CUISINE
BALI ISLAND — ISLAND OF THE GODS
Rice (Indonesian: nasi) is consumed 2-3 times a day by Indonesians. In areas with poor soil and low rainfall, locals grow cassava. In the highlands of West Papua, sweet potatoes are preferred, while in the Maluku Islands, sago is common. Noodles, borrowed from China, are also very popular but complement rather than replace rice. As expected from an island nation, Indonesia boasts excellent seafood. The main types of meat in this predominantly Muslim country include chicken, goat, and beef. In areas with other religious majorities, you may find venison and pork. In some regions, locals also eat dogs, rats, and flying foxes. Indonesia is a paradise for vegetarians. Eggplants, water spinach, beans, peppers, various types of cabbage, eastern lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and pumpkin are available at almost any market. A popular vegetable dish is cap cay (Indonesian: cap cay), which consists of lightly steamed vegetables. Of course, we cannot overlook the abundance of fruits in Indonesia, such as bananas, papayas, coconuts, pineapples, watermelons, citrus fruits, guava, avocado, passion fruit, mango, mangosteen, durian, breadfruit, and more. The key ingredient in all Indonesian dishes is spices. They are ground and blended together, then fried in plenty of vegetable oil to create a paste used in many dishes. Most spice mixes share a common base, including chili, shrimp paste (Indonesian: terasi), ginger, onion, garlic, lime leaves, lemongrass, pandan leaves, lime juice, cinnamon, and turmeric. Another essential ingredient is palm sugar (Indonesian: gula merah). Some regions also use cloves and nutmeg. Cooking methods are straightforward, involving grilling, frying, or stewing (often in coconut milk). Dishes are typically accompanied by sauces such as thick and sweet soy sauce (Indonesian: kecap manis) and salty soy sauce (Indonesian: kecap asin), as well as sambal, a spicy chili sauce. Light dishes and snacks are particularly popular among both locals and tourists, including fried rice (Indonesian: nasi goreng), fried noodles (Indonesian: mie goreng), and gado-gado salad (steamed vegetables with peanut sauce). In different regions of Indonesia, the preparation of dishes varies not only in the amount of ingredients used but also in flavor preferences. For example, Balinese dishes tend to be sweet and less spicy in taste. Additionally, Chinese cuisine is widely available throughout Indonesia. In large cities and resorts, you can also find many restaurants serving European and Asian cuisine. Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Pizza Hut are also prevalent. As for alcoholic beverages, you’ll likely be offered beer such as Bintang and Anker since alcohol consumption is not heavily promoted in Indonesia. Among local drinks, palm wine (tuak or balok), rice wine (arak or brem), and distilled palm wine (sopi) are notable. Imported alcoholic beverages are sold in major tourist areas. Indonesian coffee is renowned as one of the best in the world, and Indonesians themselves enjoy drinking tea or coffee. Ground coffee is simply poured into a cup, topped with boiling water, and then sugar and sometimes milk are added.
The most popular resort on the island is Kuta Beach, stretching 6 km along the ocean. This resort is renowned for its numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. Those seeking peace and tranquility prefer Sanur, Candidasa, or the black sands of Lovina. Quieter yet more upscale experiences can be found along the coasts of Jimbaran and Nusa Dua. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts favor the western part of the island — Bali National Park — or its eastern part in Amed. Surfing enthusiasts are best suited to stay around Uluwatu or on Nusa Lembongan Island. Despite the preference for beach vacations, an increasing number of tourists are drawn to Ubud — the cultural center of the island. Bali’s capital is Denpasar, while the ancient capitals of Klungkung and the northern city of Singaraja attract visitors with their museums, temples, and traditional markets. No matter which resort area tourists choose, they have access to all the island’s attractions: ancient temples, lush parks with exotic animals and birds, sacred volcanoes, and picturesque lakes. Balinese life revolves around ceremonies that celebrate gods and ancestors, so nearly every tourist becomes witness to at least one such ceremony — whether it’s a temple anniversary, a cremation, a wedding, or simply a full moon festival. A wonderful vacation and a wealth of experiences are guaranteed on Bali.
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