Best Street Food In Ubud To Savor

Think Ubud is all yoga mats and upscale cafes? Think again.

Step off the beaten path, wander past temples and rice terraces (stepped fields that glow emerald at sunrise), and you’ll catch smoke, spice, and sticky-sweet treats on the breeze. Ever follow a scent straight to the source? You will here.

This short guide points out five street-food classics so you’ll know what to order, where to line up, and when to taste them for the best flavor.

Babi guling (crispy roast pork). Look for the spit or a pile of carved meat at dawn or during celebrations. The skin should crackle and the spice rub should sing, pure bliss.

Nasi campur (mixed rice). A little of everything on one plate, rice, veggies, a spoonful of sambal. Best at a busy warung (small local eatery) where dishes are fresh and plates get refilled fast.

Sate lilit (fish-and-spice skewers). Fragrant, slightly sticky, and grilled over coconut-charcoal smoke. Try them hot off the grill from a street stall in the evening.

Pisang goreng (fried banana). Crunchy outside, molten sweet inside. Perfect as an afternoon snack from a market cart.

Dadar gulung (pandan pancake). Thin green pancakes rolled around sweet coconut. Look for vendors folding them by hand, light, floral, and utterly comforting.

Bring a curious appetite and let your nose lead. Small stools, big flavors. Enjoy.

Top 5 Must-Try Street Foods in Ubud: Quick Guide & Deep Dive

A quick map to Ubud’s best bites. Short, tasty, and ready to eat while you wander. Ever dreamed of grabbing a snack between temples and rice paddies? Right here.

• Babi Guling – Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka (where to eat authentic balinese food in ubud) – 25,000-50,000 IDR – 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
• Nasi Campur – Local nasi campur stalls (Pasar and Jalan Raya vendors) – 15,000-30,000 IDR – 7:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Sate Lilit – Sate lilit carts near Jalan Raya Ubud and market corners – ~10,000 IDR per skewer – 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
• Pisang Goreng – Market and street vendors around Ubud Market – 5,000-15,000 IDR – 7:00 AM-10:00 PM
• Dadar Gulung – Sweet pancake stalls at the market and food carts – 5,000-15,000 IDR – 9:00 AM-8:00 PM

Babi Guling – Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka

This is the place for crispy pork skin and bold spice blends. Babi guling (suckling pig carved to order) is a Ubud classic. Lines start forming by mid-morning, so aim to arrive when the doors open or around 10:30 AM if you want a full plate. The warung (local eatery) has simple tables and about 40 seats, cozy and lively. Takeaway is fast if you’d rather eat in a nearby park.

Little tip: bring small bills and be ready to point at the display plate you want. Weekday lunch means fewer tourists and a quicker seat. If you want more background, check where to eat authentic balinese food in ubud.

Nasi Campur – Local Nasi Campur Stalls

Nasi campur (mixed rice with small side dishes) is everywhere in Ubud. Think of it as a little tasting menu on a plate, rice with a few different sides so you can sample flavors. Stalls near the market are speedy and often the freshest. Seating ranges from plastic stools to shared benches; some spots have backyard views over rice terraces (stepped fields that glow emerald at sunrise).

Best times: late morning for the most choices, or early evening when cooks put out heartier dishes. Cash only at most stalls, and a busy line usually means tasty food.

Sate Lilit – Grilled Balinese Skewers

Sate lilit is minced fish or meat wrapped around lemongrass sticks (a natural skewer that smells amazing on the grill). It’s aromatic, a little smoky, and best eaten hot. Grills are small so expect a 10-15 minute wait if you order a handful of skewers, worth it.

Evenings are magical when the air fills with grilling scent. Try it with a squeeze of lime and a dab of sambal (chili paste) for brightness. Many people walk while they eat. Casual. Perfect.

Pisang Goreng – Fried Banana Fritters

Pisang goreng (fried banana) is a simple joy, crispy outside, warm and sweet inside. Best eaten straight from the fryer when the batter still crackles. Vendors usually wrap them in paper so you can stroll and snack. Seating is rare, so plan to eat standing or find a low wall to perch on.

If texture matters to you, buy pieces made to order. Afternoons are popular with locals, but early evening often brings the freshest batches.

Dadar Gulung – Sweet Coconut Pancakes

Dadar gulung are thin pandan pancakes (pandan is a fragrant leaf) rolled with sweet grated coconut. Delicate, fragrant, and just a little chewy. Most stalls make small batches so wait times are short and you’ll often get one warm.

Perfect mid-afternoon treat when you need a sweet pause. They travel well, so tuck one into your bag and keep exploring Ubud’s food stalls. Pure bliss.

Navigating Ubud Street Food Hubs

The best clusters of Ubud food stalls gather around Pasar Makanan Ubud (food market) , check the ubud market , and stretch along Jalan Raya Ubud (the main road through Ubud). Early vendors start as soon as 7:00 AM, filling the air with sizzling, sweet and spicy aromas. The Ubud night market runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM nightly, perfect for wandering and tasting.

Think of your walk in time blocks. Morning at the market for nasi campur (mixed rice plate) and pisang goreng (fried banana). Midday along Jalan Raya Ubud for sate lilit (minced seafood satay) and fresh smoothies. Evening at the night market for murtabak (stuffed savory pancake) and grilled corn. Pay attention to stall hours so you don’t miss specialties that sell out fast.

