Babi Guling — Bali's National Dish
Babi Guling (suckling pig) is Bali's signature dish — and on a Hindu island in a predominantly Muslim country, also a culinary statement of identity. A whole piglet is stuffed with a paste of turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, chili, and long pepper and rotated for hours over coconut shell charcoal until the skin is glossy and crispy and the meat is butter-tender.
The result is served in several components: crispy skin (Kulit), juicy meat, Lawar (chopped meat with coconut, spices, and sometimes fresh blood), Urutan (sausage filling), and rice. A complete Babi Guling set in a warung costs 30,000-50,000 IDR (1.70-2.80€) — and is one of the best meals you will ever have for under 3 euros.
The most famous Babi Guling warungs:
- Ibu Oka (Ubud) — Made famous by Anthony Bourdain, always crowded, always good. Nasi Babi Guling from 50,000 IDR.
- Warung Babi Guling Chandra (Denpasar) — Where the Balinese themselves eat. Huge portions, even lower prices.
- Pak Malen (Seminyak) — Perfect for tourists staying in South Bali.
💡 Tipp
Babi Guling is a morning and lunchtime dish — the best warungs open at 8 or 9 AM and are sold out by 1 or 2 PM. If you come in the afternoon, you'll only get leftovers. Come early!