13 Best pork dishes in Bali for the most authentic, local and satisfying experience in Bali

Written by Cisca Lim
Edited by Jiayi Ng

Everyone knows there’s good pork to be had in Bali – sow what?

Given that majority of Bali’s population hails from the Hindu community, the restriction to pork is not as strict as in other parts of Indonesia. And when you add local Balinese flavour to the succulent meat that so many love, you just can’t help but create a work of culinary art.

Case in point, Babi Guling – the most popular and mouth-watering suckling pork specialty in Bali. With numerous variations found in stalls all over the island, each Babi Guling has its own unique and authentic taste, some more popular than the others.

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But we’re not interested in going where everyone’s going – true gluttons head where the best food can be found.

And you’re coming with us today! From the essential Babi Guling to adventurous hybrid dishes with Western and Asian influences, here are Bali’s best pork dishes that you’ll definitely want to pig out on:

1. The next “pig” superstar on the island – Babi Bagus, Denpasar

You can’t hide good things for long, and such is the case with Babi Bagus, which is now on its second outlet in Tuban.

Located in Umalas Denpasar, the first Babi Bagus is just a simple store by the narrow roadside with an equally humble setting.

The open-door stall houses long tables parked up to the wall and several chairs. Next to it is a small glass display where the ingredients are, along with a gorgeous looking whole pancetta-like pork creation called porchetta!

Don’t judge it by its simple appearance, though. With portions ranging from normal to a larger special, Babi Bagus is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Served separately from rice on a rattan plate is a juicy chopped tenderloin topped with a Balinese spice sauce, deep-fried pork intestines and lawar (traditional Balinese mixed vegetables with coconut, satay and pork crackling). You’ll even get a tasty bowl of soup to balance out the dryness!

Set up by three young Balinese who experimented with Pancetta back during their Melbourne-college days, Babi Bagus aims to be original and yet stay faithful to the local flavour. Judging by what we’ve seen so far, they’ve definitely delivered on that promise.

2. Queue up for the divine pork skewers: Sate Babi Bawah Pohon

What’s Indonesia without its legendary ‘sate’? And what’s Bali without Sate Babi Bawah Pohon, also known as the sate stall under a tree (it used to be, but they recently moved away!)?

Those pork skewers attract crowds of babi-lovers! The stall started small, owned by a lady but is now directed by a whole crew! It is that good and that popular among locals!

Don’t expect these to be adjusted to foreigners’ tastes – just be ready for the spicyness! But according to us, it is just right! Some might want to bite on the extra chillies on the side too.

The pork is perfectly grilled – tender and juicy and all soaked in flavours and spices, while  the sauce drips – sweet, savoury and a little spicy. This is a one-of-a-kind street food experience you shouldn’t miss while in Bali!

Pick between a bowl of rice and some rice cakes or simply choose to level up on your sate pieces! Each portion comes with 8 skewers but it’s never too much sate when it’s from Sate Babi Bawah Pohon!

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3. Euphoria for pork lovers – Souphoria Bali, Seminyak.

It’s all about pork with Souphoria! One look at the menu sheet, and you’ll be spoiled for choice with all its pork-centric dishes.

It may be situated by a quiet road amongst rice terrace fields, but that’s not stopping many people from flocking to this place to get a taste of its fine Crispy Pork Belly Sambal Matah. Not only is the food delicious, the restaurant’s quirky decor adds on to an interesting dining experience.

The signature Crispy Pork Belly Sambal Matah is a wholesome plate of white rice with a side of crackers and tender pork belly meat. Mix it all up with the generous local matah sauce, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that is every bit addictive and spicylicious.

Then there’s their signature Pork Ribs Soup that’s almost similar to your usual oxtail soup, but with the added sweetness that only a long-boiled pork rib can offer. Another favourite is the Pork Belly Spicy Salted Egg and the unique newcomer, Spicy & Sour Pork Ear.

We think they should just rename themselves Euphoria, because that’s what we feel looking at these pictures.

4. Western-style porky food porn – Pork Star, Seminyak

Pork Star is a quirky eatery with a pink container parked before the restaurant serving as their kitchen. Why pink? Well, it’s the colour of a pig!

Don’t let the pink get you thinking that this is just another fluffy eatery, because these guys are serious about their pork menu. Start off with the famous Pork Dynamite, a bite-size serving of six mozzarella cheese and pork bacon wraps.

