As a proud Balinese, I’m excited to share a piece of our vibrant culinary heritage with travelers visiting Bali, Indonesia. While souvenirs like batik or wood carvings are popular , chili sauce (sambal) and instant spices are unique, practical, and deeply authentic choices. These flavorful treasures capture the essence of Balinese cuisine, making them perfect for gifting or bringing Bali’s taste home. In this article, I’ll explain why these culinary souvenirs are special, share my personal experience using instant spices, recommend specific seasonings, compare paste and powder forms, and offer tips for buying them at local supermarkets and mini markets.
While I enjoyed the sweet romance and characters in "The Best Thing," especially the thoughtful gesture of "ganchao tea" (which is licorice root tea, 甘草茶), it sparked a different story in my mind: the fascinating and often overlooked world of Indonesian Jamu. Just as the drama has its own unique appeal, so too does this traditional herbal medicine, deserving of its own recognition. Perhaps, like the subtly sweet and potentially soothing qualities of licorice root tea offered with care, Jamu holds its own unique power to soothe, heal, and connect us to Indonesia's rich heritage.