Lombok ticks all the boxes for a dreamy Indonesian getaway. Lush green landscapes and volcanic mountains are ready for you to explore, and dazzling turquoise waters lap at idyllic beaches – it's a feast for the senses. But Lombok's charm goes beyond its stunning scenery.

Tuck into the Lombok food, and you're in for a real treat. From fiery curries to fresh seafood dishes, the food here is as captivating as the island. So, grab your swimsuit on an empty stomach and join us on a delicious adventure as we delve into some of the must-try traditional dishes in Lombok!

We're diving into some of Lombok's must-try dishes, so get ready for a flavour explosion with this Lombok food guide!

Google Review - Sate Rembiga Bandung

Lombok's Rembiga Satay is a culinary adventure for the brave of the heart. This beef satay dish is not for the faint of tongue, as it packs a serious punch of heat. But for those who love their food spicy, Rembiga Satay is an absolute must-try.

The preparation starts with marinating the beef in a simple blend of salt, pepper, and sometimes pineapple. But the show's real star is the marinade, a symphony of spices that will set your taste buds on fire.

It's a rich blend of shallots, garlic, shrimp paste, candlenuts, coriander, coconut milk, palm sugar, and the show's star: Lombok's notoriously fiery chillies.

Nasi balap, which translates to "racing rice," is a simple yet incredibly flavourful dish that's a staple of Lombok cuisine. This authentic food in Lombok consists of a generous portion of steamed white rice topped with spicy shredded chicken, fried soybeans, and signature sambal, all served on a banana leaf.

To add to the feast, crispy potato chips, stir-fried green beans, and a fried egg often join the party as side dishes.

Google Review - Ian Suhendra

The dish's star is a vibrant mix of cassava leaves or bilimbi leaves, bitter melon, long beans, bean sprouts, and purple and green eggplant. Usually, people gently boil and slice them thinly, creating a visually appealing and texturally delightful base.

Sometimes, slices of banana and unripe jackfruit join the party, providing a touch of sweetness and a delightful crunch. The crowning glory of this dish is the 'sambal pelalah', a thick coconut milk sauce that elevates the flavours of the vegetables.

Calling all spice lovers! Taliwang Chicken is one of the most popular dishes from Lombok. You can see how well they marinate the chicken in a special spice blend that packs a punch.

The chicken is then grilled to crispy perfection. Usually, you'll get the dish along with plecing kangkung (water spinach salad) and a refreshing terasi (shrimp paste) sambal to cool down the flames.

This dish, hailing from Central Lombok, is a true explosion of textures and tastes. Steamed rice serves as the base for a party of flavourful accompaniments. Shredded chicken, cooked with chillies, soybeans, and a sprinkle of dried shrimp, takes centre stage.

Some variations might include dried shredded meat or even a surprise element – fried eel! Occasionally, simple stir-fried vegetables like string beans join the party. It's a hearty and flavourful dish, perfect for those seeking a taste of local tradition.

Google Review - Intan Goyana

Hailing from Lombok, Beberuk Sambal is a unique dish that bursts with fresh and spicy flavours infused with the zesty aroma of lime. It's a symphony of raw vegetables, tomatoes, and spices, served chilled for an invigorating culinary experience.

To prepare this delectable treat, chop green round eggplants and long beans into bite-sized pieces. These raw vegetables are then combined with fresh sliced tomatoes, a tangy tomato sambal, and a sprinkle of salt.

Thanks to adding tomatoes, whether sliced or blended into a sambal, the result is a refreshing and slightly tangy concoction. The longer you let it sit, the more the flavours intensify, creating a delightful interplay of spiciness and freshness.

Bulayak Satay features skewered chunks of marinated beef or beef innards to juicy perfection. While it features the usual skewered meat, the show's true star is the 'bulayak', a wrapped lontong (rice cake). Typically, people use an aren or enau palm leaves.

The served peanut sauce is also different. It's made with roasted and ground peanuts, simmered in coconut milk with a blend of spices like coriander, cumin, shallots, garlic, pepper, coconut cream, candlenuts, chillies, and lime juice, resulting in a flavourful concoction. The peanut sauce has a curry-like taste with a distinct kick of spiciness, a true hallmark of Lombok cuisine.

Google Review - Amin Susiatmojo

Nestled in the heart of Desa Rarang, Lombok Timur, Rarang Chicken is a fried and grilled chicken dish. It is then cooked together with fiery chilli sambal. After a few minutes of simmering, the chicken emerges, and you're ready to savour it!

Google Review - Lukito Joko Septiono

To make this delightful Serabi Laklak from East Lombok, you'll need a batter made from rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar for the sweet version. Pour the batter gradually into a clay oven-like container. Then, use firewood to cook it, imparting a unique smoky aroma.

This East Lombok Serabi Laklak stands out from the crowd. It shuns artificial sweeteners, relying instead on the finest palm sugar to preserve its authentic taste. Of course, buying it ready-made is much easier, isn't it?

Google Review - Zaenul Azim

Save some room for dessert! Lupis Kludan is a delightful sticky rice cake. Steamed glutinous rice is filled with a sweet palm sugar filling and then coated in grated coconut.

The contrasting textures of the chewy rice cake, the soft, gooey filling, and the palm sugar sweetness make Lupis Kludan a truly irresistible way to end your Lombok culinary adventure.

Lombok's food scene is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Here are two insider tips to help you find the best food in Lombok on your trip:

Ditch the tourist menus! To truly experience Lombok's culinary delights, seek recommendations from locals. Use a translation app and browse online reviews or social media posts in Indonesian. This will lead you to hidden gems frequented by locals, where the most authentic flavours await.

Lombok is a predominantly Muslim island, so finding Lombok halal food is generally easy. However, if you have specific dietary restrictions or want complete peace of mind, don't hesitate to ask the restaurant owner directly. A simple "Maaf, apakah ini halal?" (Excuse me, is this halal?) will clear any doubts.

Lombok food is an exciting adventure for your taste buds. From fiery curries to smoky grilled meats and refreshing local snacks, there's something to spoil every palate. For more travel inspiration and to plan your unforgettable Lombok adventure, head over to Traveloka, get your ticket Melbourne to Lombok flight and get ready to experience the magic of Lombok!