Quick answer
Bali is one of the easier Southeast Asian destinations for vegetarians. Tofu and tempeh are everyday staples, cafes in Ubud and Canggu are heavily vegetarian, and Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud have many Indian restaurants. The catch is shrimp paste (terasi) in sambal and some sauces, so ask. Jain food is possible with notice at Indian restaurants.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Gado-gado
Blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh and rice cake under peanut sauce. Ask for it without egg (tanpa telur) and without krupuk crackers, which are often prawn-based.
Tempeh goreng and tempeh manis
Fermented soybean cake, fried crisp or glazed in sweet soy sauce. High in protein and on almost every menu.
Tahu goreng
Fried tofu, often served with peanut or chilli sauce. Check that the sambal is made without terasi.
Sayur urab
Balinese vegetables tossed with spiced grated coconut. Some spice pastes include shrimp paste, so ask.
Nasi campur
Rice with several small sides, usually including chicken, fish and sambal with shrimp paste. Ask for a vegetable-only version with tofu and tempeh.
Nasi goreng and mie goreng
Fried rice or noodles, normally with egg and often shrimp paste. Tourist restaurants make good vegetarian versions; say no egg if you avoid it.
Babi guling
Spit-roasted suckling pig, Bali's signature celebration dish. Worth recognising so you can skip stalls that sell only this.
Bebek betutu
Duck slow-cooked in spices and banana leaf, another Balinese speciality.
Pisang goreng
Banana fritters, often drizzled with palm sugar. A cheap snack at warungs and beach stalls.
Klepon
Pandan rice-flour balls filled with liquid palm sugar and rolled in coconut. Egg-free.
Smoothie bowls and Buddha bowls
Ubud and Canggu cafes serve clearly labelled vegetarian and vegan menus, including plant-based versions of Indonesian dishes.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Saya vegetarian | I am vegetarian |
| Tidak makan daging, ayam, atau ikan | I don't eat meat, chicken or fish |
| Tanpa telur | Without egg |
| Tanpa terasi | Without shrimp paste |
| Tanpa bawang merah dan bawang putih | Without shallots/onion and garlic |
| Tidak pedas | Not spicy |
Is Bali easy for vegetarians?
Yes, easier than most of Southeast Asia. Tofu (tahu) and tempeh are everyday Indonesian staples, not specialty items, so even a basic warung can usually put together a vegetarian plate. Ubud and Canggu have a strong vegan cafe culture, with menus clearly marked. And because most Balinese are Hindu, beef rarely appears on local menus.
The thing to watch is hidden seafood. Sambal, the chilli paste served with almost everything, often contains terasi (fermented shrimp paste), and krupuk crackers are frequently made from prawn. Fish sauce turns up in some stir-fries. Ask for "tanpa terasi" and you'll usually be offered a different sambal.
Where to find Indian food in Bali
Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Ubud all have Indian restaurants, several run by Indian families, serving North and South Indian menus with clearly vegetarian sections. Expect ₹700–1,500 per person for a full meal. Jain meals without onion, garlic or root vegetables are possible at most of them with a few hours' notice. Some resorts popular with Indian travellers add poha, upma or parathas at breakfast; ask before booking if that matters to you.
What about eggs and Jain food?
Eggs are common in gado-gado, fried rice, noodles and many cakes, so say "tanpa telur" when ordering. For strict Jain diets, stick to Indian restaurants and cafes that cook to order, and carry a note in Indonesian listing what you can't eat. Most kitchens are happy to help once they understand.
Carry a small card that says "Saya vegetarian. Tidak makan daging, ikan, telur, terasi" (I'm vegetarian; no meat, fish, egg or shrimp paste). It works in warungs where English is limited.
Before you go, see the best time to visit Bali, the Bali trip cost for daily food budgets, and where to stay in Bali; Ubud and Seminyak have the most vegetarian choice. Entry rules are in the Indonesia visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can Jains eat well in Bali?
Is Balinese food spicy?
Is street food in Bali safe?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
