Find out exclusive offers
in our official website
The cuisine in Bali is just another of the many reasons why so many travellers wish to visit this magical island. Either staying and dining at The Garden Restaurant at Hanging Gardens of Bali, with such rich diversity in the foods available, it can be hard to know where to start when ordering from any Balinese menu! We’ve put together the top ten Balinese foods to interest you – these are must-try dishes if you’re visiting the island.
Nasi ayam and nasi campur
Nasi ayam and nasi campur is a great place to start when you’re exploring Balinese cuisine. The dish consists mainly of white rice, with a selection of meats and some hot sambal matah if you’re feeling adventurous on your holiday!
Nasi goreng
This exquisite dish, which consists of stir-fried rice, spices and occasional meat and vegetables, was voted the second most delicious dish in the entire world in 2011. That surely makes it a contender for the tastiest Balinese meal you’ll enjoy.
Bubur sumsum
This sweet treat is often enjoyed as a dessert, but it can double up as a mouth-watering breakfast meal or an afternoon snack. It contains a mixture of white and black rice, with coconut milk, palm sugar, randan leaves and cream.
Babi guling
If you love pork, you’ll love this dish. Babi guling consists of a pig which has been spit-roasted and smothered in spices. The meat is served while it’s tender and juicy in specialist restaurants able to create the authentic spit-roast effect.
Betutu
If you don’t eat pork (perhaps for religious reasons) betutu offers an alternative. This dish includes a whole chicken or duck, covered in traditional spices and wrapped in banana leaves. It’s then baked for 6 or 7 hours for an incredibly, succulent, slow-cooked feast.
Lawar
Up for something adventurous? In some parts of Bali, lawar is prepared with chopped meat, vegetables, spices, grated coconut and… fresh blood! If you like the sound of everything but the blood, you can opt for a ‘white lawar’, which is without the animal products.
Martabak
This dish is basically a thick pancake with a tasty filling, such as chocolate or banana – a little like the crepes you might find in Europe. There’s also a savoury version which includes duck egg, onion and beef.
Gado-gado
This vegetable salad is covered in a tasty peanut sauce, and can be found in restaurants and at many of the street stalls around Bali.
Satay
It’s likely you’ve enjoyed satay meats before, but tasting the authentic satays in Bali is totally different. You can enjoy satay chicken, beef, pork and fish – as well as goat, and even turtle!
Be siap sambal matah
This dish is totally unique to Bali – you won’t find it anywhere else in the world. It involves shredded chicken, shallots, lemongrass, chillies, salt, lime leaves, coconut oil and shrimp paste.
And if you wish to enjoy a spectacular dinner at our Garden Restaurant, with its astonishing position overlooking the Dalem Segara temple and the World’s Best Swimming Pool, our chefs offer a menu of International specialties, creatively combining traditional dishes with contemporary culinary techniques.
Located in the cultural heart of the island of the Gods, the Hanging Gardens of Bali is the quintessential luxury villa in Bali that offers unrivaled accommodation, swimming pool, dining and hospitality experience.
