Guling Samsam Merekak

Down a narrow road in Mengwi—where parking takes a bit of maneuvering—sits a heavyweight champion of Balinese babi guling. Pork purists make the trek specifically for the samsam. Think rolled pork belly, aggressively seasoned with rich local herbs, roasted until the meat is outrageously succulent. The real draw? That intensely crackling skin. Merekak translates to crunchy, and the kitchen absolutely delivers on that maximum kriuk. Those chasing the island's best crackling point to this original pioneer as the absolute gold standard. Grab a plate of the signature porchetta alongside their smoky urutan sausage and a bowl of savory balung soup. The dining space is rural, deeply peaceful, and completely unpretentious. Cheap, fiercely authentic, and entirely unforgettable.