Babi Guling Ibu Oka
When I was doing research on what to eat in Bali, one restaurant always seem to pop up and that is this little restaurant in Ubud that sells Babi Guling (Roast Pig). Indeed, it seemed to be the undisputed, “come all the way to Bali must eat” dish. Not only must you try Babi Guling, but you must specifically try the Babi Guling Ibu Oka which is acknowledged even by the locals to be the best Babi Guling in Bali and indeed, the world.
Babi Guling Ibu Oka in Ubud is probably the most popular of all the babi guling places cooking up to six whole pigs a day. The owners speak English well there so I could ask a few questions about the process and the stuffing. Babi Guling Ibu Oka has shifted further down the street to a bigger compound in a typical Balinese setting. More seats! And looks like this. It’s not hard to find and friendly locals are always happy to show the way if you ask nicely. You’re in luck if you spot the whole roasted pig placed in front as it means there’s lots to go around. They usually go through about 4 to 5 pigs before they’re done for the day.
The place was packed with tourists from all over – Europeans, Americans, Chinese, Germans, Singaporeans, you name it. You can probably spot every nationality in there savoring the famous roast pig. Funny thing is, there are not much local people patronizing this place. I guess it’s kind of over-rated for locals which prefer to other authentic babi guling shops with less crowd. Most locals coming in was to take-away.
Yande suggested we order the babi guling special (special suckling pig) which have more flesh since we were starving from our volcano hiking excursion earlier in the morning.
A portion of Nasi Babi Guling Special consists of steaming hot rice, with a huge chunk of tender, succulent, melt in your mouth pork, along with its crunchy skin with other accompanying side dishes on a wax paper lined wicker basket. The flesh is so tender that it can be pulled from the bone and made all the more tasty and flavourful by the secret blend of Balinese spices. The other side dishes of long beans cooked with Balinese spices and coconut, blood sausages, crispy pork cracklings, and some other unidentifiable bits. Definitely one of the best meals in Bali.
