Bali is not only known for its temples, rice terraces, and its beaches, it is also the best destination for food lovers. The island’s cuisines are aromatic, vibrant, and traditional. Babi Guling and Sate Lilit are two must-try Balinese dishes. When you taste those Balinese meals, you’re not just tasting a cuisine; you’re experiencing centuries of Balinese tradition.
If you win a chance to visit Bali, try to taste Babi Guling Bali first. Babi Guling Bali is a classical roast suckling pig that is juicy and has crisp skin. Next, try Sate Lilit Bali, which consists of fragrant minced fish skewers wrapped in lemongrass. These traditional Balinese dishes reflect local flavors, textures, and ceremonial significance. Additionally, both dishes show how Balinese rice culture and spices influence the island’s flourishing culinary scene.
In this article, we will take you on a journey through Balinese cuisines, from Babi Guling to Sate Lilit. In addition, you can read some useful travel tips to plan your next trip without flaws.
How Does Balinese Food Taste Unique?
First of all, Balinese food is incredibly flavorful. Fresh spices like turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, garlic, and chili are essential to it. By grinding them together, locals make bumbu, which are distinctive spice pastes. They then marinate meats or vegetables using these pastes. Bali also has a rich rice culture. Almost every plate has steamed rice on it.
Additionally, young coconut, palm sugar, shrimp paste, and kaffir lime are a part of Balinese cooking. Each of these components is in balance with the others. To put it briefly, each bite feels in harmony. At the same time, you can taste umami, tang, heat, and sweetness. Many Balinese foods also have spiritual significance. For instance, they offer bananas, rice, and coconut leaves to the gods. These themes appear in everyday meals and temple ceremonies across the island.
Now, it’s time to take a closer look at two must-try signature Balinese dishes.
1. Babi Guling – Bali’s Roast Suckling Pig
“Spit-roasted pig” is the literal translation of Babi Guling. It is an iconic dish of the island. It was first prepared during ceremonies by wealthy villagers. Everyone likes it today.
What Makes Babi Guling Unique?
- Marination: A spice mixture, called bumbu, consisting of turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and other ingredients, is applied to a whole pig.
- Stuffing: Occasionally the pig flesh will be stuffed with some herbs and banana leaves.
- Roasting Method: Later, the meat will be slowly roasted on a spit over coals. The fat evenly soaks the meat as it rotates. Flavorful, tender meat and crisp, crackling skin are what comes out. You can taste smokiness, sweet fat, and savory spices.
- Texture and flavor: The fusion of tender, flavorful meat with crisp and crackling skin together makes it taste smoky, sweet, fatty, and savory.
Where to Try It
- Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (Ubud) is one of the best Balinese restaurants, where the specialty is Babi Guling. Both locals and tourists prefer it.
- Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen also owns higher ratings for serving authentic pork dishes, including Babi Guling.
- Warung Babi Guling Bu Dayu is one of the most popular Balinese food spots for its fresh and delicious Balinese pork dishes.
Try to reach there early every time. As they are very popular, they sell out faster. To sample the meat with rice and sides like lawar (salad with coconut and minced meat) and sayur urap (spicy vegetables), you should also order “nasi campur.”
2. Sate Lilit – Balinese Fish Skewers
Sate Lilit comes next. It is a Balinese cuisine, which is just as special as Babi Guling. However, it tastes entirely different.
The Art of Sate Lilit
- Main ingredient: Minced fish, such as tuna, cob, or skipjack, is the main ingredient of Sate Lilit.
- Taste profile: It has a sweet as well as spicy taste, which is balanced with the flavors of lemongrass and spices. Also, it has a rich texture, a smoky undertone, and distinct taste because of the addition of grated coconut to the grilled fish.
- Shape and Grilling: The mixture, in contrast to typical cubes, wraps around a skewer like lemongrass stalks or bamboo. Then, directly grill them.
- Binding: Binding makes Sate Lilit more tasty. To be clear, it is prepared by binding grated coconut, coconut milk, lime zest, spices, and minced fish.
Where to Find It
- Go for local Balinese jungle cafés or food spots near temples.
- There are many five-star restaurants that present it as a starter, especially during sunset dinners.
- Some roadside warungs also offer real Sate Lilit.
Balinese Culinary Journey: How to Plan It
Let’s craft a simple Balinese meal itinerary:
1. Begin in Ubud: In the morning, go to the Babi Guling food stalls.
2. Afternoon: It is ideal to indulge in cooking classes. So, you can learn to make spice paste (bumbu) and lawar by yourself.
3. Evening: It is better to visit coastal areas like Sanur, Jimbaran, or Seminyak in the evening. Having Sate Lilit with a sunset view will add more beauty to your Bali trip.
4. Relaxation tip: Once you finish Balinese culinary tour, you can rejuvenate yourself using traditional Balinese herbs through a spa treatment.
Smart tour planning can help you travel with greater convenience. We have already posted several travel tips on our website to help you stay organized, comfortable, and connected. Read our Travel Essentials for 2025: Gear That Makes Every Trip Easier. Also, you will appreciate our 8 Must-Have Travel Essentials Every Gen-Z Girl Needs in 2025.
Practical Tips to Plan Your Bali Trip
- Arrive early: Most restaurants open in the middle of the morning and may sell out by noon, especially for Babi Guling.
- Learn to Bargain: Bargaining for affordable prices can help you save some penny. However, always remember to be polite as it is not your native place or country.
- Try Varieties: Try the traditional cakes like Jaja Bali, the duck satay named Sangut, or the Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck wrapped in banana leaves).
- Prefer Sanitary Restaurants: Be careful to choose hygienic restaurants or food stalls. Avoid unsanitary outdoor stalls.
- Flight savings hack: If you’re flying to or within Indonesia, here’s a handy tip to book cheaper flights without using incognito mode: How to Book Cheaper Flights Without Using Incognito Mode.
Conclusion
Balinese dishes are more than just satisfying hunger, it is a living expression of Balinese tradition and cultural significance. All dishes available on this island are a celebration of balance. Every dish fuses sweetness, spice, and savory in a way that feels harmonious. From Babi Guling to Sate Lilit, each Balinese dish tells a story of the island. Tasting these Balinese flavors is one of the must-do things in Bali.
Whether you kick-start your trip from Ubud or end it with a sunset dinner by the beach, you can taste the soul of Bali during your Balinese culinary journey. In the end, Bali will not only satisfy your taste buds but also your mind and soul with lasting memories.
