Kristin's TOP STREET FOOD choices in Bali

To be honest, I am not a fan of Indo cuisine. I guess this is due to my coming from a place with amazing food and flavors, the Philippines. Also, I find dishes in Indonesia being too rich in MSG and artificial flavorings. Plus, the sambal (shrimp paste) gives me allergies.

However, there are a few that I actually really really like.

1.  The Siomay

Considered the Indonesian dumpling, it is made from steamed fish meat (tenggiri) mash with vegetables served in delicious peanut sauce. This is also often served with steamed cabbage, potatoes, and tofu.

Sold in travelling carts on the streets but may also be found in restaurants all over.

The two main kinds are the more popular Siomay Bandung (steamed) and the Batagor (fried).

*Bandung is probably where the Chinese settlers first introduced their dim sum dishes and the Bandung locals incorporated it into their cuisine and cooking style.

siomay bandung

siomay batagor

2. Satay Ayam

(Chicken Sate)

Who doesn't like Satay? This dish of seasoned, skewered grilled meat is quickly becoming Indonesia's most popular food (take that over-rated Nasi Goreng!).

The street-style and ordinary satay ayam is served with kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) mixed with peanut sauce. Squeeze some lime on for extra punch then top over freshly-cooked rice, this dish will definitely hit your hunger spot!

it's often served with pickled cucumber and you can opt to match it with
sticky rice too (as above).
photo: www.makansutra.com

Found in almost every street corner, various Indo regions boast to have the better version or style. Though many claim and my personal favorite, I think Madura is the best of all.

3. Martabak Telor

(Fried Folded Eggs)

is a stuffed pancake-style dish made from beaten eggs deep-fried in oil, folded as it fries, then stuffings are added. In Indonesia, you may choose a vegetarian-style where the stuffings are often shallots, garlic, and celery. Or the meat-style where they add in chicken or mutton.

Martabak is brought to Indonesia by the Indians of who received this from the Arabs. The name is derived from mutabbaq which in Arabic means "folded".

4. Terang Bulan aka Martabak Manis

(Stuffed Pancake / Sweet Martabak)

doesn't look much but it's delish!
this one even has chopped peanuts in it.
enak sekali!

From the same origin as Martabak Telor, this is made from Pancake Batter and fried in a greased pan. As it cooks, it is folded and stuffings are added. One may choose from coklat (chocolate), keju (cheese), susu (condensed milk), and pisang (banana), or a combination of all!

Such a delicious treat one can easily get addicted to!

5. Bakso Ayam

(Chicken Bakso)

Another food influenced by the Chinese, Bakso are Indonesian meatballs often made from beefmeat mix served in a bowl of beef broth, bihun (rice vermicelli), chopped cabbage, garlic, bean sprouts, shallots, celery, and crispy wontons.

It is more commonly sold in traveling carts but may also be found in warung (restaurants) where you will see signs for Bakso Solo or Bakso Malang, the two more popular versions of the dish. Recently, ready-to-cook frozen packs are available in the supermarkets.

Other kinds of bakso are made from chicken, fish, and shrimp. However, these are somewhat less prevalent on the island. Good thing, there's one sold near where I live.

photo: www.resepnasional.com