Babi Guling Ibu Oka

Babi Guling Ibu Oka is the name most visitors know when it comes to babi guling, the Balinese spit-roasted pig that is one of the island's signature dishes. Indonesia's official tourism site lists it among the places to try the dish in Bali and notes that it is popular with both local and international visitors. Ibu Oka now has three branches: the address listed by the official tourism site on Jalan Suweta, a busy central branch on Jalan Tegal Sari and a third on Jalan Raya Mas, south of town. The central locations make it easy to fit into a morning of sightseeing.

For babi guling, a whole pig is marinated with traditional spices and roasted until the skin turns into crisp crackling and the meat is tender. At Ibu Oka it is served the classic way, with rice, lawar, a Balinese mix of chopped vegetables and meat, and sambal, the local chilli relish. The nasi babi plate brings together a little of everything, including pork, sausage, crackling and vegetables, and is the obvious choice for a first visit. The menu also includes special and pisah versions of the plate, plus blood sausage and pork soups.

This is a simple local eating house rather than a restaurant in the formal sense, and it works on Balinese time. The pig is roasted each day, and when it has gone, service ends, so it is best to come for an early lunch rather than in the afternoon. The dish itself is the whole point of a visit, and the short menu means ordering is simple even on a first visit.

Prices are low, making this one of the most affordable well-known meals in Ubud; the official tourism site gives a range of roughly 30,000 to 80,000 rupiah per serving, though prices can change. The menu is pork-based, so it is not suitable for vegetarians or anyone who does not eat pork. The sambal is served as part of the plate, so taste it before adding it to everything if you are not used to chilli.

Ibu Oka suits curious eaters, budget travellers and anyone keen to try a dish that is closely tied to Balinese culture. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Being in central Ubud, it combines easily with a morning visiting Ubud Palace, the Ubud Art Market, Pura Taman Saraswati or Museum Puri Lukisan.