3 LOCAL RESTAURANTS IN BALI YOU SHOULD TRY!

I've been to Bali for several times and I think local Balinese foods never fails me once. Well, if you are not into spicy and spices foods, maybe Indonesian foods are not your cup of tea. But believe me, you don't like Indonesian foods because you haven't met the good one. Once you meet the best taste of Indonesian foods, you will never say no to them. Honestly, I'm not really into spicy foods as well. However, most Indonesia local foods area served with spicy taste, so I have to learn to like it little by little. I still don't get used to it, but in fact I always crave for those Indonesian foods tho, especially for Balinese foods :)

Visiting Bali for a week is never enough to compile and refine which are the best local foods. But I was trying my best to explore its local foods.. From Chicken, Fish, and Pork.. and here my 3 best restaurants that you have to try when you are in Bali!

1. Ayam Betutu Bu Lina

Not a big fan of Ayam Betutu, but I thought I had to try this one since I was in Gilimanuk area. Yes, Ayam Betutu is originally from Gilimanuk, so you have to try at least once when you are around the area. There are many reviews about Ayam Betutu in Gilimanuk, the top 2 is Ayam Betutu Men Tempeh and Ayam Betutu Bu Lina. There are some rumors that Bu Lina used to be Men Tempeh's employee. She got out from Men Tempeh and created her own brand. But also there're some rumors says that they're relatives, so actually their recipes are hereditary recipes from their ancestors.

However, whatever the rumors are, I believe they have 2 of the best Ayam Betutu in town. I personally only tried Ayam Betutu Bu Lina, because most local people review this restaurant better than Men Tempeh. So yes, of course we have to believe on local people in judging their own tradition, right?

Ayam Betutu Bu Lina is located Kabupaten Jembrana, Gilimanuk. It's only around 10 minutes away from Pelabuhan Gilimanuk (Gilimanuk Port). So if you visit Bali via the Pelabuhan Gilimanuk, you have to try Ayam Betutu Bu Lina because you will pass this restaurant along your route to Denpasar.

Bu Lina only sell 1 menu : Ayam Betutu. If you don't like chicken, probably you can't have your meal here. There are 2 types of Ayam Betutu in here, Basah and Kering (Read : Damp and Dry). I ordered the damp one, a Damp-Whole-Ayam Betutu. It was served with boiled vegetables, peanuts, and of course the almight sambal. Yes!!! You have to try the sambal. Taste sooooo good when you put it on the top of the chicken. And don't forget to pour the leftover soup at the top of your chicken. Taste a little bit salty and spicy. 

I forget the price, but I paid around 200,000 IDR / 14 USD for 1 whole chicken, 4 plate of rice and 4 drinks. It's worth the price tho. It's also Moslem friendly since it has MUI Certified. Overall I give 8/10 score for Ayam Betutu Bu Lina.

Ayam Betutu Bu Lina

Kabupaten Jembrana, Gilimanuk

Telp. 0813-3822-6621

Opening Hours : Everyday 7 am - 7 pm

2. Warung Mak Beng

I hail to one of my most favorite local restaurants in town : Warung Mak Beng!! I'm a huge fan of seafood, but I've never tried this kind of fish before. Located in the Sanur Beach seashore, Warung Make Beng serves the simplest yet full have taste of fish.

It's only a plate of fried tasty fish, accompanied by a small plate of sambal which you definitely have to add with a squeeze of lime. It also served with a bowl of fish head soup with cucumber inside. Believe me, first bite was amazing. The fried fish, mixed with the soup broth.... taste so good. Really tasty. I give 10/10 for this menu!! Definitely will come back for this menu. It costs only 55,000 IDR / 4 USD per portion, which includes the fried fish, soup, and rice. Totally worth the price.

Warung Mak Beng

Address : Jalan Hang Tuah No.45, Sanur Kaja, Denpasar Selatan, Sanur Kaja, Kec. Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227

Telp. (0361) 282633

Opening Hours : Everyday 8 am - 9 pm

3. Babi Guling Sari Dewi - Dobiel

Well, there are many of Babi Guling restaurants around the city. I don't know which one has the best taste because it might be back to our own taste. For some tourists, Babi Guling Pak Malen is one of their favorite Babi Guling in town. For some might like Warung Babi Guling Bu Oka. Those both are the 2 top of mind of Babi Guling for tourists. However, some locals said that there are still many other Babi Guling that has a better taste than Babi Guling Pak Malen and Bu Oka. One of them is Babi Guling Sari Dewi, also known as Babi Guling Dobiel.

Its is located around Nusa Dua, maybe only around 5 minutes away from Nusa Dua gate. And just like the other local restaurants, Babi Guling Dobil only serve 1 menu : The famous Babi Guling.

First thing first. Babi Guling Dobil now is well-known already by domestic tourists, so it's a bit crowded as I reached there. Since it's located in the small lane, it's a bit difficult to find a car park. But you don't need to worry, because the taste of Bali Guling in there will wash the effort away. I love every mixture of the taste. A full plate of rice with Babi Guling, crispy pork skin, assorted tasty vegetables, Sate Babi, and of course with sambal on the top of it. It also served with a bowl of pork broth with pork shroud and bones inside the soup.

How about the taste? So Tasty. No doubt. I give 9/10 score.

The taste of spices and pork are united into a plate of heaven. If you don't like spicy, you might get rid of the sambal. It doesn't lower the taste of this food anyway.

A plate of Nasi Babi Guling Dobil cost for 45,000 IDR / 3 USD.

Warung Babi Guling Pak Dobiel

Address : Jl. Srikandi No.9, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361

Telp. (0361) 771633

Opening Hours : Everyday 10 am - 4 pm

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So that's all for today. I hope it's useful for you to find the best local foods in Bali.

I'm really hungry by the way during my time writing this post by the way. Now I'm gonna look for Balinese foods in town, hopefully I can find it one, the good one. Have a blessed day everyone!