As a proud Balinese, I’m excited to share a piece of our vibrant culinary heritage with travelers visiting Bali, Indonesia. While souvenirs like batik or wood carvings are popular , chili sauce (sambal) and instant spices are unique, practical, and deeply authentic choices. These flavorful treasures capture the essence of Balinese cuisine, making them perfect for gifting or bringing Bali’s taste home. In this article, I’ll explain why these culinary souvenirs are special, share my personal experience using instant spices, recommend specific seasonings, compare paste and powder forms, and offer tips for buying them at local supermarkets and mini markets.
Apart from Galungan and Kuningan, Nyepi is the biggest celebration in Bali. You could say that the entire Balinese people take part in this celebration and many ceremonies are held to welcome Nyepi. We can also enjoy Nyepi preparations throughout Bali. Instead of using a general calendar system, Balinese people use the Saka calendar as a reference for determining holidays and good days.