pigging out in bali

On the plane ride to Bali, Indonesia, my companion J told me, "We must go to the place where Bourdain ate roast pork."

He was referring to Anthony Bourdain, celebrated chef and author of the bestseller, Kitchen Confidential. Bourdain once featured the tropical island of Bali in his Travel Channel show 'No Reservations' and one of the segments was on the local eatery called Ibu Oka (below).

The place specialized in 'babi guling' (below): tender, succulent slices of roast pork and crunchy pork skin served over rice with a savory sauce made with shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, and chili. Tucked underneath these was a slice of freshly-cooked blood sausage and deep fried pork cracklings. Yum.

There was nothing else for us to order but second and third helpings – and we did!

So just how good was it?

Let me quote Bourdain: "OK. No question about it. This is the best pig I've ever had. Absolutely, the best. I mean is there anything more beautiful? Do you think that even the finest French chef could ever come up with anything as delicious or as beautiful as this? I think not. It's the mountain-top of pork. And I am there."

J and I had to rent a car and travel 50 kilometers to Ubud, Bali just to try Ibu Oka's famous pig. But it was definitely worth the trip... and the calories! :-D

(Top) The Year of The Pig Bearbrick, produced for the Hong Kong Bearbrick Fan Club, was released at the 9th Hong Kong Comics Festival in 2007.

Info from: elmomonster.blogspot.com / www.travelchannel.com / Pics by Yours Truly