Traditional Balinese Plant-Based Cooking Class

An immersive farm-to-table experience where you forage for organic ingredients before cooking a traditional 5-course feast over a wood fire

Hosted by Pemulan Bali Farm Cooking School | Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a dream destination for conscious travellers, and immersing yourself in its rich culinary heritage is one of the best ways to connect with the local culture. The Traditional Balinese Plant-Based Cooking Class offers an incredibly authentic, hands-on experience that takes you far beyond the usual tourist trail. Hosted in a beautiful local village, this immersive farm-to-table workshop is a phenomenal addition to the Eat Plants & Travel directory for anyone wanting to learn the secrets of traditional Indonesian flavours in a completely vegan setting.

The experience begins long before you step into the kitchen. Guests are guided through a lush local organic farm to forage for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Your knowledgeable host will teach you how to identify native herbs, spices, and exotic vegetables that form the foundation of Balinese cuisine. Walking through the vibrant gardens and gathering your own produce creates a deeply mindful connection to the food you are about to prepare.

Once back at the traditional open-air pavilion, the real magic begins. Under the expert guidance of local chefs, you will learn ancient cooking techniques, including how to prepare complex spice pastes using a traditional mortar and pestle and how to cook over an authentic wood fire. The class culminates in the creation of a spectacular five-course plant-based feast. After the hard work is done, you sit down with your fellow travellers to enjoy the vibrant, flavourful dishes you have crafted together. Delivering incredible local insights, sustainable practices, and unforgettable food, this workshop is an absolute highlight for any Bali itinerary.

What to Expect

This is a fully immersive, half-day adventure that connects you deeply with the land and local culture:

• The Market & Farm Tour: Start your morning by foraging through Pemulan's organic farm. You'll pick fresh turmeric, lemongrass, exotic mushrooms, and vibrant tropical vegetables directly from the earth.

• Mastering the "Basa Gede": The foundation of Balinese cooking is the complex spice paste known as Basa Gede. You'll learn the rhythmic art of grinding fresh spices using a traditional volcanic stone mortar and pestle.

• Wood-Fired Cooking: Step up to traditional wood-fired stoves. Under the guidance of local chefs, you will prepare an elaborate 5-course vegan feast, including dishes like Tempeh Sweet Soy Sauce and traditional Jackfruit Curry.

• The Jungle Feast: Sit down in the stunning, open-air dining pavilion overlooking the jungle to enjoy the magnificent spread you just created, accompanied by fresh coconut water and local fruits.

Key Skills You’ll Take Home

• Spice Blending: The ability to craft complex, aromatic Southeast Asian curry pastes from scratch without relying on pre-made jars.

• Traditional Techniques: Knowledge of ancient, electricity-free cooking methods and how to balance fire heat.

• Tropical Foraging: An understanding of how tropical herbs and roots are grown and harvested.