Most stalls prefer cash, so bring small bills to make payments quick and polite. A steady line is a good rule of thumb for freshness. Seating varies from plastic stools to shared benches, so wear comfy shoes and be ready to stand while you eat.

Quick hygiene check: look for clean cooking surfaces and covered ingredients. For a relaxed pace, sample one small dish per stop and sip water between tastes, that way your palate stays happy and you can try more. Pure bliss.

Budget-Friendly Eats on Ubud’s Streets

• Bakso (meatball soup) – 20,000-30,000 IDR. A steaming bowl from a street cart warms you on a cool morning, the broth gently bubbling and calling you over. Look for vendors with a steady local line; that’s your best sign. Cash only, tiny stools. Ever wondered why everyone queues? It’s usually that good.

• Mie Goreng (fried noodles) – 15,000-25,000 IDR. Wok-tossed, garlicky noodles with crisp vegetables and a fried egg on top. Grab a spot at a cramped stall counter around the market and watch the cook flip everything with a big metal spatula. Ask for less chili if you’re easing in.

• Nasi Goreng (fried rice) – 20,000-30,000 IDR. Fried rice served with your pick of sides, egg, shredded chicken, or tempeh (fermented soybean cake). Mid-morning vendors often have the widest selection, so that’s a good time to go. Sit on a plastic stool, watch the cooks work, and let the smell fill you up.

• Tempeh & tofu snacks – 10,000-20,000 IDR. Crisp tempeh and golden tofu, lightly spiced and portable, perfect for nibbling between temple visits (temples are small Hindu shrines). Vendors often wrap them in banana leaf or paper. Try them hot, straight from the fryer. Pure bliss.

• Jagung Bakar (grilled corn) – 10,000-15,000 IDR. Charred, buttery corn sometimes topped with cheese or spice, simple and satisfying. Evening carts along Jalan Raya (main road) or beach-style stalls sell the best char. Buy one while you wander the night market and munch as you stroll.

Vegetarian and Vegan Street Food Options in Ubud

Warung d’Carik

Warung d’Carik is a cozy warung (small family owned restaurant) tucked just outside downtown among rice terraces (stepped fields that glow emerald at sunrise). The menu leans on tempeh fritters (fermented soybean cake), crispy tofu bites (soybean curd), and vegetable mie goreng (stir fried noodles) brightened with lime and a spoonful of sambal (spicy chili paste). You’ll taste home cooking, clean, a little tangy, and comforting.

The place feels calm. Wooden tables, a gentle garden breeze, and warm smiles make it easy to slow down. Go in the afternoon or early evening when the cook puts out fresh batches. Seating is casual , backyard benches and shaded tables , so be ready to share a table or wander to a quiet path by the paddies with your plate. Weekdays are peaceful. Weekends fill up with locals and there’s often a short, friendly line.

Bamboo Spirit Vegan Buffet

Bamboo Spirit Healing Center in Penestanan (a quiet village near Ubud) hosts a weekly Sunday vegan buffet from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. It’s donation based and offers both raw and cooked Balinese dishes. Expect sprightly salads, spiced tempeh salads, coconut based curries, and bright bowls of sweet fruit. The portions feel mindful and the flavors are simple and honest.

Arrive around noon for the widest selection and a relaxed vibe. It’s an easy walk from the Campuhan steps (a popular riverside trail) so you don’t need a car. Bring a small cash donation, grab a plate, and linger under the open sky. The open air dining feels meditative and friendly. Ever tried a vegan Balinese buffet? It’s a lovely pause.

Ubud Street Food Hubs , Quick Practical Tips

• Babi Guling (Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig): grab a plate by 10:00 to 10:30 or it’s often gone.
  We raced to the stall and snagged the last crispy bite at 10:15. Totally worth it.

• Bring a lightweight jacket for cool mornings.
  The air can be sharp and fresh; my jacket kept me cozy while I sipped warm ginger tea. Nice start to the day.

• Come when the grills are first lit for the freshest skewers (satay).
  We arrived as the embers glowed. Smoke, spice, and the very best first rounds.

• Carry water and wet wipes for quick refreshes between stalls.
  A sip and a wipe and you’re ready for the next sample. Simple, clean, happy stomach.

• If you’re short on time, map two nearby stalls per hour so you don’t backtrack.
  Two spots within a block meant more flavor and less walking. Smart and satisfying.

• Pick the busiest carts , long lines usually mean fast turnover and hotter, fresher food.
  The crowded grill gave us plates that arrived hot and bright. Go where the locals go.

Check vendor tables for stall hours. Those listings are the best source for exact opening and closing times so we don’t repeat them here.

Final Words

Step into Ubud’s street-food lanes where the five must-try dishes steal the show. Babi Guling at Ibu Oka, Nasi Campur bowls, Sate Lilit skewers, crispy pisang goreng, and sweet dadar gulung, each listing gives vendor, price range, and hours.

You’ll find maps of hubs like Pasar Makanan and Jalan Raya Ubud, wallet-friendly picks, and clear vegetarian options. Practical tips cover vendor hours, cash habits, wait times, seating, and ideal arrival windows.

Taste your way through these lanes and you’ll soon see why locals smile. The best street food in Ubud is waiting.

FAQ

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