Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EAT YOUR WORDS
Although you won't find the language much of a barrier, see the Language
chapter (p373) for pronunciation guidelines.
LOMBOK'S SPICY FLAVOURS
The Sasak people of Lombok are predominantly Muslim, so the porky plethora found on Bali
gives way to a diet of fish, chicken, vegetables and rice. In fact, rice here is of the finest quality,
yet the drier climate means that sometimes only one crop can be produced a year. The fact that
lombok
means chilli in Indonesian makes sense, as Sasaks like their food spicy;
ayam taliwang
(whole split chicken roasted over coconut husks served with a peanut, tomato-chilli-lime dip) is
one example.
Sares
is a dish made with chilli, coconut juice and banana-palm pith; sometimes
it's mixed with chicken or meat. Three vegetarian dishes are
kelor
(hot soup with vegetables),
serebuk
(vegetables mixed with grated coconut) and
timun urap
(sliced cucumber with grated
coconut, onion and garlic).
For an exhaustive
run-down of eating
options on Bali, check out
www.balieats.com. The
listings are encyclopaedic,
although criticism seems
to exist only for places
that have closed for
competing media.
Useful Phrases
Here are some handy phrases that will help you enjoy a meal in Bali and on
Lombok.
Where's a…?
…
di mana?
food stall
warung
night market
pasar malam
restaurant
rumah makan
Can I see the menu, please?
Minta daftar makanan?
don't eat them at home. Even common favourites will taste different in Bali,
especially when compounded with a hot, sticky climate, so patience and
kindness are the keys for a bonding, stress-free family experience.
HABITS & CUSTOMS
It is not customary for the Balinese to talk while eating. I remember in the
early days with my husband, eating meal after meal in silence, thinking how
rude he was. In the meantime, he was thinking that when you give a West-
erner a plate of food, they never stop talking. We eventually understood each
other and now we sometimes eat in silence or talk softly while eating. If you
wish to eat in front of a Balinese, it is customary to invite them to join you,
even if you know they will say 'No', or you don't have anything to offer.
Remember, it is not a custom for Balinese to complain in restaurants and
flexibility is the key to a happy holiday. If there is something you don't like
about a meal, you can deliver a message much more effectively in Bali if it
is done in a polite manner.
Balinese are formal about behaviour and clothing, so remember that it isn't
polite to enter a restaurant without a shirt on, or eat a meal half-naked, no
matter how many muscles or piercings you have. And while its OK to chomp
on your food while eating, blowing your nose at the table is quite offensive.
The right hand is the hand that gives and receives good things. It is the
symbol of Brahma, the creator. The left hand is the hand that deals with
unpleasant sinister elements. The tradition in local restaurants is to eat your
meal with your right hand, thus explaining the bowl of water that is served
with all Indonesian dishes (licking your fingers is not appreciated).
It is customary to wash your hands before eating, even if you choose to
eat with a spoon and fork; local restaurants always have a sink outside the
restrooms to lather up before the feast.
If you happen to be drinking coffee with a Balinese person, don't be
surprised if they tip the top layer of their coffee on the ground. This is an
age-old protection against evil spirits.
If you're invited to a Balinese home for a meal, it's OK to say you don't
want second helpings or refuse food you don't like the look of. It's customary
for Balinese to insist you eat more, but you may always politely refuse!
COOKING COURSES
It is said that the cuisine of a region always offers insight into the culture.
When I first moved to Bali, I recorded Balinese recipes at ceremonies and
Do you have a menu in English?
Apaka ada daftar makanan dalam baasa Inggeris?
I'm hungry.
Saya lapar.
I'll try what they're having.
Saya mau masakan seperti yang mereka pesan.
Not too spicy, please.
Kurang pedas.
There are many interesting
drinks you can try in Bali.
One of my children's
favourites is avocado
milkshake with chocolate.
I like it hot and spicy.
Saya suka masakan pedas.
I don't eat…
Saya tidak mau makan…
chicken
ayam
fish
ikan
meat
daging
milk & cheese
susu dan keju
pork
daging babi
poultry
ayam
seafood
makanan laut
Thank you, that was delicious.
Enak sekali, terima kasee.
The bill, please.
Minta bon.
You must not speak
harshly of anything that
lives in the rice fields,
including ducks, eels,
frogs and rats. Rice is
the sacred grain and any
creature that lives in
these verdant fields must
be treated with respect.
Do you accept credit cards?
Bisa bayar dengan kartu kredit?
Do you have a highchair for the baby?
Ada kursi khusus untuk bayi?
I'm a vegetarian/I eat only vegetables.
Saya hanya makan sayuran.
Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
Apakah ada makanan nabati?
Does this dish have meat?
Apakah masakan ini ada dagingnya?
Can I get this without the meat?
Bisa minta masakan ini tanpa daging?
What's that?
Apa itu?
Can you please bring me
Bisa minta… (lagi)?
(some/more)…?
chilli sauce/relish
sambal
beer
bir
a napkin
tisu
pepper
lada
soy sauce
kecap
a spoon
sendok
