6 Traditional Balinese Dishes to Try – Treat Your Taste Buds!

Satay – or sate as it's called in Indonesian – is one of the most famous traditional foods found in the region. The dish itself is a collection of grilled chicken, pork and mutton slices that are skewered on sticks. Now, the condiments that are paired with the meat differs according to the region. Here in Bali, you'll be treated to satay that's marinated in coconut milk and is lathered in some island spices. Satay makes for great street food, so you should keep an eye out for vendors as you explore Bali's streets. You can even tweak your satay to your liking by adding a variety of sweet, sour or spicy sauces.

Babi Guling is a roasted pork dish that's considered to be a delicacy by the Balinese people. The pork in this dish is supposed to be rolled over the fire as a whole – as such, this dish has always been seen as a communal one. It's often served during festivals, celebrations and other special occasions. Nowadays, you can enjoy this dish at a number of Bali family resorts – say, for example, the Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali.

It is said that Betutu was once the favourite meal of the King of Bali. Now, if that was indeed the case, it's not hard to understand why. Here, the heart of the dish is either a whole chicken or duck which has been stuffed with a collection of spices and herbs – these range from chilli varieties to peanuts and shallots. All in all, the dish will take around 8 hours to fully prepare. Now that may seem like a lot of effort to go through, but what you get at the end makes it all worth it.

Lawar is a hearty dish that's made up of chopped meat and various green vegetables. For added flavour, a helping of grated coconut is sprinkled on top. The choice of meat in this dish can vary from poultry to red meats like beef or pork. The dish is called red Lawar when it contains the blood of the animal. On the other hand, white Lawar often uses a meat substitute like jackfruit.

Bubur Mengguh is the Balinese take on the classic porridge. This savoury dish is one of the most commonly served items at festivals and ceremonies. The porridge itself is a liquid-like mixture of spices, poultry and celery. The dish itself is often presented alongside a vegetable salad or coconut dressing.

If you ask one of the locals what their favourite dish is, chances are they'll mention nasi jingo. Indeed, this seemingly small Balinese dish – one portion can fit in the palm of your hand – play a big part in the everyday lives of the local populace. Essentially, it is a mix of rice, vegetables and some side dishes that are all wrapped and packed tight in a banana leaf – the perfect meal to have on the go.