22 Unique Bali souvenirs that are so authentic, local and strange you must bring home

Versi Bahasa Indonesia: https://indonesia.tripcanvas.co/id/bali/oleh-oleh-spesial-khas/

Written by Stephanie Peeters
Co-written by Nadia Crowe and Ng Jiayi
Edited by Beverley Lennon

Surely you must be tired of bringing back another similar-yet-different souvenir from your holiday, which usually consists of chocolates, keychains, magnets and other trinkets with a somewhat exotic appearance.

Why not find something that is truly special in your holiday destination?

Also read:

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13 best places for furniture and homeware shopping in Bali

The Ultimate shopping guide to Bali – clothes, homewares, art and more

32 incredible things to do that prove Bali is the craziest

In Bali, where creativity abounds, you can actually find gifts that are unique to the island, to surprise your friends with and to bring home a little of the colours, scents, and the mystical music that you experienced during your vacation. Most of these are actually pretty affordable too!

Ready to find out?

1. Transform a little piece of your home into Bali –  Kara Home Living

There’s something about the way villas, hotels, and your favourite Canggu cafes are decorated. It’s boho, it’s charming, and it’s (for lack of a better word) just so “Bali”. It’s no wonder that when it comes to interior design, more and more people are turning to Bali as their source of inspiration!

Now you can bring back a piece of decor that will transform an area in your home into the Bali that you experienced and grew to love. Kara Home Living is the perfect place to pick up a few of these trinkets.

Rattan placemats will remind you of that one sunset you experienced whilst having dinner overlooking a pristine beach, and woven baskets will remind you of the endless rows of paddy fields you encountered. The ultimate memoir!

2. Always be ready for an OOTD snap – Rattan Bag

Lately more and more people have started using rattan bags, they come in various shapes and sizes or even colours, but they always give off such a distinct look. Keeping up with this gorgeous trend can be super compelling, and thankfully you are in Bali, because on this island you can find every single Rattan bag that’s been made under the sun.

No matter the colour, design, or shape, you’ll find it here. If you’re super keen, head over to one of the following markets: Sukawati Art Market or Penglipuran Village, but really, frankly speaking – any souvenir centre will have them!

Don’t forget to also buy some for your stylish friends back home so you can be OOTD ready!

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3. Bali’s most famous and beloved sweet treat: Pie Susu

The Pie Susu is the most famous and iconic sweet treat in Bali. You’ll often find many local travellers hunting down these delicious milk pies to take home, but what’s so good about them and where is the best place to get them?

We did a little research and tasted different brands of this much-loved Pie Susu, and we found the best Pie Susu in Bali at Pie Susu Enaaak, the original Pie Susu maker, which has been around since 1989. Now, there are numerous Pie Susu shops around and it is very important not to confuse the replicas with the original one if you don’t want to be disappointed.

What makes this specific shop so good is that the pies are freshly made everyday by hand, without added preservatives. This is also the reason why there is only a limited daily stock available, of which most are reserved upfront. It tastes so good that every day, you will find queuing in front of the shop just to get a piece of this delicious homemade milk pie.

Pie Susu Enaaak’s milk pies are soft, sweet and creamy on the inside, wrapped in delicious homemade dough and baked to perfection. They are a must-try and a must-take-home Bali souvenir as well.

To make sure you get a taste of this Balinese delight, it is best to make a reservation one day before. You can pay online or at the shop when you pick up your box. It’s a bit more effort, but surely, you will taste the difference and you will know what the original Pie Susu in Bali is so famous for. Selamat Makan!

4. Let the monkey in you take control – Bali Banana

Food is always a good idea as a souvenir as it regularly can attest to an entire culture! Bali Banana has absolutely blown up over the past few years, no one can seem to resist its sweet flavour, its light texture, and its wacky combinations!

Opt for the banana cake covered in pastry crumbs, and topped with chocolate pasta, doesn’t it sound like an absolute delight to your taste buds? Everyone at home will be raving at the taste and begging for more, so make sure you buy several boxes!

