Jen Bali has seen many, many changes since we were there in 2016 so in republishing this post, I want to make it clear that these particular restaurants might have changed. That said, my contacts and my allergy notes have not, so please feel free to reach out before you visit.
Bali was one of those lucky countries which has not yet been hit with an influx of severe food allergies and the most common response we received after sharing my note (which include “I will die” twice) locals confirmed their understanding that the translation of the word allergy by nodding in acknowledgment and making a scratching motion to confirm my note meant “you will itch”. This is where my fiance developed an adorable and embarrassing habit of acting out the international choking symbol. Effective (although probably not still necessary in Canada….)
When we spent time with our bilingual, very fluent host he explained that peanut allergies, and food allergies in general were not at all typical in Bali, and that he and his colleagues had only heard of a milk allergy.
That in mind, and after having met a girl with a milder allergy and several reactions, I clung to my bag full of the quickly depleting Milo bars I had brought from Australia, I recorded several items I ate in Bali with a peanut allergy. Keeping in mind I was 5’4″ 110 lbs I would recommed ordering the same safe meal in triple the quanitity.
Day One:
- Milo milk
- Milo bar
- Nachos from Mexican place (Holy Guacamole -Kuta)
- Pringles
- Half block of cheese from an Indomart
- Watermelon… jack-o-lantern style (this is another example of where those camping untensils come in handy)
Day Two:
- Other half block of cheese
- Milo bar
- 2 oranges
- Pica South American Kitchen (Parm scallops and empanadas)
Day Three:
- Soft Boiled eggs and toast at our Bungalow in Ubud
- Fruit
- Cool coffees and tea
- Milo bar
- Young coconut & meat
- Barcelona Tapas (potato tot things, garlic prawns and seafood paella)
- Frozen yogurt
Day Four:
- Elephant park* buffet (scrambled eggs, and about 7 crescent rolls)
- Mamma Mia’s Italian Ubud (ravioli)
- Bintang Beer
*never go there….
Day Five:
- Banana Crepe
- Shin bowl instant noodles
- Toro Sushi Ubud (very familiar with peanut allergies.. Miso soup and soy sauce was potentially not safe)
Day Six:
- Boiled eggs and toast
- Milo bar
- Corn on the cob
- Gloria Jean’s fettuccini (Canggu)
- Fabulous Greek salad (BOBs bistro)
Day Seven:
- Surf Café (Kuta) (onion rings quesadilla)
- Capil Beach Grill & Bar in Seminyak We had pizza and 10 rip-off nachos at this pricy joint. Do not plan a trip to Asia with a Peanut allergy and not expect to pay a premium for food – regrettably, no street vendors or mom and pop stops are part of this cultural experience
Day Eight:
- Fran’s Bread rolls (brand)
- Dutch cookies
- Roasted Corn (sold on the beaches)
- Susheria
The NEW Problem with Eating Cheese for Nut Allergies.
This used to be my go-to travel solution. I went to Bali with the backup plan of buying cheese at grocery stores for survival, naively not considering this might have been a nation still relying on daily food markets rather than supermarkets and refrigeration.
Due to the many new Vegan Cheeses on the market, it is no longer safe to simply opt for a block which you do not recognize.
The Flight
Cheese from a indomart in Kuta. I had Mcdonald’s in Dubai which is something I would never do now — it was safe and I had always wanted to try any international Maccas but it was unwise to eat anything unknown before a transatlantic flight
EDIT: In recent years I’ve found it unwise to eat anything I didn’t pack from home after leaving my house and until well after I land.
