Discovering the Culinary Delight of Ibu Oka in Bali
Location of Warung Ibu Oka
Warung Ibu Oka is situated in a quaint, open-air setting opposite the Ubud Royal Palace. The layout features a kitchen at the southern end and dedicated dining spaces, including a raised platform with low tables for floor seating and a lower section with round tables, plastic chairs, and umbrellas.
Opening at 11:00 a.m., the restaurant awaits the arrival of the first of six whole roast pigs, which arrives atop a motorcycle. The establishment operates until 6:00 p.m.
It is important to note that Ibu Oka specializes exclusively in Bali’s famed babi guling: served on paper plates, the succulent pork pairs perfectly with boiled white rice, zesty vegetables, and blood sausage.
The complete dish is referred to as babi guling spesial (“special roast pork”, IDR 55,000, or approximately $3.75). This meal offers the most delectable parts of the pig, featuring a crisp skin that complements the rich, fatty pork meat, alongside steaming rice, savory blood sausage, and spicy vegetables.
Babi Guling: the Star of the Show
While it may not be visually appealing in the way Western meals are plated, babi guling epitomizes Balinese soul food, combining a satisfying mix of rice, meat, and aromatic spices.
The flavors meld in your mouth akin to a melodious gamelan orchestra: the crispy crackling juxtaposed with the fluffy rice, the coarse texture of blood sausage contrasting with the buttery, tender pork.
This roast pork is prepared away from the restaurant. To create babi guling, the whole carcasses are stuffed with a medley of herbs and spices from a secret family recipe, likely comprising galangal, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic. The stuffed carcasses are then roasted on a skewer, turning slowly over an intense fire for several hours until achieving a deep, rich brown color.
The prized crisp skin is a highlight among babi guling enthusiasts, but it is the tender, seasoned meat that makes this dish substantial and memorable, having absorbed the secret spices during the cooking process, resulting in flavors that literally melt in your mouth.
Ibu Oka, A Family Affair
Established in 2000, Ibu Oka has a rich history. The family behind this culinary gem has prepared babi guling for the Ubud royal family, and upon gaining permission to offer their exquisite dish to the local populace, they transitioned into a market stall, later evolving into the current restaurant.
The family adheres to traditional methods, initiating their day at dawn by preparing the pigs to be roasted. As described by a food blogger, “The roasting occurs adjacent to Agun’s residence, where approximately six pigs are roasted daily, with greater quantities on festive occasions. Agun credits the traditional wood roasting technique for the pig’s intense flavor, which requires significant heat to achieve the perfect skin crispiness.”
This genuine approach ensures that visitors to Warung Ibu Oka indulge in a hand-crafted taste of authentic Balinese culture, one that is still untainted by Western influences.
Warung Ibu Oka Branch 1: Jalan Tegal Sari 2, Ubud, Bali (Google Maps)
Branch 2: Jalan Raya Teges, Ubud, tel: +62 361 976 345
The main branch of Ibu Oka is conveniently located in Ubud’s town square, just across from the Royal Palace and in close proximity to the Ubud art market and Museum Puri Lukisan.
