Trying the Sweet of Jaje Bendu

Bali Island has many delicious traditional foods. The most variety of food and sweets, or ( Jaje Bali) in the Balinese language, are usually served at a variety of temple ceremonies or another celebration.

Delicious and colorful sweets become wonderful treats for guests at any family gathering. One of the most delicious sweets is Jaje Bendu. Jembrana regency in west Bali is the home of the Jaje Bendu and one of its specialties as it tastes different from those produced in other places in Bali. The sweet is served during wedding parties or ceremonial events. 

Jaje Bendu is made of sticky rice flour mixed with a spoon of salt, palm sugar, and grated coconut. The processes are that the rice flour is mixed with a squeeze of hibiscus flower to make a sticky dough. Then butter or coconut oil is placed on a pan to fry the thin dough, making what looks like a crepe. The fried dough is filled with “Unti” or palm sugar and grated coconut. After that, it is wrapped in young banana leaves. It takes two hours to make Jaje Bendu. You must have a special skill to make this food because you must make a thin dough.

Jaje Bendu is now becoming a favorite sweet at wedding parties, Otonan (the celebration to observe a baby’s sixth month) and other occasions. If you want to taste traditional Balinese cakes, Jaje Bendu is definitely recommended.