Bali Asli: A Culinary and Cultural Adventure in East Bali

Bali Asli is a restaurant and cooking school located in the hills of Karangasem, East Bali, offering immersive adventures that combine traditional Balinese cuisine, local culture, and breathtaking views of Mount Agung. Founded by chef Penelope Williams, the venue operates with a strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Restaurant Overview

At its core, Bali Asli follows a farm-to-table philosophy—an approach that shapes every aspect of its culinary adventure. The restaurant sources all ingredients from local markets, nearby farms, the sea, and its own on-site garden. This not only ensures peak freshness but also strengthens the surrounding community and honors traditional agricultural practices. No imported goods are used, and modern kitchen equipment is intentionally replaced by wood-fired mud brick stoves and age-old tools that preserve the authenticity of Balinese cooking.

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Meals are served Megibung-style, a traditional form of communal dining rooted in East Bali’s royal customs. The menu changes daily, guided by what’s in season and available that morning. Instead of printed menus, guests receive a curated tasting adventure that tells a story of place, culture, and ritual through food. This deep connection to land and tradition makes dining at Bali Asli not just a meal, but a meaningful cultural adventure.

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Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Agung, the restaurant’s open-air pavilion and bamboo architecture blend seamlessly with the landscape. Guests enjoy more than just the flavors of Bali—they become part of a living, breathing culinary tradition that respects nature, empowers locals, and celebrates heritage.

Cultural Encounters

Short sessions of cultural and culinary immersion

Jamu and Other Magical Potions

• Rate per person: 353,000 IDR
• Start Time: 10 AM
• Finish Time: 12:00:PM

This culinary adventure will spark your interest in natural remedies. You’ll explore the plants and spices Balinese people use for traditional potions, learning about their medicinal and magical properties. You’ll also create your own “Jamu” to sample, and enjoy homemade fruit ciders, juices, and beers with a stunning view. Stick around for lunch if you like!

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The Spirits of Bali

• Rate per person: 353,000 IDR
• Start Time: 10 AM
• Finish Time: 12:00:PM

Get up close to the Balinese spirits in a unique way. Learn to craft some of Bali Asli’s signature cocktails, made with naturally fermented and locally distilled alcohol. Some are made in-house, while others come from nearby village families. You’ll create three popular drinks (or non-alcoholic options, if you prefer) to enjoy with a beautiful view. Feel free to ask the team if you'd like to stay for lunch before you leave.

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Mantra, Dance and Balinese Stories

• Rate per person: 529,000 IDR
• Start Time: 2:30 AM
• Finish Time: 4:30 PM

Dive into Balinese culture with a walk through the villages to the Dukuh Lontar cultural center, where you’ll learn to etch palm leaves with the ancient “Aksara” script while enjoying traditional “Geguritan” story songs. Have fun dressing up and learning classic dance moves. We’ll treat you to home-roasted Balinese coffee or Indonesian tea and Karangasem-style sweets. Afterward, walk back to Bali Asli, or extend your cultural adventure with dinner at the local night market with our staff!

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Bali Asli's Cooking Classes

A full day of adventure, cooking, eating and cultural learning

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A Day in the Village

Step Through the Looking Glass

• Rate per person: 1,292,500 IDR
• Start Time: 8:00 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

The trekking guide will take you through the village of Pangi, offering a glimpse into Balinese daily life and stunning views of rice fields, the ocean, and volcanoes. Enjoy morning tea and learn about the ancient "Aksara" script at the village Lontar museum. Afterward, wander through the rice fields back to Bali Asli for a traditional Megibung lunch or to begin the cooking class.

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A Day in the Life of a Balinese Lady

To Market To Market to Buy a Fat Pig

• Rate per person: 1,292,500 IDR
• Start Time: 8:00 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

Help carry the shopping, sample fresh produce, and soak in the lively atmosphere of the local market. Afterward, return to Bali Asli to learn how to prepare traditional flower offerings, "canang," before cooking lunch using authentic techniques and equipment.

