Asian Travel Blog

It is said that it is worth visiting Bali simply in order to enjoy the food, and when you’ve tasted the lovely cuisine on offer, it isn’t hard to see why. As in much of Asia, the staple foodstuff is rice, and this comes steamed, boiled and fried. There are loads of accompaniments to go with rice, such as chillis, shallots, garlic, and ginger. Fiery sambal sauces, along with plain rice, form an intergral part of most meals. The steamed rice goes particularly well with the thick stews and rich curries that this part of the world is famous for.

If you want to try several dishes in one meal, try nasi campur or nasi rames, as both of these consist of several small meat and vegetable portions around a scoop of rice. Another way of getting to try a wide variety of Balinese food is to go for what is known as rijsttafel, which means literally “rice table”, which is a full spread of dishes – a bit like a smorgasbord - popularized by the Dutch and still found at many restaurants.

Nasi goreng appears on many menus, and is fried rice with shallots, chillies, soy sauce, and other ingredients such as meat, fish and egg. This popular dish has made its way around the world, and I once came across it in a Swedish restaurant.

You will not find alcohol in any Muslim restaurant, but you will find it otherwise readily available throughout Bali. A particular drink to look out for is the potent rice spirit known as arak, but if less strong drinks are more to your taste, then how about very nice Bali Hai beer?

All in all, there is always something new and different to try if you go to Bali.