Indonesian Street Food: 12 Snacks and Dishes to Try in Bali

The best Indonesian street food to try includes martabak, bakso, siomay, mie ayam, sate, gorengan, pisang goreng, nasi jinggo, lumpia, kue putu, es campur and roti bakar. Sold from carts, motorbikes and roadside stalls called kaki lima, Indonesian street food is cheap, fast and full of flavour. In Bali, you will find it at night markets, in front of temples and along almost every busy road, including in Ubud.

What makes Indonesian street food special

Street food is woven into daily life in Indonesia. Vendors push carts through neighbourhoods, ringing bells or knocking on bowls to announce themselves, and evening markets fill with smoke from charcoal grills.

Most Indonesian street food is cooked to order, so it is hot and fresh. It is also built on the same spice pastes and sambal that define home cooking, which is why a few snacks from a cart can tell you a lot about Indonesian flavours. Learn more about the Indonesian spices behind them.

12 Indonesian street foods to try

1. Martabak

Martabak comes in two very different versions. Martabak telur is a crisp, folded pancake stuffed with egg, minced meat and spring onion. Martabak manis, also called terang bulan, is a thick, fluffy sweet pancake filled with chocolate, cheese, peanuts or condensed milk. Both are classic late-night street food.

2. Bakso

Bakso are springy beef meatballs served in clear broth with noodles, tofu and fried shallots. Look for the carts with steaming pots, and add sambal, sweet soy and a squeeze of lime to taste.

3. Siomay

Siomay are steamed fish dumplings served with potato, cabbage, egg and tofu, all smothered in peanut sauce. It is a favourite afternoon snack across Indonesia.

4. Mie ayam

Mie ayam is a bowl of springy egg noodles topped with sweet, soy-braised chicken, greens and a side of broth. Simple, cheap and comforting, it is one of the most popular Indonesian street foods.

5. Sate

Skewers grilled over charcoal are everywhere. Sate ayam (chicken) with peanut sauce is the classic, while in Bali you will also find sate babi (pork) and sate lilit, minced fish or meat wrapped around lemongrass.

6. Gorengan

Gorengan simply means fried things: battered tofu, tempeh, vegetable fritters called bakwan, and stuffed tofu called tahu isi. Eat them hot with fresh green chillies on the side.

7. Pisang goreng

Pisang goreng is fried banana in a light, crisp batter. It is often eaten with coffee or tea, and sometimes topped with palm sugar, cheese or chocolate.

8. Nasi jinggo

Nasi jinggo is Bali's own street food: a small packet of rice wrapped in banana leaf with shredded chicken, noodles, tempeh and sambal. It is sold cheaply from roadside stalls, often late at night.

9. Lumpia

Lumpia are spring rolls filled with bamboo shoots, vegetables and sometimes egg or shrimp. They are served fried and crunchy or fresh and soft, usually with a sweet, garlicky sauce.

10. Kue putu

You will hear kue putu before you see it: the carts let out a high whistle as steam escapes. These small green rice cakes are filled with melted palm sugar and rolled in fresh grated coconut.

11. Es campur

Es campur means mixed ice: shaved ice with jelly, fruit, tapioca pearls, coconut and sweet syrup, finished with condensed milk. It is the perfect antidote to Bali's heat.

12. Roti bakar

Roti bakar is thick toast grilled with butter and filled with chocolate, cheese, peanut butter or kaya jam. Like martabak manis, it is a favourite after-dark snack.

Where to find street food in Bali and Ubud

• Night markets: Gianyar Night Market, a short drive from Ubud, is one of Bali's best-known spots for local street food in the evening.
• Warung and roadside stalls: small family-run warung across Ubud sell nasi campur, sate and gorengan throughout the day.
• Carts and motorbikes: bakso, siomay and martabak vendors move around neighbourhoods, especially in the evening.
• Temple ceremonies and festivals: food stalls often pop up outside temples during ceremonies.

Tips for eating street food in Bali

1. Go where the locals queue. A busy stall means fresh food and fast turnover.
2. Choose food cooked to order and served hot.
3. Carry small cash. Most vendors do not take cards.
4. Ask for less spice by saying "tidak pedas" (not spicy) if you are sensitive to chilli.
5. Be careful with ice and raw garnishes if you have a sensitive stomach.

Street food flavours, restaurant style, at Spice by Blake

If you love the bold, punchy flavours of Indonesian street food but want them in a relaxed restaurant setting, head to Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest in central Ubud. Chef Blake Thornley takes familiar Indonesian flavours and gives them a modern, playful twist, from chilli chicken noodles with Sichuan pepper and a crunchy duck nugget to wagyu beef rendang.

Can't decide? Order Feed Me, eight dishes across four courses chosen by the kitchen and shared by the whole table, for IDR 388,000++ per person. Spice also stays open late, so it is an easy stop for late-night food in Ubud. For more inspiration, read our guide to Indonesian dishes to try.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Indonesian street food? Bakso, martabak, sate, mie ayam and gorengan are among the most popular Indonesian street foods, sold from carts and stalls across the country.

Is street food in Bali safe to eat? Generally yes, if you choose busy stalls, food cooked to order and served hot. Travellers with sensitive stomachs may want to avoid ice and raw garnishes.

What is Bali's own street food? Nasi jinggo, a small banana-leaf packet of rice with chicken, noodles and sambal, is Bali's signature street food. Sate lilit and sate babi are also local favourites.

Where can I find street food in Ubud? Look for warung and roadside stalls around central Ubud, carts in the evening, and Gianyar Night Market a short drive away.

How much does street food cost in Bali? Most Indonesian street food is very affordable, often just a few dollars or less per portion.

Taste Indonesia in Ubud

From carts to restaurant plates, Indonesian street food is one of the best ways to understand the country's flavours. Explore the stalls, then taste modern Indonesian cooking at Spice by Blake on Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud.