Bali is overwhelmingly Hindu. In heavily Muslim areas of Indonesia pork is generally avoided, and in Buddhist and Christian parts that don't have as many religious restrictions, no meat stands out like pork does in Bali.
Since cows are considered sacred in Hinduism beef is not that popular in Bali. Pork dishes, though, are popular all over the island.
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One of most famous and delicious pork dishes is suckling pig (babi guling), which is celebrated around Bali. Different areas offer different versions, and different restaurants offer different recipes. One restaurant mightadd crispy fried pork while others add pork sausage (urutan) or pork skin crackers (kerupuk).
In general,a babi guling dish includes meat, skin, sate, vegetables, soup, and rice.
Below are the top 5 babi guling destinations around Bali:
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1. Babi Guling Candra, Denpasar
Located in the centrer Bali's capital,Babi Guling Candra isalegendaryrestaurant. Acomplete portion contains pig intestines and tongue, but if you're a bit squeamish you can ask for justmeat, both sate tusuk and sate lilit.Vegetables, soup and crackers all come with it. You can find Babi Guling Candra at Jalan Teuku Umar 140, just north of the Simpang Enam roundabout in Denpasar.
2. Warung Babi Guling Sari Dewi Bp. Dobiel, Nusa Dua
If you're in southern Bali, go to Dobiel. Some people say this restaurant has the best babi guling. A serving gets you standardpork meat, crispy fried pork, sate tusuk, lawar and a largesoup portion. Find Babi Guling Sari Dewi Pak Dobiel at Jalan Srikandi 9 in Nusa Dua.
3. Karya Rebo, Jimbaran
Jimbaran may be famous forits seafood,but onJalan Toyaning 1, just by the road fork at Benoa Square in Kedonganan, you can find another culinary claim to fame. The meat and soup here areless Balinese, technically, since they use less herbs, but if you arenttoointo heavy spices, this one is worth a try.
4. Warung Babi Guling Dayu, Kuta
Warung Dayu serves sate tusuk with red sauce, boiled cassava leaves, crispy fried pork and pork skin crackers. Also try the famous kuah balung (pork soup) as an alternative or addition to the babi gulingmenu. If you dont mind eating hawker food and sitting outdoor, you gotta try Dayu atJalan Kuta Raya 5, just after the temple by the road fork at theKuta traditional market.
5. Bu Oka restaurants, Ubud/Gianyar
A legendary spot in Gianyar, Bu Oka now has three branches: one in Mas village (at the main road Jalan Cok Rai Pudak) and two in Ubud (Jalan Suweta 2 and Jalan Tegal Sari). It serves babi gulingwith squash, pork sausage (whichcontains blood), fried innards, crispy skin and crackers. Ask for an additional portion of their famous crispy fried pork meat (gorengan) and your meal in Ubud would be perfect!
You can sweat it out at your next Ubud yoga session. ;)