There are really good ones, meaty ones, vegetarian ones and ones that have sat around a little too long. I’m talking about that Balinese classic combination dish, Nasi Campur ( pronounced champur). The dish consists of a central serve of rice, which is then surrounded by small scoops of other delicious morsels, along with two spicy sambals. To me, it’s Bali on a plate.
Some of the side dishes are spiced with basa genep, a paste unique to Bali. They may include long beans cooked with strips of tempe, curried tofu, grilled tuna, cucumber, stir fried spinach, lawar, tempe in chilli, beef cubes, chicken, sate lilit, pepes ikan, and more.
Two new warungs have popped up in the last two years in Sanur. Run by young staff, both are doing a roaring trade in day time nasi campur, catering to travellers who are keen to eat well on a budget, with their modern take on Balinese traditional classics. Warung Santai is now rivalling the very popular Warung Kecil. Both are tiny, though at Warung Kecil- kecil means small- with its tiny communal tables and benches, it is often too crowded at lunch time.
Warung Santai also offers a few western dishes as well as juices and coffee and does a separate Balinese dinner menu after 5.30 pm. They stock raw organic cacao and nut brownies from Ubud, as well as a few Western cakes.
We stuck to nasi campur and iced lemon tea, which comes in a tall glass with lots of ice and a side serve of palm sugar syrup. Our meal with drink came to around AU $4. This is not just cheap food, it is delicious, clean and filling and ideal for those missing their vegetables.
Warung Santai, 9 Jalan Tandaken, Sanur, Bali
Warung Kecil, Jalan Duyung No.1, Sanur, Bali
- A warung is small family-owned business, often a modest small restaurant. A warung is an essential part of daily life in Indonesia. In Bali, a warung will serve authentic Balinese food, usually at lower prices. Warungs used to look more funky and were often thatched huts along the road. These days, they are small modern shops that rely on fast turnover.
ALMOST ITALIAN 
I knew I shouldn’t have read this just before lunch! Looks amazingly delicious, and extremely good value! Thank you Francesca.
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I’m a fan. You have to be a little choosy about where you eat but I’d rather eat local (and cheap) – great for a late lunch so you can just snack at dinner.
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It all looks great….no lover of spicy, but I’d give it a go in Bali!
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Sitting in the airport in Rome reading your post and dreaming of Bali! Drooling just reading through the post. Your love of the country and its cuisine comes through loud and clear. Brava.
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oh no, does this mean you are leaving Bell’Italia Susan?
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sorry Debi- that was meant to say…. Debi. You are in Italy now?
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We are enroute to Pisa and from there to Garfagnana. So, it is rest and relaxation (and different and equally excellent Mediterranean food and wine) for a while. Still, your Balinese posts are addictive.
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Ah the Garfagnana, supremely jealous. Say hello to the Serchio and that blessed countryside for me.
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I am sitting on my balcony in Qld overlooking The Pacific rolling in. Grandkids and daughter are due to arrive. We’re going out to the club tonight for a pizza and wine with the kids and to listen to the band. Everyone is so happy – tomorrow Fish ‘n Chips just caught seated on the pier cafe with kids again overlooking Tweed River. So much warmer than Melbourne blowing my bronchitis away thank goodness. It’s nice sitting here reading about Bali and Italy. It takes me away.
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Looks delicious, my favourite way of eating, lots of tastes on a plate. You’re making my dinner tonight look banal. I think I’m going to pick your brain about Bali, your Bali…..
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do so, any time. Note- I never do posts on my fave hotels. If you need these clues, I shall pass them on via email.
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Bali on a plate! Looks yum .. And I haven’t even had brekky .. I could eat that right now 😄
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It is also a breakfast dish. Beats toast.
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Ha ha ..
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Your photos and description of the Nasi Campur make it so very appealing. I actually just checked to see if there were any good Indonesian restaurants nearby. (There are!) I’ve a couple friends who, like me, love to try new restaurants and cuisines. We’ve not tried Indonesian yet but I’ve a feeling we’re going to. Thanks, Francesca.
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I love that the cuisine culture is strong and hasn’t been eroded by cheap imported fast food… at least I hope that is the case.
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Delicious , thanks for visiting my country
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We all love your country.
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Thanks francesca 🙂
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