Betutu facts for kids
![]() Bebek betutu served with rice and green beans
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Course | Main course |
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Place of origin | Indonesia |
Region or state | Bali and Lombok, Nationwide |
Serving temperature | Hot or room temperature |
Main ingredients | Roasted chicken or duck in spices |

Betutu is a famous dish from Bali, Indonesia. It is made from chicken or duck. The meat is either steamed or roasted. What makes Betutu special is its rich bumbu betutu, which is a special mix of spices.
This very flavorful and spicy dish is popular in Bali and Lombok. You can find it all over Indonesia. Sometimes, there is an even spicier version. This one uses a sauce made from raw onion slices, red chili peppers, and coconut oil.
Betutu is often named after its main ingredient. For example, ayam betutu means chicken betutu. Bebek betutu means duck betutu. This traditional meal is served in fancy hotels and restaurants in Bali. Many tourists love to try it.
What Makes Betutu So Flavorful?
The word betutu actually refers to a special spice mix. This mix is called bumbu betutu. It includes many ingredients. Some of these are shallots, garlic, and turmeric. It also has ginger, wild ginger, and galangal. Other spices are candle nuts, chili peppers, and shrimp paste. Peanuts are also part of the mix.
All these ingredients are ground into a fine paste. People use a mortar and pestle to do this. Then, the spice paste is cooked with coconut oil. This helps to bring out its amazing smell. After that, the spice paste is put all over the chicken or duck.
Betutu is often served with other tasty dishes. These can include plecing kangkung, which is a vegetable dish. Crispy-fried peanuts are also a common side. Another popular side is sambal terasi, a spicy chili sauce.
How Betutu Changes Across Bali
In Bali, the taste and cooking style of Betutu can be different. It depends on where you are on the island.
- In Klungkung, the chicken is stuffed with the betutu spices. This means the spices are put inside the chicken.
- In Gianyar, the betutu is cooked wrapped in a plantain leaf. This method gives it a unique flavor.
- In Gilimanuk, the betutu is known for being very hot and spicy. If you like a lot of heat, this is the place to try it!