Then there’s Pork Star’s Pork Belly, served with steamed rice, a side of French Fries and your choice of sauce. Munch down on the succulent and tender, juicy meat – never has so much satisfaction existed in one bite.

More deliciousness can be found in their menu, such as the Nasi Campur Pork Star and Mixed Platter for sharing with friends (or gobbling down by yourself!).

True to its name, pork is the star of the show here, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

5. A small hidden gem for spicy pork – Warung Cahaya, Seminyak

*Temporarily closed due to COVID-19*

Just an unpretentious and small eating space with a local vibe, Warung Cahaya keeps it simple and nice with light decorations in a bright-themed cafe.

But don’t be fooled by its sweet appearance! When it comes to serving a mean pork dish, their fried pork with sambal matah can do more than just deliver. The meat is deep-fried to a perfect caramel brown with a texture that’s soft and juicy at the same time.

As for the matah sauce, the shallot tastes fresh and the spiciness of the chili is just flawless. Along with the warm rice, every hot bite makes you sweat and wince but the urge to munch on continues.

Due to its rising popularity, an insider tip recommends that you make a quick call before visiting to make sure that they still have the matah sauce left. You’re also advised to come early. There might be a bit of a wait, but it’s going to be well worth it!

6. The piggy superhero and its soupy sidekick – Warung Babi Guling & Balung Kuah Bu Dayu, Kuta

*Temporarily closed due to COVID-19*

Around 6pm until late at night everyday, a small commotion happens along the busy roadside of Kuta. Don’t worry, the only thing they’re fighting for is a taste of Bu Dayu’s Babi Guling.

Served by the owner herself, what makes this pork dish noteworthy is the small bowl of Balung Kuah that comes with it. If Batman has Robin, Bu Dayu’s Babi Guling has Balung Kuah. This perfect sidekick to the main dish is a refreshing soup boiled from pork bones and feet, then seasoned with spices for that light hot taste when it hits your palate.

As for the main star, it’s a plateful of warm white rice topped with tender pork meat, fried pig intestines, a shard of pig skin, satay, lawar and urap – both Balinese mixed vegetables with coconut shreds.

Many have raved about how authentic Bu Dayu’s creation is as it has a heavy hint of aromatic spices. The drool-inducing meat also has a well-balanced flavour with just the perfect level of  spiciness.

With such culinary perfection lying in wait, what are you waiting for? There’s no need to dress up for Bu Dayu – just come early before it’s all sold out!

7. Sinful, addictive, and porkilicious – Babi Guling Pak Dobiel/ Sari Dewi, Nusa Dua

This warung is nothing fancy, but if you believe in love at first sight, then a plate of Babi Guling Pak Dobiel is going to have you hooked for more.

Your true love is served on a glass plate along with heaps of delicious condiments, including pork satay, sinful lard, juicy chopped meat and a side of bean sprouts along with other vegetables. Last but not least, the lightly salted crackling pork skin placed on top is simply icing on the cake.

Whether you want to mix it all up or not, each spoonful promises you a crunchy, lardy, and salty goodness. If you’re feeling up for some extra savouriness, you can also request for some pork innards.

This Babi Guling also comes with a bowl of soup for an extra surcharge, but how could you leave this romance incomplete? Add away for the complete Pak Dobiel experience!

8. Still one of the best-kept local secrets – Babi Guling Sari Kembar, Seminyak, Kuta

Located a little out of the way from main Seminyak, Babi Guling Sari Kembar is probably the most recommended warung by the locals in the area.

They all love it for the obvious reasons: it’s authentic, delicious and affordable. There’s no fancy business here – Babi Guling Sari Kembar is a no nonsense warung serving those who are looking for a quick yet scrumptious Babi Guling fix.

Watch as the seller’s quick hands mix the plate of rice and decorate it with a fatty sausage, sweet meat, satay, lawar, cassava leaf, and tender old pork. The finishing touch is a few pieces of sweet crackling pig skin and a big cracker.

There are four things to choose from the menu: nasi campur (mixed rice), nasi pisah (rice served separately), nasi spesial (special rice) and nasi campur special (special mixed rice), with varying prices. While they differ in portion and serving method, rest assured, for the heavenly taste is something that remains.

Well, choosing to have your rice served separately would result in a slightly pricier bill, but hey, good things are worth paying for.

9. The early bird gets the pork – Selingsing Cepaka, Tabanan

Your quest for the best Babi Guling may just end here – that is, if you can wake up for it.

