Which Warung in Bali? Discovering nice local food with decent price

For most foreigners, either tourists or expats who live in Bali, trying local food must be something interesting to do. Indonesian dishes aren’t the spiciest comparing to other countries in Asia, but we do use spices in every dish. Shallots and garlic are the basic spices in almost all Indonesian meals. We use as well ginger, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass and some others. In Europe or occidental countries, to give the spicy or hot flavor, people use black or white pepper, mustard, or for certain countries like Portugal or Spain, chili is common to give spicy flavor. The bird eye’s chili or in Indonesian local language normally called as caberawit is really often used to make spicy sauce(locally called sambal) as a side company of regular meal. In fact the bird’s eye chili was at first imported to Indonesia from Portugal and Spain during the era of colonization through traders. There are several other types of chili pepper which can be found in Indonesia apart of the bird’s eye chili. If you consider yourselves not a ‘fear factor’ type, don’t try these sambal unless you want to end up all day making your way in and out of toilet. There are various kinds of sambalas well, some are hotter than the other ones.

Since life cost in Indonesia is cheaper than in Europe, it is usual that people eat everyday in the small restaurants or stalls which are called as Warung. In Warung, we can find 4-10 types of dish (vegetables or meat) cooked differently which are accompanied by rice. Rice is a staple food in Indonesia, in other words, we eat vegetables, meats, but there’s always rice in the meal. So most warung in Bali usually serve what they call here nasi campur which you can choose the rice, generally there are two-three options : nasi putih (white rice), nasi kuning (yellow rice) and nasi merah (red rice). Then you choose the dish that goes with the rice, such as chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetables. Apart of nasi campur, many of these warung serve also some meals that are cooked on place directly such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), ayam bakar (grilled chicken), etc.

In Bali there are certainly options for different tastes of dishes, either local or international ones. We can find them with price range from 2 to more than 50 USD per meal. But for now we’re talking first about the local ones. So many warung we can find on the island, but then it is important to know which one that serves with at least a good standard of hygiene, taste and that worth the price. So these are some warung I can recommend for you who aren’t familiar yet with the island.

Warung Nevi (Jalan Raya Kerobokan, Kerobokan)

This warungis located in jalan Raya Kerobokan, the North part of Lio Square (the intersection between jalan Kerobokan and jalan Petitenget), not far after the red light of bar-resto with a plane on the rooftop, at the left side of the street. The price range is between 15k rupiah – 50k rupiah (1 – 5 USD). Apart of nasicampur, they serve asian food like capcay (which I recommend), Tom Yum soup, FuyungHai, etc.

Warung Surya (Jalan Mahendradatta, Denpasar)

It’s true that most tourists won’t really go and visiting this area since it’s not a really touristic one, but for some who are by chance happened to be around here at lunch or dinner hour, Warung Surya is one of the descent warungs in the area. It is located at the end of the street, not far from the gas station on the intersection with jalanGunungSoputan. When you already choose your dishes, you’ll pass by the cashier and they will give you a small paper laminated with the price of the meal, then you can order separately the beverage. Price range from 10k (depends on the dish you choose).

Warung Taman Bambu (Jalan Plawa, Seminyak)

This warung is located in a small street next to Warung Ocha (this Warung though is quite expensive, and yes.. not all Warung is identical with local price). Warung Taman Bambu serves nasi campurand offers a nice ambiance with bamboo decoration touch. Started from 15k.

Warung Melati (JalanArjuna/Double Six, Seminyak)

Located in the very touristic area, this warung is often crowded with local or foreign tourists. The range is started from 20k-50k. Try their fish soup, yummy! (a bit spicy).

Warung Murah (Jalan Petitenget, Kerobokan)

This warung is located three steps from Lio Square (the intersection between jalanPetitenget and JalanKerobokan), right on the left side of the street when you enter jalanPetitenget, next to the belly dance place. The price range is from 20k.

Warung Jepang (Jalan Merta Agung, Kerobokan)

It’s a small warung which has a Japanese concept of meal with fresh ingredients and quite light. You can choose between white rice or brown rice as staple food. The price range is starting from 20k.

Warung Cahaya (Jalan Dewi Ratih, Seminyak)

This warung actually doesn’t have nasi campur on their menu. Their signature dish is what Balinese call ayam sambal matah or babi sambal matah. Ayam means chicken and babi means pork, and sambal matah in local tongue means raw chili sauce. So it is basically minced pork or chicken sautéed with chili and shallots which are well mixed with oil, lime, and a bit of salt. They serve also the common Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng and mie goreng (fried rice or fried noodle). Ayam or Babi sambal matah plus rice will cost you around 30k rupiah or about 3 USD.

Warung Kecil (Jalan Duyung, Sanur)

If you happen to be stranded in the area of Sanur, which is the eastern part of the island, and you’re not feeling like eating western food nor spending money on fancy restaurants along Jalan Danau Tamblingan, then Warung Kecil is perfect for you. Kecil means small, which is exactly what the warung looks like. The place is just enough to have not more than 20 persons inside. They serve 4-5 kind of dishes for nasi campur and they have some other things on the menu, but I always take the nasi campur. Fresh ingredients, good taste, and good price starting from 22k.

Warung Bumi (Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu)

It is one of the most frequented warungs in Canggu with mostly surfers who went surfing in Canggu as visitors. They serve nasi campur with quite various options on dishes. Like other warungs, the price I'll say start from 20k, then it depends how many dishes you take.

Warung Jawa Echo (Jalan Canggu Raya, Canggu)

This warung is located in front of Indomaret (mini market) right before the intersection of jalan Pantai Batu Bolong. This warung opens 24hours. They serve nasi campur but my favorite dish at this warung is their grilled chicken or in indonesian called ayam bakar. For 18k, you'll get your ayam bakar with rice. Always delicious!

Warung Yess! (Jalan Pantai Pererenan, Canggu)
If by chance, you want to visit Pantai Pererenan(Pererenan Beach) for surfing or riding horses(yes they do it here), and the lunch time comes, try this warung on the left side of Jalan Pantai Pererenan, not far after the intersection with jalan Sempol. They have good options on vegetables and meats and some western choices on their menus. The service, the price and portion are just right!

Apart of these warungs I wrote above, there are still many other nice warungs in Bali. Most of the time, they don't really have names. The warungs which are owned and managed by Javanese usually are called Warung Banyuwangi. Banyuwangi is the name of a city, a crossing point from Java to Bali actually. But fun fact, on Java, these Warung Banyuwangi are called Warteg or Warung Tegal which is also a name of city in East Java. 

Well I hope this post can be helpful for those who don't really know yet which warung to go. For foreigners with rather sensitive stomach, please make sure to ask to the waitress before they put the dishes on your plate if the dish is pedas (spicy) or not. If they say yes or sedikit which means 'a little', better not taking it. 'A little' to them could be 'a lot' to certains. And yes... avoid samba!!! You're just not ready for that yet!

Enjoy the sunny life of Bali, folks!