Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It doesn’t matter if you are travelling through on a backpacking journey around the world, or if you are simply spending a few nights in a Bali villa, you will love your time on the beautiful island.

Food in south east Asia is incredible, and Bali is no exception. Most Balinese cuisine comes from old cultural recipes, and you should definitely try them! If you enjoy food, like trying new things in new countries, and like eating things somewhat out of the ordinary, make sure that you try the following Balinese dishes in 2018:

Babi Guling:

A very popular option which you will be able to find in many restaurants around the island, Babi Guling is a succulent mixture of meat and vegetables. Consisting of a small, spit-roast pig stuffed with a range of exotic vegetables and spices, and then slowly cooked over a fire, this dish is an absolute must try. The crispy skin is absolutely divine, and the explosion of flavours has to be tasted to be believed.

Bebek Betutu:

Translating to “slow cooked duck”, Bebek Betutu is a traditional Balinese food which you definitely should try during your visit. The duck is first cleaned with a mixture of salt and tamarind puree, which is then washed off – it is thought that doing this tenderises the meat and removes any strong flavours. It is then stuffed with eggs and cassava leaves, along with a special spice mix, and slow cooked for hours until the meat peels away from the bone.

Pisang Goreng:

Time for a sweet one. Pisang Goreng, or fried bananas, is a desert which will satisfy even the most outrageous sweet tooth. Consisting of a battered banana, deep fried and then smothered in honey or ice cream (or simply nothing), you can find Pisang Goreng almost anywhere – from top of the range restaurants to roadside stalls.

Sate:

Literally mashed, fried meat, Sate is one thing that you simply won’t be able to get enough of when you are in Bali. It is made by mashing the meat of choice (usually chicken or fish) with spices, and then molding it onto a stick – often lemongrass – and cooking over coals.

Nasi Goreng:

If you understand a little bit of Indonesian, you will realise that Nasi Goreng simply means fried rice. While this realisation might not give you a whole lot of motivation to eat it when you are in Bali, you would be stupid not to. The dishes you will find in Balinese eateries will be nothing like Western versions of fried rice. Cooked with a wonderful mixture of sauces, spices, vegetables, and sometimes meat or egg, Balinese Nasi Goreng is a little different every time you eat it. For many people, it becomes a staple of their diet when they are travelling in Indonesia.

Final Word:

As you can see, there are plenty of different Balinese dishes out there that you need to try when you visit the island paradise. Our list is by no means exhaustive, so get out there and let yourself go on a culinary adventure through Bali!