If you want something that’s a little less likely to give you a toothache, they have one banana cake that’s covered from top to bottom in cheese! The perfect blend of sweet and savoury!

5. Buy gorgeous fabrics and support the local women: Threads of Life

A beautifully well-suited name for an amazing initiative! Threads of Life supports thousands of women from 11 islands across the Indonesian archipelago. With a fair-trade business model, selling these fabrics empower these women to overcome poverty.

With local materials, natural dyes and traditional methods, the most stunning ikat and traditional Batik fabrics are created, handwoven by these skillful Indonesian women. Weaving traditional fabrics also helps to preserve ancient knowledge and cultural heritage that is traditionally passed on from generation to generation.

By buying these gorgeous fabrics, you are supporting the local community and bringing home a unique island souvenir with an amazing story. Aren’t the gifts with stories always the best ones?

You can add even more depth your story by joining one of the classes held at Threads of Life,  where you will learn more about how these traditional fabrics are made!

6. You’ll only relate to these items if you’ve been to Indonesia – Bali Tees

There’s nothing more classic than getting a fun printed t-shirt as one of your souvenirs, they’re cool, practical, and generally very well received by everyone! Well, Bali is no different, there are plenty of cute t-shirts to choose from in the markets, but you don’t want to be basic do you?

The best part about Bali Tees is that they’re incredibly adorable, uniquely Bali, and support a good cause. All locally produced, with the aim to improve the economic development of lower income regions. Not only that, 1% of each product sold goes to one of the foundations which they support, how amazing is that!

Good causes aside, these t-shirts are anything but mainstream, chicly designed, and with their own special style, you definitely won’t find the same anywhere else on the island. So you better make sure you get the Nasi Goreng one or if you’re a real Bali babe, get one that says so!

Besides, they also sell other unique products like pouches and keychains with fun prints that will remind you of your times in Bali permanently!

7. Local pastries that’s all the hype in Bali: Pia Legong

Local travellers love these crumbly Chinese-style pastries so much that you’ll never fail to see a daily queue at the original store.

Every morning, the Pia Legong baker gets up early to bake a fresh stock of his delicious local treat. They are made by hand and do not contain additives, so you need to consume them soon after you buy.

There are many shops selling Legong pastries, but the original one is Pia Legong in Kuta and there’s only one branch. The famous pastries come in three flavours – chocolate, cheese and mung beans, with cheese being the most popular one.

There’s only a limited stock available every day, so if you want to ensure you get yours, it is wise to order one day before (just give them a call!). If you are buying them without prior reservation, you can only purchase a maximum of 5 boxes in one go. (When we were in the queue for 4 boxes, a local traveller in front of us even asked if we could purchase one more box just so she could buy it from us!)

Just resist your temptation to eat them all before you reach home to your loved ones!

8. A taste of the island to share with friends: Indonesian wine and Arak

How about bringing home some local spirits and drinks to reminisce on your island stay? What can be more heartwarming that sharing your experiences with friends and family while sharing a bottle of local alcohol at the same time?

At Dewi Sri in Sanur, you can buy authentic Balinese rice wine and local Arak (a type of spirit that’s good for cocktails). Both drinks are made from fermented rice and they are traditionally used during Balinese ceremonies.

Dewi Sri is a Balinese family business that has produced these local drinks for over 40 years, so you can be sure they know how to make great quality rice wines – the perfect island gift!

Another great source to get a good bottle of Bali-produced wine is at Sababay Winery. This company supports local grape farmers owning sustainable vineyards in the north of the island. You can buy a bottle of red wine, white wine, rosé and even moscato – all made from Bali grapes and taste pretty darn good!

9. Freshly roasted organic coffee straight from the plantations of Bali: Kintamani Coffee

What if we told you, you can buy freshly roasted coffee beans or ground coffee from organic farms in the Kintamani mountains of Bali?

As an absolute coffee lover myself, I think that’s the best gift to bring home to thrill our coffee addict friends and family members!

