Wen's Delight: Ibu Oka, Ubud

Aug 11, 2012

Ibu Oka, Ubud

Day 2 (Part 4) - 26th Aug 2011

Babi Guling (roasted pig) is a Bali's national dish and is a must try when you are here. Ibu Oka in Ubud has become tourists favourite babi guling store after it was highly recommended by celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain. Since we were nearby so there's no excuse not to check it out. It is located near to Ubud market. After touring Ubud market, we had an early lunch at Ibu Oka to stay away from the lunch crowd.

Ibu Oka, Ubud is well known for serving authentic Balinese's style babi guling. Very popular among the locals too.

Nasi Babi Guling Special (Rp33,000) - Rice served with a piece roast pork skin, roast pork, fried innards, blood sausage and vegetables cooked in coconut sauce.

The rice was drizzled with the sauce made from roast pig stuffing. Though the sauce is warm but the rice is too cold for our liking. We finished the pork and skin but left the fried innards and sausage untouched. When I saw the sausage on the plate, the scene at market popped out on my mind...lol.

Kulit (Rp44,000) - Roasted pork skin can be ordered separately depend on availability. The pork skin was not as crispy as expected though it had the cracking texture. Very different from our Chinese version of suckling pig where the skin is crispy and melt in the mouth.

Daging Babi Guling (Rp44,000) - We had a plate of additional pork to share. We preferred the pork than the skin. Tasty with the spicy sauce.

Babi Guling - Pig stuffed with lots of herbs and spices, tied up and roasted over a coconut hust charcoal fire until meat is tender and the skin is crispy and golden.

The skin was carved out with a sharp knife and set aside. The stuffing reserved for making the sauce and meat will be de-boned and chopped up to serve.

Overall was a good meal but not a really fantastic and best meal in Bali. We find that the place was way too over rated. However it's an amazing experience to see the roast pig and how they carved it up. Our driver told us he will bring us to his favourite babi guling store where mostly visited by the locals. Looking forward...