If you’re looking for great food in Bali that won’t break the bank, there’s only one place to find it – on the streets!
Our guide to the local street food will help you find the tastiest treats on the island!
Street Food To Watch Out For In Bali
Before you start buying street food in Bali, you need to know what food to look out for. So, here’s a whistlestop tour of the finest street food dishes in Bali:
Babi Guling – this is a whole suckling pig that is infused with herbs and then roasted. It’s usually served with sticky rice, some crackling and peanuts. It’s worth noting that as Indonesia is a Muslim country, not every market sells this treat but as Bali is Hindu, you can find it if you try.
Fish head soup – this is, perhaps, not for the squeamish but if you love the taste of fresh fish, this fish broth is going to blow you away. There is, of course, a rich culture of fish dishes from the street vendors here on the island and this should be served with a big helping of rice and some fried mackerel too.
Nasi Campur – this is a mixed rice dish and can contain everything from coconut milk to vegetables, grilled meat or shredded chicken and eggs. Every vendor has their own unique recipe for Nasi Campur. You may want to add some chilli sauce to this Balinese dish to give it a little extra kick.
Jaje Bali – the best desserts are the pastries and cakes called “Jaje Bali’ from the night market. Street food in Bali doesn’t get much better than this. They are made from rice flour and sticky rice and condensed milk or coconut milk and can be topped with freshly grated coconut and palm sugar. They are usually wrapped in a banana leaf for easy handling.
Nasi Jinggo – this is a popular dish that consists of a small portion of rice, some small portions of other foods and some sweet soy sauce. It appears to have risen to fame in North Bali during the Asian financial crisis when everyone was watching what they spent on food. We love Nasi Jinggo and we think you will too.
Terang Bulan – our favourite pancake in Bali, this is a mix of coconut and palm fats to create a pancake with a unique flavour profile. Then, it’s served with corn, sugar and peanuts and it’s oh so sweet and good.
Pisang Rai – if you want a traditional Balinese brekkie then you can’t go wrong with these coated bananas (they’re coated in flour and then boiled) sprinkled in coconut. They go really well with a local cup of coffee too.
Bakso – this Balinese meatball (often served in a soup) is one of the most popular snacks with the locals and you can find frozen variants in many of the local minimarts and supermarkets. The meatballs can be made from any meat including pork, chicken or shrimp, so if you have any food allergies, you will need to ask before you buy what’s in the Bakso.
Sate – we left our favourite for last. Sate or “satay” is it’s more commonly spelled in the West is, perhaps, Bali’s best-known dish. It can be made from goat, pork, beef, fish or chicken (and occasionally turtle for special occasions) and is served with peanut sauce or soy sauce.
Where To Eat Street Food In Bali
You can eat street food anywhere in Bali (except, perhaps at Ngurah Rai International Airport which doesn’t really have space for street vendors) but some of our favourite places include:
Warung Mak Beng in Sanur – famed for its Gado Gado and Nasi Jinggo, this wonderful warung tends to keep things simple but tasty. It’s street food in Bali but with some seating even if they still use a banana leaf to wrap most items that they sell.
Badung Market (Pasar Badung) – this street market in Denpasar is home to some of the finest street food in Bali. It’s also the area’s one-stop shop for nearly every household item, so if you need to stock up on washing up liquid or bed linen, this is the place to go. It’s not a night market, mind you, and the best time to visit for their food is in the early morning before it gets crowded. Make sure to try the Es Kelapa Muda (a drink rated in the top 20 most delicious drinks in the world by CNN).
Jimbaran Fish Market (Pasar Jimbaran) – this is, perhaps, the best place to eat seafood in Bali and it’s more than just a culinary experience but also a cultural one. We recommend getting there at sunrise as the ships come ashore and the catch is hauled off the boats. You can be absolutely certain that it’s fresh as you choose the fish and other tasty treats you want. You can ask the local chefs to clean and prepare your choices for a small fee too. At night it’s a haven of street food in Bali when all the warungs open and start serving up their own takes on the day’s catch.