The coffee plantations of two amazing organic coffee brands are found in the Kintamani mountains and the beans are roasted by hand, just days before you buy them in the shop, so you get the best taste possible. You can’t buy freshly roasted coffee like this in your supermarkets back at home – that’s for sure!

One coffee guru, Asher Yaron, set foot on the island years ago and never left after discovering the Kintamani coffee plantations, which led him to found his coffee brand – F.R.E.A.K Coffee.  The beans are harvested and roasted by himself to create the perfect cup of black goodness.

Cosmic Coffee is another great coffee brand from the Kintamani mountains, perfectly organic as it should be. Go get your daily caffeine shot at their coffee venues and be sure to take a couple of bags home with you, for yourself and for those who will be forever thankful.

10. Your own handmade silver jewellery: Chez Monique Jewelry

For its famed silver crafts and jewellery, tourists have been flocking to Celuk to catch a glimpse of what the street side vendors have to offer.

But really, what can be more unique than a silver ring or keychain that you made yourself?

No longer will you have to hide your hand behind your back when you find yourself wearing the exact same accessory as your friend, and you’ll never have to lament that you can’t find what best matches your style.

At the Chez Monique Silver Smith Class, you can learn to mold silver accessories!

While more intricate silver jewellery can cost up to IDR$500,000 (approximately USD$43), you can easily make your very own unique ring or necklace with only IDR$400,000 (approximately USD$34).

It’s also the perfect souvenir – no one else would have given your friend the same thing from Bali.

11. Add spice to your life – Hot Mama Sambal

Balinese cuisine is famous for its spicy and delicious taste. Well, for spicy lovers, you can bring back home a jar of Hot Mama Sambal as a not so typical Balinese souvenir.

Believe me, it is not just any chili sauce so you better be prepared to reach for ice cold water and wipe the sweat off your upper lip whilst eating it! If you’re looking for a little variety, this place has many options for you to choose from.

One of them is Sambal Bongkot (probably the most iconic Balinese sambal)  which is similar to chili sauce using a mixture of kecombrang (a special type of pink flower), garlic, and chili. Besides that, there’s also prawn chili paste, chili onion sauce, and roa sauce – all equally as spicy!

12. Satisfy your sweet tooth – Ubud Raw Chocolate Factory

Fancy a cup of hot chocolate to accompany your relaxing afternoon in Ubud? Great idea! Head straight to the Ubud Raw Chocolate Factory if that’s the case! Besides being able to enjoy a cup of quality hot chocolate, they also sell various types of chocolate that can be brought home.

For chocolate bars, there’s Raisin & Cashew, Mint & Gojiberry, literally anything that you can imagine! Not only that, there are also cocoa spreads which you can take home, talk about delicious!

Done by hand, and using only quality ingredients, the chocolates at Ubud Raw Chocolate contain 4 times more antioxidants than normal chocolate. It’s good, and pretty healthy, who can refuse?

13. Kickstart your health journey – Djamoekoe

Indonesia is known for its various healing methods. In Bali, you can find both herbal concoctions and kombucha drinks, best bought from Djamoekoe. Besides being healthy, these drinks are also incredibly refreshing, and perfect for escaping the Bali heat!

Packed in bottles with colorful labels, this drink successfully steals your attention. Variants range from Coco Loe, Coco Detox, Mr. Turbo, to Turmeric Acid. All of them will help you feel better in both mind and body!

You could definitely bring some of these bottles home in your bag, they’ll help you overcome the post Bali blues that you’ll be sure to feel upon arriving home. Not only that, your friends and family will love trying to be healthy with you!

14. Be a little cheeky – I <3 Bali Panties

There’s always room to be a little cheeky in our lives, and what better place to do so than Bali where judgement runs low! Token underwear has always been a cute way to remember a holiday, a moment in your life, or just a way to have a little bit of fun!

