Bali isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s also a paradise for your taste buds. While tourists often flock to restaurants and cafes, the real heart of Balinese cuisine lives on the streets, in humble warungs (local eateries), and wrapped in brown paper bags sold from street carts. If you want to eat like a true local, there’s no better way than diving into classic dishes like capcay, babi guling, and nasi campur.
Capcay (pronounced “chap-chay”) is a comforting vegetable stir-fry dish with Chinese-Indonesian roots. Typically cooked with a mix of carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, and baby corn, it’s flavored with garlic, oyster sauce, and sometimes tossed with chicken or shrimp. It’s light, tasty, and often served over rice. You’ll find capcay at street-side stalls or modest warungs, made fresh to order and bursting with savory aromas.
For meat lovers, babi guling is a must-try. This is Bali’s famous roasted suckling pig, traditionally prepared during ceremonies but now widely available in local eateries. The pork is marinated with turmeric, garlic, ginger, and a rich blend of spices, then slow-roasted until the skin is perfectly crispy. It’s usually served with rice, spicy sambal, and sides like fried intestines or lawar (a seasoned vegetable and coconut mix). You won’t forget your first bite—it’s spicy, crunchy, and deliciously rich.
Perhaps the most common and beloved street food in Bali is nasi campur, which literally means “mixed rice.” This dish features a scoop of white rice surrounded by a variety of toppings like fried tempeh, peanuts, vegetables, shredded chicken, egg, and sambal. Each vendor’s version is slightly different, making every nasi campur experience unique. The best part? It’s usually packed into a brown paper wrap or banana leaf and handed to you warm and ready to go—perfect for enjoying on a park bench or beachside.
Buying from a street cart in Bali is an experience in itself. Locals line up for their daily meals, chatting with the vendor and watching their food assembled with care. It’s fast, affordable, and deeply satisfying. Eating from a brown paper bag with your hands or a small spoon makes the meal feel more authentic—and more connected to the island’s everyday rhythm.
When in Bali, skip the fancy restaurant once in a while and follow the locals. The flavours are unforgettable.
