Meet
Putu
Putu, a warm and talented home chef, offers travelers an authentic, immersive Balinese cooking experience in Ubud, in her traditional family compound. Growing up alongside her grandparents, who are rice farmers, Putu learned the art of cooking from an early age, helping her grandmother prepare daily meals. Over the years, her passion for cooking has blossomed into both a career and a personal passion. Putu specializes in fresh, creative Balinese dishes presented with artistry, often garnished with delicately carved fruit and vegetables. At home, she takes on the sacred responsibility of preparing temple offerings, from small gifts to grand fruit towers, which she carries during temple ceremonies. She also makes homemade jamu, a traditional health tonic made from turmeric.
Putu’s family compound is a lively place where visitors will meet her grandparents, her husband Pasta, and their three children. The compound includes an orchard with jackfruit, cacao, durian, coffee, and bananas, as well as a variety of animals, including pigs, ducks, chickens, and a cow. During visits, Putu and her family offer a guided tour of the compound, sharing insights into their daily life and the significance of their family temple. Guests will also enjoy delicious meals made with rice grown by her grandparents, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Cooking experience:
(1-30 guests)
Join Putu in her home kitchen in Ubud for a private, hands-on Balinese cooking class where you’ll prepare five authentic dishes together. As you chop, grind, and grill, Putu will share stories behind her family recipes, the vibrant spices she uses, and the healing properties of traditional Balinese ingredients, most of which come straight from her own farm. Her kitchen may be simple, with just a two-burner cooktop, but you’ll be amazed by the ease and grace with which she brings complex flavors to life.
Beyond cooking, Putu offers warm insights into Balinese Hinduism and everyday local life, all with a great sense of humor that makes the experience both meaningful and fun. This intimate cooking class lasts about 1.5 hours and ends with a shared meal of everything you’ve prepared. When in season, you’ll also savor organic fruits picked straight from the family’s trees - fresh, flavorful, and truly farm-to-table. It’s perfect for food lovers and curious travelers looking for a deeper, hands-on connection to Balinese culture and cuisine.
Market visit:
(1-30 guests)
After your 7am pickup from your Ubud hotel, head to the bustling Pejeng market to experience local life in full swing. Join Putu as she guides you through the vibrant stalls, pointing out seasonal fruits, vegetables, and spices while gathering a few fresh ingredients for your cooking class. You’ll spend about 30 minutes exploring the market, soaking in the sights, scents, and sounds - it's a fantastic opportunity for photos, so be sure to bring your camera. From there, you'll continue on to Putu’s home to begin your hands-on Balinese cooking experience.
Notes:
1. Prices include round-trip transport from Ubud only. Please be sure to include your hotel name on the reservation form so your host can arrange for your pick-up.
2. If you are staying outside of Ubud there will be an additional charge for transportation. Please contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com for details. Putu can accommodate a vegetarian diet in her cooking class if informed in advance.
Languages spoken:
English
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Putu's home is in a lovely, quiet setting. When I arrived the table was set, the food prepped for cooking, and the children greeted me with shy looks and an occasional smile. Putu she explained the what, how, why of the cooking process. It amazed me that she could prepare 6 dishes on two burners with great fluidity to her work. Each dish turned out perfectly and looks beautiful - not to mention, everything was delicious!
Wendy, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
We were married for 50 years and Putu cooked a buffet for us. We live nearby and celebrated our party locally. The food was amazing. A must if you are in Bali.
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jackie
March 09, 2026
We were collected from our villa in Ubud and driven to Putu village . Her house is a typical Balinese compound with a beautiful garden
We cooked five dishes and ate them. We can highly recommend this cooking class Putu was informative polite and a joy to be around
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julie
March 04, 2026
One of the best experiences we have had as travellers over many decades. This is for anyone who wants a great cooking class AND wants to learn about Balinese culture, religion and daily life.
We were picked up, on time, by Putu and her husband Pasta (yes - Pasta) from our accommodation. The drive was interesting, travelling from Ubud through a rural landscape to their small village (150 close-knit families). Pasta is a calm and skilled driver.
When we arrived Putu showed us all the buildings that make up her familiy's area. These include ceremonial places. She described the function of each and the various Hindu Gods represented in their temple.
Then to the cooking: Putu took us through several techniques and helped us to prepare a multi-course, delicious meal, which we ate at the end of the session. (Made, her assistant was on hand to help if needed). As we grated, grilled, chopped, mixed and boiled, Putu happily answered all of our questions about Bali, the village and anything else we were interested in.
Cooking in a kitchen, with a roof, but mainly open to tbe sides was wonderful, especially when the rain pounded on the roof! The gardens - a farm really - were all around us and it is amazing how many types of fruit, vegetables and roots (and rice of course) that Putu's family grow. Putu showed us around the grounds before we started cooking)
After eating Putu and Pasta drove us back to Ubud.
Anyone coming to within reach of Putu's class should sign up - it is both a culinary and cultural experience!
Many thanks to Putu! We learned so much.
By the way: Putu also has an AirBNB in the village. It is called Rumah Pondok Kembar (maybe Pondak, not Pondak - my photo has a leaf over the word!)
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wendy
March 04, 2026
What a wonderful time learning about Balinese culture and cooking from Putu in her home.
The food was amazing and learning from her and her family even better!!!
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christian
March 04, 2026
If you'd like to learn more about a typical Indonesian meal, this is the place to go! It's simple and delicious.
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sylvie
January 20, 2026
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