Warung Guling Pak Made: A Babi Guling (Roast Suckling Pig) Brand from Bali With a Branch in Batam (Indonesia)
If the Philippines has lechon (roast suckling pig), then Indonesia, particularly Bali, has Babi Guling.
Babi guling is a Balinese delicacy that’s served during special occasions but is also widely available in warungs or local eateries. (You may be wondering why there is this delicacy in a Muslim-majority country. That’s because Bali is predominantly Hindu.)
To prepare the suckling pig, it is first seasoned with a Balinese spice mixture called bumbu. Then the pig is placed on a pole, roasted over an open fire, and constantly rotated either by hand or by a machine (babi guling literally means “rolled/turned pig/pork”) until its skin reaches an amber color. It is usually served with rice and other side dishes, such as Lawar (a vegetable side dish), Sambal Matah (a condiment made with shallots, chilies, and other aromatics), and Sate Babi (pork skewers).
There are many warungs in Bali offering this delicacy. One is Warung Guling Pak Made, which has expanded to Jakarta and (thankfully!) Batam.
We got the Nasi Samcan Guling Kumplit, which has nasi (rice) and the following components:
Samcan Guling (roasted pork belly similar to porchetta): It’s fatty, juicy, and very tender, covered in an herby sauce.
Kulit Babi Guling (skin of babi guling): It’s crunchy.
Sate Ayam (chicken skewer): It’s sweet and tender. The taste is near Filipino barbecue.
Kulit & Lemak Goreng (deep-fried chicken skin): It adds crunch to the dish.
Daun Ubi (cassava leaves): I think it’s cooked in coconut milk because it tastes like laing, a Filipino dish made of taro leaves cooked in coconut milk.
Sambal Andaliman (green chili condiment)
Sambal Matah: It’s refreshing and has a nice lemongrass flavor.
Kerupuk Babi (deep-fried pig rinds): It also adds crunch to the dish.
Sup Kaldu Babi (pork bone soup): It has five-spice flavors, so it’s not for me.
We also tried the Nasi Samcan Crispy. While it’s crispy and tender, we didn’t expect it to have five-spice flavors, which we don’t like. LOL.
We love crispy chicken skin so we got an extra Kulit & Lemak Goreng. You can’t go wrong with this one.
To wash off all the babi guling, we had the Lemon Tea, which is refreshing.
Honestly, I’m still getting used to the flavors of babi guling and the sides that go with it. I hope to try it in Bali next time.
Anyway, if you’re in Batam and would like to try this Balinese delicacy, then head over to Warung Guling Pak Made. I recommend it to you!
P.S. I’m still Team Lechon! LOL.
Warung Guling Pak Made
Address: Nagoya Newtown Blok B 6-7, Lubuk Baja Kota, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia | Operating Hours: Daily, 10:30AM-10PM | Contact No.: +62 813-7333-9335 | Instagram