Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village

Balikaru Cooking Class – Discover Bali’s Flavours and Traditions

Spend a day in the heart of Bali’s countryside and experience authentic village life surrounded by lush rice terraces and tropical greenery near the majestic Mt. Batukaru.

Your experience begins in a small mountain village, where you’ll take a leisurely walk along the rice terraces. Your local guide will introduce you to exotic plants, herbs, and fruits that flourish in this fertile region. If you’re lucky, you might spot a farmer ploughing the fields with his water buffalo—an ancient Balinese tradition still alive today.

At Balikaru, a warm welcome before you start the day with the gentle sounds of Rindik, a traditional bamboo instrument that you can try yourself. Then follow your guide through the Balikaru Herb & Spice Garden, where you’ll discover how tropical plants are used not only in Balinese cooking but also in traditional medicine.

Next, dive into the world of Jamu, Indonesia’s ancient herbal elixir. Using age-old family recipes, you’ll prepare two different kinds of Jamu with traditional utensils—each with its own flavor and healing purpose. Taste your creations and learn how these natural tonics are still part of daily Balinese life today.

Now it’s time to head to our Paon Bali, the open-air kitchen where your hands-on cooking adventure begins. Under the guidance of our Balikaru chef, you’ll chop, grind, and stir a range of authentic dishes, each rich in local spices and aromas. There’s plenty of fun as you prepare Sate Lilit at the live bamboo grill, called Gerobak, and learn to make Lak Lak, a traditional Balinese dessert cooked in a clay pot. You’ll create and enjoy a variety of dishes such as:

• Beras Kencur—Indonesian herb drink
• Jamu Kunyit Jahe Asam—Turmeric-Ginger-Tamarind juice
• Base Genap – Balinese spice paste
• Sambal Mbe & Sambal Matah – Balinese chili condiments
• Tum Ayam—Chicken with herbs, steamed in banana leaves
• Sate Lilit—Minced chicken satay, grilled at traditional Gerobak
• Tempeh Kecang – Crispy tempeh in sweet soy sauce
• Sayur Urap – Vegetables with coconut and herb paste
• Sayur Paku – Balinese fern dish
• Traditional Balinese desserts—Lak Lak or other seasonal surprises

After all your efforts, sit down and enjoy the feast you’ve prepared yourself—a home-cooked Balinese lunch served in our peaceful Warung Balikaru.
After lunch, your experience continues with a glimpse into daily village life. Try planting rice alongside local farmers, visit the Balikaru farm to meet ducks, geese, and our gentle cow Manis, and discover the stingless Trigona bees, whose honey is known for its unique flavor and health benefits.

End the day with a relaxed village walk downhill, surrounded by beautiful views of the mountains and traditional Balinese homes. Learn about architecture, feng shui, and everyday life in the countryside before returning with lasting memories.

Don’t forget a farewell photo with the Balikaru family—a wonderful reminder of your day in the heart of Bali. Your certificate and recipe collection will be sent to you after your visit, so you can recreate a little piece of Bali back home.