This little warung is actually located in someone’s house, down an alley in Buduk. There are no signs to direct you, but the tempting smell of roasting pork will guide you in the right direction. It’s also only open from 2am to 9am in the morning, so no more lazing in bed!

It’ll definitely be worth it, don’t worry. Everything about the Babi Guling here is perfect – the skin is so crispy, the pork so tender, and servings are more than generous.

We recommend that everyone tries this Babi Guling at least once. If it sounds like just the thing to tickle your taste buds, you should absolutely get up early for this splendid ‘secret’ meal – you won’t regret it!

10. Old is gold – Babi Guling Men Suka, Kuta

Located in the corner of the Kuta district right across Hotel Grand Kuta is a small Babi Guling warung with over 30 years of experience.

The joint is far from fancy and slightly under-the-radar, but it’s always packed, particularly during lunch time, with people who can’t get enough of the affordable and authentic dish.

Photo Via Putrasj_Ketut

By looks alone, Babi Guling Men Suka is not much different from your usual Babi Guling – a plate of rice topped with the familiar sides such as roast suckling pig, pork skin, lawar (Balinese mixed vegetables), and a small bowl of soup.

But we know better than to judge by appearances, don’t we? By the time the whole mix hits your tastebuds, you’ll love the tender, flavourful and meaty pork, which has just the right amount of saltiness. The crunchy skin is slightly glazed with oil and a thin layer of fat – anything that sounds that sinful just has to be delicious.

We’re not forgetting the soup, which rounds off your meal with a spicy kick.

After so many fancy meals, Babi Guling Men Suka is here to prove that sometimes, simple is best, and a good old Babi Guling is even better.

11. Babi Guling with a local twist – Babi Guling Gianyar Pande Made Oka, Gianyar

If you ever wind up in the culture-rich area of Gianyar, be prepared for an authentic experience for both your soul and palate.

The Babi Guling here is the badass sibling to Kuta and Seminyak’s flavourful and salty suckling pigs – strong and spicy but still fresh and fragrant to the core.

Better yet, you get to witness for yourself the whole process that leads to the creation of this mouth-watering dish! Even if you aren’t hungry when you arrive, you’ll definitely be by the time you lay hands on your plate.

The portions are extra generous but don’t be surprised if you find yourself munching the whole thing down in no time, including the ever crispy shards of skin and crunchy dry crackers!

12. The Babi Guling with a dark secret (house sauce) – Babi Guling Handayani

When you reach a spacious parking lot packed with cars, you know it’s a sign of delicious food!

Babi Guling Handayani is a warung with a semi-outdoor concept, with casual wooden furniture filling the dining area. An attractive array of chopped meat and ingredients are displayed openly, and looking at those, it’s not hard to imagine why so many people are flocking here.

Lunch here includes a “greenish” soup that is rich with Balinese traditional spices and pork broth, followed with a large plate of Babi Guling complete with the meat, crackling skin, fried innards, lard, fish sate, urutan (pig sausage) and lawar (mixed vegetables).

Last but not least, generous drips of Handayani’s special green sauce, made from a mix of spices, are placed on top. When these come together with the meat and rice, voila! There you have it – an unforgettable and special eating experience you won’t get elsewhere.

13. The hottest pork satay around – Sate Plecing Singaraja Warung Dharma

Sate Plecing is a traditional Balinese dish which is marked by a special red sambal sauce. If you love pork and spice, then Sate Plecing Singaraja Warung Dharma is your guy!

Located at Jalan Gunung Agung, Denpasar, you can’t miss the bright yellow headboard that decorates the small satay store. Amidst modest tables and plastic chairs, your pork satay is charcoal-grilled on the spot to an irresistible aroma.

Once finished, these pork skewers will be drenched in the store’s signature red sambal plecing sauce. By this point the smell is probably killing you, but be patient – the dish is made complete with a dash of fried shallot crisps and slices of cucumber to soothe your tongue.

In addition to pork, they also sell chicken and beef satays, so don’t worry, you do have choices. If you’re really greedy (we mean, really hungry), you can also opt for the set meal, which comes with satay plecing, a plate of rice and a bowl of soto soup!

Or you could just down one hundred satays and call it a day – we wouldn’t mind doing that at all.

Have we awakened your inner pork-beast (and forced you to memorise the ingredients for Babi Guling) yet? A word to the wise: For the best, most authentic and satisfying pigging out time, just like a true Balinese would, bookmark the page before you hit X!

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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