Street Foods That Every Traveller to Bali Must Try – Treat Your Tastebuds with These Balinese Classics

Bali's street food culture reflects the island's rich culinary history. Balinese cuisine is known for its bold flavours, vibrant spices, and creative use of ingredients. However, the street food scene in Bali goes beyond traditional Balinese dishes. The island's openness to cultural influences has resulted in a fusion of flavours from various cuisines. But at the heart of Bali's street food culture lies the traditional Balinese cuisine. Balinese people take immense pride in their food heritage, and you'll find several authentic dishes being served on the streets as well as in places like Nirjhara, which is a nature resort in Bali.

Babi Guling, also known as suckling pig, is a famous Balinese dish that should be on every traveller’s list. This dish features a whole pig roasted to perfection, resulting in tender and flavourful meat. The pig is stuffed with a mixture of spices, including turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, and shrimp paste, and they give it a rich and aromatic taste. Babi Guling is typically served with rice, crispy skin, and a side of vegetables.

Nasi Goreng, meaning fried rice, is a staple dish in Indonesian cuisine and popular street food in Bali. It is a delicious combination of fried rice, mixed vegetables, and your choice of protein; it can be chicken, shrimp, or tofu. The dish is flavoured with sweet soy sauce and spices, which gives it a savoury and slightly sweet taste. Nasi Goreng is often served with a fried egg on top and accompanied by shrimp crackers.

This is a unique Balinese version of satay that will tantalise your taste buds. Instead of using skewers, Sate Lilit is made by wrapping seasoned minced meat around lemongrass sticks or bamboo skewers. The meat can be chicken, pork, or fish, and it is marinated in a mixture of spices, like garlic, shallots, turmeric, and coconut milk. The skewers are grilled over charcoal, which results in a juicy and fragrant satay that is often served with peanut sauce.

A popular Indonesian salad, Gado-Gado is widely enjoyed as a street food in Bali. It is a refreshing and nutritious dish made with a medley of blanched vegetables, like cabbage, bean sprouts, spinach, and boiled potatoes, topped with a peanut sauce dressing. Gado-Gado can also include tofu and hard-boiled eggs. The combination of crunchy vegetables and creamy peanut sauce creates a delightful explosion of textures and flavours.

Also known as fried bananas, Pisang Goreng is a beloved street snack in Bali. Ripe bananas are coated in a batter made from flour, rice flour, and spices, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a sweet and indulgent treat with an inside that soft and indulgent. This is often enjoyed as a snack or dessert, and it pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.