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
Everything was perfect, we cooked different balinese dishes with homegrown ingredients.
Putu was so nice and attentive, you are engaged in the experience from the first minute.
Besides the food is a cultural must to understand life in Bali. We’ll come back again
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axel
May 27, 2026
This was a highlight of our trip to Bali. Putu and her husband Pasta arrived early at our Villa to collect us and take us to their family home, explaining about village life on the way. We had a wonderful tour of their home and garden, surrounded by fresh ingredients that we would cook later. After some refreshing coconut we got started on the five dishes we would cook for dinner. Putu spent time teaching my 9 year old daughter the knife skills to prepare onions and garlic, she grew in confidence throughout each preparation.
Each dish was carefully explained and we were able to get involved in every step of the process before finishing with a delicious meal served with a local beer
A fantastic experience that I would recommend to any family
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don
May 26, 2026
Fantastic evening with Putu. Amazing food and teaching. Worst part was accidentally
leaving the leftovers in the car. Highly recommend the class
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gary
May 24, 2026
Our dinner at Putu's house was one of our favorite experiences while in Bali. She was so sweet and really opened up to us about Balinese life. We learned so much from her! The cooking class was really fun. Puta did a great job guiding us through cooking many delicious meals with fresh ingredients from her garden! I cannot eat gluten, and she was really thoughtful with the meals, despite a lot of traditonal dishes normally having gluten in them. Eveeything we made was delicious! She even makes her own coconut oil. We had so much fun and had so much food by the end of it. We can't wait to try to make some of the meals she taught us how to make when we get home! If you are looking for a really authentic cooking class, exceptional hospitality, and a greater insight to what balinese life looks like for the balinese people, I would highly reccomend Putu's cooking class. Thank you so much Putu for welcoming us into your home!
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rebecca
May 23, 2026
My friends and I had the best time with Putu!! The market tour and cooking class were probably one of our favorite Bali experiences. We are so grateful to Putu for opening her home to us. She introduced us to Balinese food and recipes, and also gave us a glimpse into family, personal lives, and religious and cultural traditions. I would absolutely recommend this experience to everyone. If I come back to Bali, I would definitely enjoy another visit with her!
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joy
May 20, 2026
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