The breakfast buffet is often a wonderful selection of your favorite foods, from fluffy pancakes to perfectly cooked eggs. But for the guest who loves food adventures, the real magic lies in discovering local morning traditions. At a great Bali hotel restaurant, the breakfast experience invites you to explore a whole new world of flavor.
While you will find all the classic foods you love at Merusaka Nusa Dua, we encourage you to start your day like a local. Let us introduce you to two main foods of a traditional Indonesian and Balinese breakfast. You can discover them right here at our buffet: the comforting, savory Bubur Ayam and the delightfully sweet Jaje Bali.
Breakfast Glossary: Your Guide to Local Flavors
- Bubur Ayam: A savory and creamy chicken rice porridge, very similar to congee.
- Jaje Bali: A colorful group of traditional Balinese cakes. Chefs usually make them with rice flour, coconut, and palm sugar.
- Kecap Manis: A thick, sweet Indonesian soy sauce.
- Gula Merah: The local name for the dark, aromatic palm sugar syrup.
The Comforting Start: A Warm Bowl of Bubur Ayam
Bubur Ayam is the ultimate Indonesian comfort food. It is the warm, savory, and deeply satisfying hug-in-a-bowl that locals have loved for many years. A simple base of creamy rice porridge transforms completely with a wonderful mix of textures and flavors piled on top.
What to Expect: The fun of Bubur Ayam is in building your perfect bowl. Start with the porridge. Then, add shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, fresh celery, salty fried soybeans, and a drizzle of kecap manis. It is often served with crunchy krupuk (crackers) for scooping.
Insider Tip: Do not hesitate to mix everything together! The combination of soft porridge with the crunchy, salty, and savory toppings is what makes this dish so delicious.
The Sweet Beginning: A Colorful Plate of Jaje Bali
If you enjoy a sweet treat, you will surely love Jaje Bali. This is not just one dish. Instead, it is a lovely group of assorted traditional Balinese breakfast cakes. They often get their color naturally from pandan or butterfly pea flower. They get their sweetness from coconut and palm sugar.
- What to Look For: Keep an eye out for these popular treats:
- Laklak: These are small, fluffy green pancakes made from rice flour. They are served with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated coconut and a drizzle of rich gula merah syrup.
- Klepon: Be ready for a tasty surprise! These chewy, green rice balls have liquid palm sugar inside. The sugar bursts in your mouth when you take a bite. They are all coated in grated coconut.
- Dadar Gulung: These soft, green, pandan-flavored crepes are gently rolled around a sweet and moist filling of coconut and palm sugar.
- Insider Tip: Jaje Bali are traditionally enjoyed with a cup of strong black coffee (kopi tubruk) in the morning.
Where to Find Your Balinese Breakfast Adventure
Ready to start your day like a local? The easiest and best place to explore these authentic flavors is right here at the resort.
At the Gading Restaurant’s big breakfast buffet, you will find a dedicated Indonesian and Balinese corner. Here, our chefs proudly prepare fresh, hot Bubur Ayam with all the traditional toppings. They also feature a daily changing selection of colorful Jaje Bali. It is the perfect chance for you to be adventurous and discover your new favorite Balinese breakfast dish.