I <3 Bali panties can be bought at several different convenient stores or supermarkets, but what you really want to do if you’re looking for them specifically is head to Dokoyo Underwear. They specialise in unique and fun underwear, but most importantly, they specialise in I <3 Bali underwear!

Snag a couple for you and your friends, and have a sleepover where you can flaunt them off!

15. A taste of Bali for your loved ones at home – MiBabi (Non-halal)

Bored with the same old classic IndoMie? Bali has a different kind of instant noodles, it’s called MiBabi, and this one is a must try for pork lovers.

Produced in Bali, you can rest assured that you’ll only taste absolutely authentic pork noodles. Whether you choose to go with the soup kind or the fried kind, you won’t be disappointed. Make sure you don’t forget to add the garnishing on top for the ultimate experience! If you’re feeling a little extra, or you miss Bali too much, you could even whip up some of your own fried pork!

Oh yes, as you can guess from the name, this instant noodle is not halal, so pay close attention before you buy it for friends at work.

16. Goblins on the road: Crazy Bali Helmets

Bali has got the craziest helmet designs imaginable – they may not be very practical to wear but you probably will not be able to find them anywhere else.

Skull-shaped helmets and helmets with goblin horns resembling those from ‘Lord of the Rings’ – can you imagine zooming down the Balinese roads in these? If you don’t dare to wear them, they can also make nice decorative souvenirs in your home.

And if you’ve got a friend back home who rides motorbikes, this is the perfect souvenir from Bali!

The best places to find them are in the busiest parts of the island, and we have seen several shops selling them in Seminyak, Kuta and Legian. They are definitely easy to spot!

17. The soul of ancestors: Balinese wooden carved masks

Bali is a woodcarvers’ island.

Since the ancient times, beautiful and intricately ornamented wooden furniture, statues, and decorative boxes come from this Indonesian island. But what can be considered artistically unique to Bali?

Our suggestion – why not a wooden mask as it genuinely represents the Balinese culture? Wooden carved masks are easy to find as they are found in cheap souvenir shops in the island, but we recommend getting them from the local artists – they are of much better quality and you ensure that you are really supporting the local art trade and its community.

In Mas village, a woodcarvers’ village near Ubud, you can buy a hand-carved wooden mask from the artists themselves. They will also be able to share with you the meaning behind the masks too. – so you can get an authentic gift that is deeply meaningful at the same time.

The Balinese wooden masks are to be treated with care, as they are believed to carry the souls of ancestors. The masks are traditionally used during the Balinese ceremonies and dances. Made of beautiful quality wood such as mahony, suar and teak, it takes real craftsmanship, patience and dedication to finish one mask, taking weeks or even months to do so!

A famous mask maker from Village Mas, Ida Bagus Anom Suryawan, was born into a woodcarver’s family. His Father, Ida Bagus Made Geria, opened the Astina Gallery in 1970 and it is now open for visitors and students. Be sure to make a visit, it’s amazing to see their collection of masks and watch the artists at their work.

Watch a short video about the woodcarving family below.

You can also go for a two-hour woodcarving workshop, and take home your own handmade mask!

18. Get your own tailor-made traditional outfit: Balinese Kebaya

Have you always been intrigued by the sight of pretty Balinese ladies dresses in their stunning Balinese kabayas as they attend their traditional ceremonies?

This traditional ceremonial clothing is similar yet different from the Javanese kebaya. The Balinese kebaya comes in various colours and the all-white one is traditionally worn during religious ceremonies.

The V-necked blouse comes in all colours with buttons down the middle, and are decorated with lace and floral stitchings. Finally, a sash is wrapped around the waist, accentuating the figure of the beautiful women.

A Balinese kebaya would make a unique piece in your wardrobe too. You can buy it from souvenir shops such as Krisna, but you can also seek out your own fabric and get a local tailor to custom-make a Balinese kebaya that fits you perfectly.

Along Jalan Sulawesi in Denpasar, you will find many local textile shops selling the most beautiful fabrics in various materials and colours. In this textile paradise, it makes a fun day trip to just walk along this lively street as you search for your perfect match!

