Explore Bali Denpasar Local Market: Best Shopping and Cultural Experience

Bali Denpasar local food market. On Saturday, I accompanied my husband to watch a BJJ jiu-jitsu competition. On the way back, I remembered there was a market in the city center, so I searched for it. When we arrived, I realized that I had passed by it several times before but never noticed it. To be honest, I was a bit nervous before entering.

Let me set some expectations for those who want to experience it: it’s very dirty and smelly, so don’t think of it as a tourist spot. Before going, I read some reviews on Google Maps; some said it was worth visiting, while others described it as dirty, messy, and not worth it.

I was hesitant because I was with my child and my husband. If I went alone, I wouldn’t have felt as much pressure. Indeed, after walking around, I found that it was quite shocking for my husband and child. I also had some thoughts💡—the daily quality of life for these locals is non-existent. I entered with a tourist mindset, wanting to see how the locals live.

Before entering, I was hit by a smell, not too unpleasant but not good either. I saw in the reviews that someone mentioned seeing rats, and indeed, I saw one that day! A big one with a long tail. When I first entered, I saw stalls selling incense and candles for their daily prayers, so there wasn’t much of a smell.

Later, when I went downstairs, it was a seafood market, but fortunately, they had already closed. I really dislike the smell of fish. Since many stalls were closed, we started to leave. There were street vendors everywhere, and then I found it truly “interesting.” I saw fish being sold, covered in flies, and raw meat, also covered in flies (see picture 1).

The tomatoes were fresh, but behind them, did you notice? It was all garbage, rotten garbage. The streets were full of stalls, and the aunties didn’t really try to sell to us, probably knowing we were just looking. I thought these might be the raw materials that cause “Bali belly” for tourists. Such scenes haven’t been seen in Shanghai for a long time, and we are used to the country controlling food quality, with markets regulated by authorities.

But here, there is no such control.

Actually, I wanted to continue exploring, and as I walked, I began to feel more local. At that moment, I felt how lucky we are, able to choose our lifestyle, while these people have no choice about where they live or what they eat. This feeling was similar to when I visited a local flower and bird market before—having no choice is a scary thing.

When you have no choice, you can only accept it. My daughter, this little princess, when I asked if I could go in again, she frowned and refused, saying, “Mom, it smells bad inside.” My husband, I knew he didn’t want to go, but if I insisted, he would still accompany me. But I knew they didn’t want to go.

As we departed, I was greeted by a bustling array of snack stalls at the entrance. The tantalizing aroma of chicken satay filled the air, with each skewer priced at just 50 cents. Freshly squeezed orange juice, a mere 2.5 RMB per cup, beckoned to me. My body yearned for the refreshing drink, but my mind, ever the cautious one, decided against it.

Wandering through the area, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of melancholy. Seeing the vendors and their vibrant yet humble setups stirred a mix of emotions. With a sigh, I gathered my thoughts and continued on my way, carrying with me the vivid memories of that moment.