broth, combined with tender chicken. Just like Ayam Betutu, the marination is crucial, transforming the chicken into a melt-in-your-mouth experience. It’s served with rice vermicelli, shredded chicken, bean sprouts, and hard-boiled eggs. Spice up the meal? Add some sambal!
Desserts: Happy Dance for the Sweet Tooth
Bubur Injin
First up, we have Bubur Injin. This dish takes a little longer to prepare, but the wait is worth it! Picture a bowl filled with the rich goodness of black rice porridge. This dessert is a journey into sweetness, with the flavour of black rice and the creaminess of coconut milk. This sweet sticky dessert is often topped with fresh fruit like strawberries, pomegranate, or jackfruit!
Pisang Goreng
Next is Pisang Goreng – deep-fried banana fritters. Perfectly ripe bananas are coated in a simple batter of flour, water, and salt, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. Imagine biting into that crispy layer to reveal the warm, soft banana inside. Best enjoyed hot and paired with vanilla ice cream, a sprinkle of fresh grated coconut, or chocolate.
Enjoy this dish at our camp’s menu before hitting the waves while having breakfast, or as a sweet dessert to end our day with. This classic never gets boring!
Taste Bali at Kima
At our surf camps in Canggu or Seminyak in Bali, we offer a wide range of dishes you can find in the Warungs, the local restaurants on the island. After a full day of surfing, it’s time to enjoy delicious Nasi or Mie Goreng, accompanied by chicken, fish, or tofu. Try the famous chicken cashew from our menu and round your day off with the sweet Pisang Goreng!
Did you know enjoying BBQs with family and friends is part of the Balinese tradition? We host a family BBQ every week as part of your stay, creating a warm and communal vibe for you to extend your culinary journey with our family BBQ!
Always wanted to know how to cook Balinese and Indonesian food yourself? Lucky you! We offer a Balinese cooking class where you will go on a culinary adventure. So, enjoying the flavours of Bali doesn’t have to be only connected to your holidays; just create the magic at home!
If you're heading to Kima in Bali, get ready for more than great surfing and social activities – our delicious food is another highlight! Our menus will also take you on a culinary Balinese experience.
Selamat makan!
