Traditional Cuisine of Bali

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 | food cuisine

Of the many delights Bali has to offer, the one that leaves an indelible mark on most visitors is the food. The island province offers tourists a plethora of dining options ranging from fancy fusion restaurants run by Michelin star chefs to humble road side stalls selling local delicacies. Populated mainly by ethnic Balinese people, Bali has always stood apart in terms of religion, culture and cuisine from the Javanese majority who are predominant in Indonesia.

Religion and food go hand in hand in Bali – most religious ceremonies that take place in one of the island’s 20,000 temples are often accompanied with the sweet smell of pork being grilled nearby. Due to being a mainly Hindu community in an overwhelmingly Muslim country, Balinese cuisine is unique to what is served in the rest of Indonesia. Pork reigns supreme in Bali, being the main ingredient in two of the island’s most famous native dishes, lawar and babi guling. Balinese cuisine also tends to be spicier and less sweet than Javanese cuisine and will typically be cooked with a wider selection of sauces. As with all food in Indonesia, all dishes in Bali are served with generous helpings of rice.

Visitors are always encouraged to venture forth from the confines of their hotel dining rooms to sample what the locals are eating at one of the many food stalls, or warungs, found all over Bali. Over the years through a constant influx of tourists many warungs in Bali have adapted to cater to foreign tastes while remaining true to their local roots. A typical meal at the neighbourhood warung may consist of grilled pork or chicken sate combined with fried vegetables and served with your choice of rice, fried tofu, tempeh (fermented soybean cake) or noodles. Most meals are also traditionally accompanied with spicy chili on the side as the main condiment. This type of meal can be had very cheaply, typically costing less than 4 Dollars.

Imagine living in a tropical paradise where such exotic delicacies are a mere stone’s throw away from your home by the beach. While visiting is always nice, why not consider owning your own beachfront property in Bali. It’s easier than ever and cheaper than you think!