Joanna James
Being adventurous has now extended to the culinary world when it comes to travelling. If you happen to be in Uluwatu, Indonesia, here are five dishes that you have to try.
Satay is a culinary signature in Southeast Asia, and you will find different types of Satay in all Uluwatu restaurants. The satay that you find here, though, is nothing like the ones you find in other countries. There are many varieties, two of the more popular ones being sate ayam - chicken satay - and sate kambing - goat satay. The distinct flavour in Indonesian satay is expected to come from the cooking method. The skewers are placed on a charcoal grill, which cooks it fast but leaves a nice burnt crust with a smoky flavour.
While you may wonder what is so great or new about grilled chicken, the grilled chicken in Indonesia, called ayam bakar taliwang, is not like any other. For starters, the chicken is quite small as they are usually spring chickens. It is not impossible for one person to finish off three of these in one sitting. The chicken comes from Lombok, an island off the coast of the mainland. The dish is quite spicy and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. When cooked right, there is a good texture to the meat while being juicy and flavourful. It is not a dish to miss.
Locally known as sop kaki kambing, this is somewhat an adventurous dish. It can be found at higher-end hotels like Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort as well as in street food stalls, which makes it an interesting addition to this list. The preparation of the soup involves the consumer from the start. You have a choice as to what part of the goat you want in the soup. It is then added to a bowl and mixed with a creamy and aromatic soup. Some of the favourite meat cuts to try in the soup are the brain, feet, and eye sockets.
A favourite street food item by far bakso is loved by the young and the old alike. The two main types of bakso available are Chinese bakso and Indonesian bakso. They both mix tapioca starch with minced meat and moulded into balls. These meatballs are served with soupy noodles. There are different noodles varieties from thin rice noodles to yellow egg noodles. While the dish itself is not spicy, you can ask for chili flakes to be added for an extra kick.
Padang rice curry or nasi padang is one of the better-known dishes in the region. It is a dish that originated in Sumatra but is now spread all over. The unique flavour of nasi padang comes from the curry paste, which is a mix of garlic, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, turmeric, and other herbs. The coconut milk adds a creamy richness to the dish, while the other curries carry spices to balance out the flavours.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
