It is not traditional for Balinese to eat together on a
day-to-day basis, as many other cultures do. This is partly
due to the way Balinese prepare their food. Balinese normally
eat only two large meals a day: lunch and dinner. Food is
nearly always cooked and is prepared early in the morning.
A typical Balinese family meal consists of a small amount
of spicy meat and vegetables, sometimes crackers and peanuts,
spoonfuls of super-hot chilli called sambal and a large amount
of white rice. Traditionally rice was eaten cold, but these
days most households have a rice cooker and or rice warmer,
keeping the rice nice and hot throughout the day. Once everything
is cooked and ready to eat, it is placed under covers and
left for the family to help themselves to as they please during
the day.
Most people choose to eat by themselves privately, sometimes
squatting in their bedroom or on the kitchen floor. They don’t
normally use any utensils, just their right hand because,
to quote Balinese friends, “It tastes better that way.”
If a guest arrives when a Balinese is in the middle of meal,
they will always look slightly embarrassed and immediately
offer you some food and insist you help yourself in the kitchen.
Food is always accompanied by a drink, nearly always room-temperature
water. Balinese generally don’t like to drink cold water
or ice water because they believe it gives them a sore throat
and makes them feel bloated.
The only times you will see Balinese eating together is at
public functions, at eating places such as warung and restaurants,
and at ceremonies. Otherwise, family members eat where and
when they feel like it.
For this occidental brought up with the tradition of eating
lunch or dinner at a fixed time, whether you’re hungry
or not, this new system is kind of refreshing. And because
no one’s watching, it also throws all table manners
out the window…sweet!
