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:
(2-30 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
Brilliant morning. Putu was an excellent teacher, explaining what we had to do and why. The location is lovely, out in the countryside at a beautiful house.
My kids, (14 and 16) and I all got to prepare different elements and cook different things.
The final results tasted excellent and we are already planning to make the recipes again when we get home.
The only problem was that we made too much.
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alkirk
August 21, 2026
On 16 August, we took part in a cooking workshop with Putu in Ubud. It was a wonderful experience.
Not only did we get to discover Balinese cuisine by preparing five dishes together, but we also learned a lot about the interaction between their beloved chillies and the other ingredients. For example, why you should only use half a chilli in one dish because another ingredient intensifies the heat, while in other dishes you can easily use two chillies.
Putu explains everything perfectly and shares lots of useful tips and tricks. She also knows how to get everyone involved and actively participating. You can really see that she genuinely enjoys cooking, but also loves sharing her knowledge with others.
The Perkedel jagung we made ourselves turned out to be the best ones we tasted during our entire trip through Java and Bali!
We prepared quite a lot of food, but we thoroughly enjoyed every bite. It was definitely an experience we would love to repeat. And after the workshop, Putu also sends you all the recipes, so you can recreate the dishes at home and relive the experience.
A perfect way to end our trip!
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garreet
August 20, 2026
This is the best experience we had in Ubud. Putu is a very kind, enthousiastic and passionate cook. Pickup was excellent, we got a tour at Putu’s house, and made delicious meals with products from her own garden. Would recommend 100% for anyone!
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lucy
August 19, 2026
Very lovely experience. Putu guided us through preparing the recipes clearly, and she was very patient with helping our young children participate in the preparation. The food is very traditional Balinese, and she made a point to help us prepare versions of each dish with chiles for the grownups and without chiles for the kids. The kids also loved her garden and the animals wandering around in it, especially the baby swans.
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chris
August 19, 2026
We had a fantastic morning at Putu's home. After being picked up by Putu and her husband, we went to the market to shop and get instructions. Then we cooked five different dishes, making nasi campur together. The explanations and support provided were very nice and in good English.
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esther
August 19, 2026
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