19. Taste Balinese chicken feet crackers: Keripik Ceker Ayam

Not really something you can wake me up for in the night just yet, but apparently these crispy crackers made of chicken feet are super yummy. My Indonesian man loves them and buys them whenever he gets the chance.

They are known as Keripik Ceker Ayam – a true Balinese treat you can buy in local supermarkets, street stalls and souvenir shops. They are crispy like chips but more delicious (or so I have been told). The claws and legs of the chickens are fried and spiced up with traditional herbs before they are packed without any added preservatives.

It sure makes a unique gift for your loved ones back home! A taste of this odd local snack just might get you hooked and it’s actually healthy too – full of calcium, protein and minerals. Who would’ve thought? Try it out!

20. Pandora’s Box? Wooden carved box with a hidden chamber

 Don’t want to get a beautiful but scary mask? How about a wooden carved box that contains a hidden chamber?

They come in all shapes and forms, from apples, crabs, turtles to butterflies, stealing the hearts of kids in seconds. Which child wouldn’t love to solve a puzzle, open it, and store their hidden treasures in?

Watch how we took this box apart below!

You can buy these puzzle boxes from local roadside stalls along Campuhan Ridge in Ubud, while enjoying a stroll through the emerald rice paddies. You can also buy them at the Sukawati Art Market. A perfect gift for the young and old!

21. Spiced up peanuts to get the party started: Kacang Disco

Peanuts are everywhere in Indonesia but the Kacang Disco (yes, disco peanuts) are only to be found in Bali, and they are something else!

These much-loved Balinese peanuts are wrapped in dough and spices before they are allowed to have a disco party in the frying pan. They come in all sorts of flavours from spicy chilli to barbecue to cheese and chicken. I bought some of these spicy peanuts in a market in Bedugul and they were absolutely delicious!

You can also buy them in souvenir shops all around the island. If you love nuts in general, the East Bali Cashew Nuts of Munti Gunung also make great souvenirs – your purchase will support the local community as well as your hungry belly.

22. Bring home the island music: Balinese gamelan instruments

Have you heard the mystical music of the Balinese gamelan?

The traditional gamelan instruments (often consisting of bamboo xylophones, bronze metallophones, gongs and the Balinese singing) are used in many ceremonies in the local villages and temples. Reason being: They produce such enchanting and rhythmical music!

Of course, you can simply buy a CD to reminisce the beautiful music of Bali back home, but wouldn’t it be much cooler to bring a traditional Balinese gamelan instrument home with you?

No, it doesn’t mean you have to make a big shipment or get an extra luggage suitcase. You can opt for small gamelan instruments that are convenient for you to bring onboard the plane, and they will look lovely in your home too.

Jegog is one of these instruments that’s crafted from bamboo. In the Green Village, you can join workshops to learn to play the instrument and even build one yourself! Now wouldn’t that be the perfect gift? You can even give your loved ones a little private concert at home.

Watch how the Balinese play them below!

If you want to check out more Balinese gamelan instruments, visit the Maori Musical instrument shop in Ubud or travel to Tihingan Village located in Klungkung, where most gamelan instruments are made by the local craftsmen there.

Special Mention 1

Get a permanent reminder of paradise with a tattoo! – Suku Suku Tatau

Feeling brave? There’s a tradition in Bali that spans across centuries and it’s tattoos of course! Suku Suku Tatau is a highly recommended tattoo parlour located in Seminyak, and they specialise in both hand poking tattoos and hand tapping tattoos.

Both processes take much longer than the more modern machine style tattoos, but they tend to hurt less and are far more invasive too! Getting a traditional tattoo is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but it’s an incredible moment, and definitely one that will help you remember your trip to Bali much more fondly!

Whether you choose your own design, get a traditional Balinese one like the Barong, or allow the artist to surprise you, it would be an amazing souvenir!

Hope we have given you creative inspiration for some authentic souvenirs to bring home! Which is your favourite? Have you bought any other interesting trinkets in Bali?

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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