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Bali Asli's Culinary Tours

A full day of adventure riding in interesting vehicles

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Bali Asli VW Convertible Tours of Karangasem

• Rate per person: 1,500,000 IDR
• Start Time: 8:30 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

Experience a full day of cultural discovery and scenic views in Bali, all from the comfort of a vintage Volkswagen safari convertible. Here's the itinerary:

• Relax in the back of a chauffeur-driven vintage Volkswagen safari convertible with the top down.
• Visit the Puri Agung in Amlapura for an exclusive tour of the royal family’s home, built during Dutch colonial rule.
  Explore the Dukuh village Lontar museum and cultural center, where you’ll learn to etch on dried palm leaves and take home your creation.
• Sip freshly brewed Balinese kopi and sample traditional morning tea.
• Visit an incense maker, see how hand-crafted aromatic sticks are made using natural scents like cinnamon, sandalwood, and cloves.
• Head to Tirtagangga, the Royal swimming gardens, and wander around the crystal-clear pools.
• Visit Taman Ujung water palace, where the Royal family hosted guests during times of war.
• Return to Bali Asli for a traditional Balinese lunch after a day of exploration.

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Mountain Top Sunrise in a Topless Jeep - (From 8:30AM to 2:00PM)

An early bird catches the sun!

• Rate per person: 1,100,000 IDR
• Start Time: 8:30 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

It’s an early start at 4:00 am, but totally worth it! You’ll be picked up in a convertible four-wheel drive and taken up the steep road to the East wing of Lempuyang mountain. After catching your breath and enjoying a stunning view of the sun rising over the sea, with Renjani Volcano on Lombok in the distance, your guide will prepare breakfast. After sunrise, head to Amed for snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. The day ends with a traditional Balinese Megibung feast at Bali Asli.

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Hiking, Biking and Walking Culinary Adventures

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Culinary Street Food Adventures of Amlapura

Eat dinner with the locals when you sample the delicacies from the street stalls and night markets in Amlapura town. A food enthusiast’s dream!

• Rate per person: 470,000 IDR
• Start Time: 4:30 AM
• Finish Time: 8:00 PM

Start your evening at Bali Asli with homemade cider and local snacks on the balcony as the sun sets behind Mount Agung. Then, venture down to Amlapura to explore the vibrant street vendors and experience the diverse, fascinating culinary scene. This adventure offers an authentic taste of Eastern Balinese local fare, enjoyed safely while eating and drinking directly from the street stalls.

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The Holy Hike of the East

So much more than just a hike through the jungle

• Rate per person: 1,158,000 IDR
• Start Time: 8:00 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

Lempuyang Temple, meaning "the highest lantern," is one of Bali's most sacred temples, perched atop Belibis Mountain at 1,058 meters above sea level. The journey to the temple takes about 2.5 hours, winding through misty ancient pandan forests, vanilla vines, native orchids, grassy paths lined with lemongrass, and steep rocky tracks.

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Once at the summit, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of the Karangasem Valley, the ocean, and Mount Agung, Bali’s famous volcano. After enjoying morning coffee and jajan cakes, you'll enter the temple, where a priest will bless you with holy water collected from bamboo near the temple.

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The descent takes you down 1,700 steps, passing sacred temples and spiritual sites. Afterward, you’ll be picked up and driven to Bali Asli, just 15 minutes away, for a well-earned Megibung lunch, served in the style of the Royal Family of Karangasem.

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Biking from the Mountain to White Sand and Virgin Beaches

• Rate per person: 893,000 IDR
• Start Time: 8:00 AM
• Finish Time: 2:00 PM

The biking guide, Pak Mudi, will drive you up to the small villages at the foot of Mount Agung. After mounting mountain bikes, you’ll glide (mostly downhill) along a mix of dirt tracks, bike trails, and sealed roads. Enjoy breathtaking views as you ride through rice fields, snake fruit forests, and small towns, making your way to White Sand Beach. Once there, cool off in the crystal-clear ocean and enjoy a traditional “Bungkus” Balinese picnic lunch prepared by local beach warungs.

