Ibu Oka Warung In Ubud Bali has affordable babi guling
Out of all the warungs (small family-owned eateries) we visited in Bali, Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3 was by far the most unique one. This famous warung in Ubud specialises in only one thing: babi guling, AKA suckling pig.
Babi guling is a popular traditional dish that comprises a whole pig stuffed with turmeric, lemongrass, black pepper, and garlic, then roasted on a spit over an open flame until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. As this isn’t a very common dish in Singapore, you should definitely try it while you’re in Bali.
Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3 is located on a narrow path off the main street where Puri Saren Royal Palace is at. Once you’re on this walking path, you’ll find yourself in a residential area where large vehicles are unable to enter. Here, you may also come across a few locals who would try to offer you ride-hailing services or usher you to another eatery––simply tell them you’re looking for Ibu Oka Warung, and they’ll kindly show you the way!
Once you enter the warung’s premises, you’ll notice that part of the restaurant faces a majestic rainforest, while the back section is housed in a lush garden surrounded by parrots, squirrels, and koi fish. More interestingly, this garden seems to be part of a hidden backyard shared among three to four houses. You’ll even be able to peek into some of the houses and watch the locals go on about their day as you enjoy your meal.
The babi guling AKA roast pork here is relatively affordable and is available a la carte (IDR65K/~$5.85) or as a set (IDR75K/~$6.77). We opted for the set meal, which came with the meat, a selection of Balinese spices, blood sausages, crispy pork skin, as well as a bowl of pork broth and steamed rice.
The meat here is tasty and succulent, and I can easily discern the earthy notes of base genap, a spice mix paste that’s commonly used in many Balinese dishes. It’s also topped with sambal matah, a Balinese raw chilli paste, which gives each bite an extra spicy kick.
The star of the dish is definitely the roasted pork skin, which is crispy and crunchy with every bite. If you’d like, you can also add a spoonful of green chilli onto the skin to cut through its fatty flavours.
The a la carte portion and set meal only comes with two to three small pieces of pork skin. If you’d like to have more, you can order additional Pork Skin for IDR60K (~$5.41). This gets you five huge pieces of pork skin, each as big as your palm.
Although this was my first time trying blood sausage, I found myself enjoying the unique delicacy quite a bit. It’s salty with a bit of sweetness and has a mild metallic aftertaste. The texture is different from regular sausages as it’s more gamey, and the minced meat within falls apart more easily.
If these flavours are too overwhelming for you, cleanse your palate with the comforting pork broth that’s filled with chunky boiled potatoes. The soup is very flavourful and can be savoured on its own or enjoyed with the white rice.
For more good food in Ubud, check out our Ubud food guide for the best warungs, cafes, and restaurants in the area. If you’re looking for more roast pork to try, check out Chin Lee Restaurant, which offers Teochew-style roasted suckling pig and famous orh nee.
Address: Jalan Tegal Sari Nombor 2, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 6pm
Website
Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka 3 is not a halal-certified eatery.
Bali Ubud Food Guide: 11 Places To Dine At Including $4.50 Vegetarian Buffet And Work-Friendly Cafes
Photos taken by Yi En Chew.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg
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