Batu Bolong Street, Canggu – this is, perhaps, the best area on the island for street food and there are dozens of restaurants and warungs in this area where you can try the local cuisine. We’re big fans of Warung Bu Mi and King Nasi Streetfood. There are also plenty of bars near here where you can grab a cold beer to wash your Nasi Jinggo down with.
Sindhu Night Market (Pasar Sindhu) – this night market in Sanur is well known for the street chefs that turn the area into a foodie’s paradise in the evening. If you can’t find it in Sindhu Night Market, it’s probably because it’s not authentically Balinese cuisine. Look out for the durian ice cream that vendors sell here, which we think is the best way to tackle the complex flavours of the world’s stinkiest and most controversial fruit.
Seminyak Eat Street – with over 2 kilometres of restaurants, bars, cafes, warungs and street vendors in this area, Seminyak’s Eat Street is the perfect place for any foodie to get a feed on. Just be warned, this is upscale street food in Bali and it’s going to be pricier than in other similar destinations here. The desserts of palm sugar and grated coconut are particularly good here, mind you.
FAQs
Which Area Is Best For Street Food In Bali?
Canggu’s Jalan Batu Bolong is one of the best spots for street food dishes in Bali. You can find so many different street foods most of which are traditional Indonesian cuisine in this area.
The road runs for about 2 miles, so you have plenty of places to choose from and there’s no need to settle for the first Indonesian meatball soup that you see.
What Is The Famous Food In Bali?
Mie Goreng (fried noodles) or Nasi Goreng (fried rice) are probably the most famous street food options in Bali.
Other favourites include fried chicken sate with peanut sauce, Nasi Jinggo (a ready-to-eat rice dish very popular in street markets in Bali), Nasi Campur, etc.
Is Street Food Cheap In Bali? How Much Is Bali Street Food?
Yes, street food is cheap in Bali, at least when compared to Western economies. It’s marginally more expensive for street food dishes than in countries like Thailand or Vietnam but there’s not much in it.
A basic dish such as fried noodles served out of a banana leaf or Nasi Jinggo won’t cost much more than 15,000-30,000 IDR (that’s $1-2 USD or $1.50-$3 AUD) and even a large dish full of more expensive ingredients such as minced meat or suckling pig won’t set you back a huge amount.
Of course, cost is relative and for some people, they may find Bali street food a little more expensive than they would like, but for most people, it’s very good value, indeed.
Can You Eat Street Food In Bali?
Yes! While Bali Belly is an issue for many travellers, it’s not usually caused by food but rather by contaminated water.
However, if you want to be certain about the food that you eat, you should always ensure that it’s hot and fresh and try to avoid salads (which are often washed in contaminated water).
It’s best not to eat things that have been lying around in the hot sun all day long where they can become contaminated with bacteria.
Is Bali Expensive For Food?
No, Bali, when compared to most Western countries, can be very inexpensive for food even though it’s an island and many products must be imported.
However, if you want to eat the finest imported products in fine dining restaurants, Bali has many such places for you to eat and they aren’t cheap at all.
Street food in Bali, on the other hand, is very reasonably priced and you can find a meal (though they may be small portions) that vendors sell for as little as 15,000 IDR (that’s $1 USD or $1.50 AUD) though you may need to pay a bit more for more expensive ingredients.
You can also do your grocery shopping cheaply at the markets and supermarkets here and cook at home if you’re looking for the lowest possible cost per meal.
Ingredients like palm sugar, rice flour, chili sauce, grated coconut, etc. are available in most locations (and may already be stocked in the kitchens of private villas on the island).
How To Book A Bali Street Food Tour Or Cooking Class?
We always recommend that you book tours, holidays, or classes in Bali through the amazing people at the Bali Res Centre.
They can arrange the best deals, through their local contacts, on hotels, flights, and much more and because they’re based here in Bali, they can ensure you stay in the right places and have the right people on hand to have an amazing time here on the island.
Final Thoughts On Balinese Cuisine And Street Food
Eating street food is a great way to save a little money and to try authentic dishes of Balinese cuisine.
Whether you visit Pasar Sindhu or a vendor near where you’re staying, you’ll find that street foods in Bali are tasty and exciting.
Read more: The 20 Best Markets Bali: Your Full Guide To The Best Markets And Night Markets In Bali
