Taste the ultimate spicy thrill at the home of the famed devil’s sambal in Bali
Some like it hot, others like it hotter, and there are those that like it devilishly hot- the kind you get at Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika. At the Bali rice restaurant, it's said they use at least 40 kilograms of chili peppers everyday to make their pride and glory – the devil’s sambal. Indeed, as their name Nasi Pedas means spicy rice.
And for the many spicy lovers across the country, queueing for hours is almost a daily activity.
The sambal’s different hues of red and luring smell of peppers will tempt your eyes and appetite
Well Bali is no stranger to spicy food. Every local dish in this tropical island comes paired with sambal. There’s a popular saying that most meals are considered incomplete without the company of sambal. Typically served as a supporting role to a dish, the devil’s sambal at Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika, however, is the main star.
The restaurant has a humble, no-frills vibe that is mostly packed during lunch time. In its essence, Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika is like your typical nasi campur joint. The side dishes are laid out behind a glass display, which makes it hard to not drool over the dishes. Patrons can pick and choose any dish they like and a waiter will help to plate your meal, topping it off with their legendary sambal.
Confused about side dishes? The two highly recommended side dishes at Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika are their crispy chicken intestines and crispy chicken skin. If those aren’t to your liking, the deep-fried golden goodness might just convert you. Hope luck is on your side because the two dishes run out the fastest.
If you love your side dishes crispy, you came to the right place. Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika offers a multitude of deep fried options. While most of the dishes are chicken based, you can still find your fish, beef, or even vegetarian options at the display. Thankfully they are served mostly as a stew or thin curry, so at least healthier choices are still available.
Be smart when picking your side dishes – the intestines add a good crunch while corn fritters and sweet beef floss are great spicy food buffers
Before the waiters slab a generous amount of sambal, be warned. The spiciness of this sambal is out of this world. Made with tomatoes, shrimp paste and a selection of chili peppers, a spoonful of this will have you wiping sweat off your forehead. And soon enough, wiping tears as you continue to chow through your meal.
So prep ahead and pack tissues. Order at least three glasses of ice cold sweet tea to calm you down. Or maybe even four, if it’s a hot day and the place is packed with other patrons sweating and tearing up.
Once you finish the struggle of creating your meal and deciding the level of taste bud torture, the waiter will provide you a coupon that tallies the total price of your meal. After you see how much it costs, you realize this is why the place is always packed. With pocket-friendly prices, this is exactly the reason why locals flock to the restaurant.
If you’re ever confused on how to create the perfect meal, adding more colors is always a good way to balance the flavors
With its prime location, Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika grew its fan base from students around the area. The restaurant began when Ibu Andika, the founder herself, was selling wrapped rice with a side of her sambal in baskets in the streets of Kuta.
Hailing from Banyuwangi, she upgraded the typical Javanese sambal recipe and added an extra kick. Unlike any other sellers, she strategized her hours by opening her business at 3 AM, where the young and reckless look for a quick carbo fix. Word got around the hood and she was quickly crowned as Kuta’s Ibu Pedas, or Spicy Lady.
To date, Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika is still considered as a mandatory pilgrimage for spicy lovers from across the world. All dishes served are still original creations of Ibu Andika herself, with constant experimentation to get the right ratio of flavor and savor.
Having a meal here is always an exciting experience, even addictive for some. Despite the crazy, Nasi Pedas Ibu Andika has become comfort food. And the best part is that whenever your tastebuds start buzzing, it welcomes you with open arms at any time of the day.
Location: Jl. Raya Kuta No.100, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Hours: Everyday, 24 hours
Is spicy food your game? Southeast Asia is the best region for exploring that palette. Known for being a good source of protein, eating spicy food is associated with being healthy.
In Indonesia alone, there are over 200 variants of sambal and they all hit different parts of your tastebuds. A lot of spicy dishes even challenge your ability to handle the crazy. Ayam Geprek, or crushed chicken, made its waves by offering a customizable sambal choice. Pick your level and the spicy factor follows. The trend blew up and the street food became an overnight hit and slowly became the people’s comfort food.
Another popular street food dish across the region is Thailand’s pad krapow, or spicy chicken basil. The dish is stir-fried and made with fresh bird’s eye chilies to get the right amount of kick. It’s such a comforting Thai dish that one of the Thai Cave survivors’s only request was this meal post-rescue.
Next door neighbour, Malaysia, also has its own version of spicy comfort food in the form of Devil’s Curry. The name is derived from its deep, fiery red colors from the chili paste, and its sharp tangy taste from the vinegar. It’s a heritage dish founded in Malacca, made by the Eurasian community. You’ll know it’s a good day when the dish is served, as it is prepared only for special occasions.
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