It’s no secret I enjoy food and Indonesians are serious eaters.  Like Europeans they are highly concerned with quality and taste.

Nasi (Rice) is their daily bread.  It’s eaten at every meal, including breakfast. From mild to scorching hot, spicy flavoring is also an integral part of the local fare. Served in the form of a sauce or integrated with peppers into a dish, these sweat producing flavors help maintain an appetite in the melting climate.

I’m not sure the spicy chili sauces increased my appetite, but they definitely made me sweat.

Food is often enjoyed at Warungs (Restaurant or Food Stalls selling traditional Indonesian fare) and Indonesians are typically dedicated to their favorite Warung.

My first meal was at Warung Wardani, in Denpasar.  I dove in with the recommended Indonesian staple Nasi Campur (literally Mixed Rice) rice with various meats, vegetables, peanuts, egg and fried-shrimp chips - chili sauce optional.

From there it was a plethora of adventures including, crab with preserved egg, brains, pork rind, Babi Guling (Suckling Pig), oxtail soup, Es Dowet (Coconut Milk with Brown Sugar and Tapioka) and other fare whose origins I may never know.

More familiar dishes included Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), that may be accompanied by an egg, vegetable chips, and prawns, Pisang Goreng (Fried Banana – Yum!), Ayam Goreng (Fried Chicken), Mie Ayam (Noodles with Chicken), Bakso (Fish, Chicken or Beef Meatballs), Soto Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Soup), and Barbecued Ribs. 

I have a low tolerance for spicy, but the local chili sauces come in a variety of strengths and add incredible flavor to dishes.  I enjoyed everything, with water and rice on standbye in case of a fire on my palette.

But what I really enjoyed was the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.  Nasi Campur has soft rice, crunchy peanuts, snapping shrimp chips and more, to keep your palette busy with changing  sensations.

I also loved the quantity and variety of Indonesian vegetable and shrimp chips.  Packaged in clear plastic bags, they are everywhere and delicious.

And perhaps a cultural difference or an obsession with cleanliness, but sinks are often found in the dining area of most restaurants.  A convenient way for clients to clean their hands before or after a meal, especially if eating with their hands.

Hope you are hungry!  Enjoy!

Leslie

CATEGORIES: Escapes, Travel

TAGS: Bali, Eating & Drinking