Nasi Campur Guide | Understanding Bali's Favorite Lunch

Nasi campur is Bali's everyday lunch - a plate of rice surrounded by small portions of different dishes. Here is everything you need to know about this essential meal.

Nasi campur literally means "mixed rice" and it is the everyday lunch of Balinese people. A mound of steamed white rice sits at the center of the plate, surrounded by 5-8 small portions of different dishes - each one showcasing a different flavor, texture, and cooking technique.

A typical Balinese nasi campur includes: shredded chicken or pork in spice paste, lawar (mixed salad), sate lilit (minced meat satay), vegetable curry, fried tempeh or tofu, sambal (usually matah or goreng), kerupuk (crispy crackers), and sometimes a hard-boiled egg or fried fish.

The beauty of nasi campur is that every vendor makes it differently. The dishes reflect the cook's specialties, seasonal ingredients, and regional traditions. This is why locals often have a favorite nasi campur warung and will travel across town for their preferred version.

How to eat it: Mix small amounts of each dish with rice on your spoon (or eat with your right hand, traditional style). The key is getting a bit of everything in each bite - the different flavors and textures should complement each other on your palate.

In our Balinese Cooking Class, you learn to make several dishes that commonly appear on a nasi campur plate. By the end of the class, you will have the skills to assemble your own nasi campur at home.