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Balinese Cuisine · STREET-FOOD · BALI

Sate Ayam

Char-grilled chicken skewers in rich peanut sauce

Explore the Dish 
Sate Ayam — a classic Balinese dish
Meal time Snack, starter or meal
Origin Indonesia, nationwide
Street price 12,000–30,000 IDR (≈₹65–₹165)
Spice level Mild
Vegetarian No (meat/fish)

What Is Sate Ayam?

Sate ayam is Indonesia’s classic chicken satay: marinated chicken threaded onto bamboo skewers, char-grilled over coals, and served with a thick, sweet-savoury peanut sauce, kecap manis, and a scatter of fried shallots. Smoky, sticky and satisfying, it is a universal crowd-pleaser.

The peanut sauce (bumbu kacang) is the heart of the dish — ground roasted peanuts loosened with sweet soy, a little chilli and lime. Lontong (compressed rice cake) or steamed rice rounds it into a meal.

Found at street carts, warungs and restaurants across Bali, sate ayam is a safe, familiar and delicious choice for travellers of every age.

History & Origins

Satay spread across the Indonesian archipelago through trade, with regional peanut and soy variations. Sate ayam became one of the country’s most beloved street foods and a fixture of Bali’s warung scene.

  • Spread Satay traditions develop across Java and the archipelago
  • Everyday Sate ayam becomes a nationwide street-food staple, including in Bali
  • Today A familiar favourite from carts to restaurants island-wide

How to Eat It

  1. Dip or drizzle the skewers in peanut sauce
  2. Add kecap manis and a little sambal to taste
  3. Eat with lontong (rice cake) or steamed rice
  4. Squeeze lime over the top for brightness

When Ordering

  • “Sate ayam, sepuluh tusuk” = ten chicken skewers
  • “Pakai lontong” = with rice cake
  • “Bumbu kacang” = peanut sauce

Where to Eat It

Top Spots

Street satay carts at night

📍 Denpasar / Kuta

Charcoal satay carts grilling to order — smoky and cheap.

₹80–₹180 street ★ Authentic

Warungs & food courts

📍 Island-wide

Reliable plates of sate ayam with peanut sauce and rice.

₹120–₹250 warung ★ Reliable

Restaurants

📍 Seminyak / Ubud

Polished sate ayam as a starter or main with refined peanut sauce.

₹250–₹450 restaurant ★ Tourist-friendly

Price Guide

Venue Type IDR USD (approx.) INR (approx.)
Street cart / warung 12,000–30,000 IDR $0.8–$1.9 ₹65–₹165
Local warung (sit-down) 36,000–54,000 IDR $2.2–$3.4 ₹200–₹300
Mid-range restaurant 60,000–96,000 IDR $3.8–$6.0 ₹335–₹535
Hotel / tourist restaurant 105,000–180,000 IDR $6.6–$11.2 ₹585–₹1000

Vegetarian & Dietary Notes

Tempeh satay with the same peanut sauce is a common vegetarian substitute at many warungs and vegetarian restaurants.

“Sate tempe pakai bumbu kacang” — tempeh satay with peanut sauce

Jain note: Balinese cooking uses garlic, shallots and shrimp paste (terasi) widely. Jain travellers should ask for dishes without onion, garlic and terasi — easiest at vegetarian warungs in Ubud.

Tips for Eating Sate Ayam

  • Sate ayam is one of the most kid-friendly Balinese dishes.
  • The peanut sauce can contain nuts — obvious, but important for allergies.
  • Charcoal carts at night offer the smokiest, most authentic version.
  • Order with lontong for a more filling meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Char-grilled marinated chicken skewers served with a sweet-savoury peanut sauce and kecap manis.

Mild by default — heat is added via sambal. The peanut sauce is sweet-savoury.

Yes — the peanut sauce is peanut-based. Avoid if you have a nut allergy.

Yes — sate tempe (tempeh satay) with the same peanut sauce is common.

Sate ayam is skewered chicken with peanut sauce; sate lilit is Balinese minced, spiced satay wrapped on lemongrass.

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