Bali is popular for images of pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and breathtaking temples. But Bali also hides a different kind of paradise, which is hidden away from the touristy bustle. It is Gianyar Traditional Market, a place where there is the scent of various types of foods and vendors calling out with cheerful energy.
This Gianyar traditional market, Bali’s nighttime culinary heaven serves food lovers an unforgettable culinary adventure with a taste of authentic Balinese food life. Bali travel vacation serves some Bali packages tour which you may choose.
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The Heart of Gianyar
Gianyar is a regency located about 20 kilometers from Ubud. This place has long been popular for its artistic roots, such as Balinese dances, carving traditions, and religious ceremonies.
Many travelers are now realizing that this place gives a treasure trove of culinary delights. This less crowded regency gives a more authentic and immersive experience where travelers can find traditional foods in their original form. Bali Travel Vacation with its Bali packages tour has Gianyar as its destination you may enjoy.
The Gianyar Traditional Market in daylight hours is full of activity, and after sunset, it transforms into a vibrant culinary street market. The daylight market bustles with people buying fresh produce, flowers, and daily necessities, while the night transforms into an entirely different crowd. Locals and travelers have one common purpose, namely to eat.
This traditional market is rich with a variety of traditional Balinese street food. This market is a great place to fill your stomach as well as to explore culture, tradition, and community through taste. Then, now it is becoming one of the island’s most talked about food tourism destinations.
This night traditional market is also known as Pasar Senggol Gianyar. Every evening, the streets transform into a traditional market with many food stalls offering their foods, such as sizzling grills and colorful desserts. There are some types of food you might find in this traditional night market.
Sate Lilit
This type of sate is certainly different from regular satay you may know. The main ingredient of this sate lilit is a dough consisting of fish or chicken, then mixed with other ingredients, namely grated coconut, and a blend of spices. One of the spices giving strong taste and flavor is lime leaves.
The next step is to simply wrap the dough around a bamboo stick or, often, lemongrass stalks. This stalk can give a special taste to the satay itself. After it is wrapped, then it is grilled over charcoal just like other satay. The taste is juicy and fragrant from the spices and skewer and also smoky as well as fresh.
Nasi Campur Bali (Balinese Mixed Rice)
This dish is perfect for a main course for one who wants to taste some types of food at the same time. It consists of a portion of rice and a mix of side dishes such as shredded chicken, sambal matah (raw chili relish), peanuts, and vegetables, and sometimes it is added with eggs or meat.
This dish may have a slight sameness with other dishes containing rice and other condiments. But this Balinese rice dish certainly has its differences and is unique. One of which is by its sambal matah, which is a sauce made from raw chili relish, creating a strong flavor of chili.
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Jajan Pasar (Traditional Sweets)
Every region has its unique traditional sweets, including Gianyar. The market in Gianyar is also home to many sweet treats. It may also offer some types of traditional cakes you can find in other regions in this country.
One of the popular traditional sweets in Gianyar is laklak. It is a green pancake made from rice flour and pandan leaves. On top, it is poured with grated coconut and melted brown sugar. There are also still many other traditional sweets you can buy and try while in Gianyar market.
Gianyar Traditional Market Has Food That Becomes a Window on Balinese People’s Lives
Food is not only a need to fulfill the hunger. In Gianyar traditional market, Bali packages tour served by Bali Travel Vacation including nighttime culinary heaven, food also reflects local rituals, community, and identity.
There are some dishes rooted in religious ceremonies. One of which is lawar. It is a minced meat and vegetable dish mixed with traditional and special spices. This food is commonly served during temple festivals and ceremonies.
The cooking methods used by food sellers also reflect their local traditions and beliefs. For example, vendors prepare dishes by cooking them in wood-fired stoves. Some foods are not wrapped using plastic but using banana leaves. They also blend the spices using a stone mortar and pestle. They believe that using these tools will create a more tasteful dish.
Some food sellers use their locally sourced ingredients. It means that they grow the plants organically in their surrounding hills and farms. Then, they will harvest the plants and use them as components in their dishes they sell.
They also promote sustainable tourism practices. One of which is the application of producing less food waste. They prefer to use banana leaves not only for wrapping the dish but also as their packaging. This is to minimize the use of plastics in their lives.
Local people support the existence of the Gianyar traditional night market by contributing in the market itself. So that this can create community-based tourism, which is tourism with local people management. The financial benefits can go directly to the people.
This community-based tourism has some benefits. This model can help preserve culinary traditions. It can also empower local families and encourage young people to stay and get involved in the market and this food business. So they can still stay in the region without seeking work in urban areas.
To enjoy the night at Gianyar Traditional Market, it is better to go after sunset, usually at around 6 pm. It is only about 30 minutes to get to Gianyar from Ubud by car or scooter. It is better to also prepare cash before reaching the market since vendors do not accept credit cards or other methods of digital payment.
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For those seeking to understand the authenticity of Balinese food and its culture, Gianyar traditional night market is a must-visit destination. It is a place where fast food chains and convenience meals dominate. The foods are served with the beauty of handmade and heart-made meals.
You can try to taste any kind of Balinese food in this traditional night market. You might also get experience in Gianyar traditional market, Bali’s nighttime culinary heaven through Bali Travel Vacation. You can get all information of Bali packages tour about exploring Gianyar and other part of Bali in the website.
