How to eat like a local in Bali – Where every palate is pampered!
Aromas of fresh ingredients, pungent spices and creative presentations all but sum up the food culture on the ‘Island of the Gods’ which is Bali, Indonesia. Whether your tastebuds yearn for layers of sweetness or you wish to sink your teeth into fiery curries and thick gravies, Bali sure does offer an assortment of cuisine to try out. Penned down below is a gist of what you need to be focussing your foodie senses on.
Nasi Goreng
Considered a staple in these parts, the flavourful spread titled Nasi Goreng is a dish that one must sample long before one’s journeys draw to a close. Characterised by a fried egg that is placed on top of the serving, Nasi Goreng in actuality, is quite the straightforward fried rice that is finished off with a garnishing of fresh veggies and at times, some chicken to truly elevate mealtimes into unforgettable experiences.
Satdeep Gill, Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) at Bungalow Bar & Kitchen, Dehradun, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mie Goreng
While parallels can be drawn between Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng, what makes the latter stand out is the inclusion of noodles as opposed to the rice that you would associate with the former. In terms of popularity, Mie Goreng similar to Nasi Goreng can be found on the menus of all eateries and restaurants including those belonging to Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort which is among the luxury resorts Uluwatu Bali has to offer.
Nasi Campur
The word “campur” translates to “mixed” in English which is very much the crux of the speciality referred to by the name of Nasi Campur. Aside from the mixed steam rice which is what locals and foreign nationals are drawn towards, Nasi Campur comprises a good old dose of vegetables and chicken or if you’re not a huge fan of the latter, then you can opt for either tempeh or fish. To cap it all off, diners will be able to savour Nasi Campur alongside a spicy sambal oozing in texture and zest. However, what differentiates this treat from other local delights is how it is presented and sent out to tables in the form of a woven wooden basket.
Rendang
Undoubtedly, one of the all-time favourites in Indonesian fare, the spice smeared Beef Rendang packs one almighty punch from both a taste and presentation point of view. As one of the most delicious dishes in all of Indonesia, Rendang is traditionally prepared with the use of tender beef coupled with an assortment of herbs, spices and fresh ingredients that will surely leave a lasting impression on your palate. Also, Rendang is usually paired with a bowl of steamed rice.
Martabak
A sought-after street food variant, Martabak can be enjoyed both as a savoury or sweet which will inform you that a certain degree of creativity is involved in its making. First up is Martabak Telur which is a fried flatbread stuffed with a choice of meat, egg and vegetables, and if you want to excite the sweet tooth in you, then nothing ought to stop you from reaching out to the nearest street food stall or night market in order to get your hands on some Martabak Manis. With Martabak Manis, you will find yourself giving into your guilty pleasures comprising generous portions of crushed peanuts, chocolate sprinkles, condensed milk and a selection of other toppings to go with the savoury bread.
Sate
No trip to Bali will ever be complete without trying out a sate or two which is the island’s most cherished type of food that will have you licking your lips in seconds. The sate is skewered meat which is generally chicken and is grilled to perfection. Once the meat is ready to be consumed, hawker fare stall owners will smear same with a tasty peanut sauce which truly is one of its highlights.
Babi Guling
Pork lovers too are not forgotten for Bali provides the luxury of tucking into Babi Guling which is roasted pork. Packed to the rafters with spices and several seasonings, Babi Guling is a melt-in-your-mouth type of cuisine that is an absolute must during your time in beautiful Bali.