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Cultural and Environmental Values

At its core, Bali Asli is a celebration of Balinese tradition, sustainability, and community. Every detail—on the plate, in the classroom, and throughout the space—reflects a deep-rooted commitment to preserving local culture and protecting the environment.

• Farm-to-table as a way of life - All ingredients at Bali Asli are sourced locally—grown in nearby gardens, harvested from East Bali’s seas, or bought fresh from village markets. This reduces the carbon footprint and supports local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. What you taste is always fresh and reflective of what the land and sea offer that day.
• Authentic Balinese cooking techniques - Meals at Bali Asli are prepared using traditional tools like wood-fired stoves, bamboo steamers, and volcanic stone grinders. These tools are essential for developing flavors and preserving cultural rituals, not just for nostalgia. The recipes followed in the cooking classes and meals are passed down through generations, keeping Balinese culinary traditions alive.
• Cultural immersion through experience - At Bali Asli, guests don’t just cook—they experience Balinese life. From market trips at dawn to preparing ceremonial offerings, every moment is part of a larger cultural story. Classes like A Day in the Life of a Balinese Lady and Mantra, Dance and Balinese Stories merge cooking with local customs, giving visitors a deeper cultural understanding. Guests leave not only with recipes but with a rich insight into Balinese traditions and values.
• Sustainable architecture and operations - Bali Asli's restaurant is thoughtfully constructed using local, renewable materials like bamboo, alang-alang grass, and natural stone, creating a deep connection to its environment. The open-air design not only eliminates the need for artificial cooling but also minimizes environmental impact by reducing energy consumption. Set on a hillside with panoramic views of Mount Agung and surrounding rice fields, the space blends seamlessly with nature, offering a tranquil, eco-friendly dining experience.
  
• Education and cultural preservation - Bali Asli’s classes and tours focus on cultural storytelling, helping guests grasp the deeper meaning behind each ingredient and ritual. The restaurant preserves not only recipes but the cultural values and traditions of Bali, offering a true taste of the island’s heritage.

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What Guests Are Saying: Reviews of Bali Asli

Bali Asli has earned rave reviews from food lovers, culture seekers, and travelers alike. Here’s what people are saying about their unforgettable adventures at this unique restaurant and cooking school:

• Authentic Balinese Experience
  "If you want to experience the true heart of Bali, Bali Asli is the place to go. The cooking class was hands-on and fun, but what really stood out was how much we learned about Balinese culture and its connection to food. We even made offerings and learned local customs—this wasn’t just cooking; it was an immersion."
  – Sophia T., Australia
  
  
• A Beautiful, Soulful Location
  "The view from the restaurant is breathtaking, with Mount Agung standing tall in the background. The entire dining adventure was beautiful—not only was the food incredible, but the atmosphere felt so genuine and peaceful. I loved how they use local ingredients, and the dishes were so vibrant and fresh."
  – Marc J., USA
  
  
• Family-Friendly and Fun
  "I took my two kids to the cooking class, and it was such a great experience for all of us. They were able to get involved in cooking, and the team made the whole adventure engaging for them. Plus, the food we made was absolutely delicious. This is an adventure I’ll treasure forever."
  – Emily R., United Kingdom
  
  
• A Journey Into Balinese Culture
  "This was one of the most authentic cultural experiences I’ve had. The market tour, the traditional cooking techniques, and the chance to interact with the locals made this adventure truly special. Bali Asli brings you closer to Bali in a way no other place can. Highly recommend it!"
  – Tom H., Canada
  
  

Conclusion

Bali Asli offers more than a meal—it delivers an authentic and educational adventure that connects visitors to the people, landscape, and flavors of East Bali. It is an ideal destination for travelers seeking to learn through taste, hands-on practice, and local immersion.

To book your culinary or cultural adventure at Bali Asli, visit their website or contact them at:

• Visit: www.baliasli.com.au
• Email: enquiries@baliasli.com.au
• WhatsApp: +62 82236909215