Bumbu Bali: Six Ingredients That Started Everything

How a photo took me to Bali

Back in 2011, fresh out of culinary school, I came across an article by a chef traveling through Indonesia. The headline photo was a beautiful plate of food. Water spinach (kangkung) and long beans (kacang panjang) glistening in a sauce of galangal, turmeric, ginger, shallots, garlic, lime, coconut oil, and fish paste. Chicken and pork sauté on bamboo skewers, grilled over coconut charcoal. Perfectly steamed rice studded with diced purple sweet potatoes. A vibrant peanut and tomato sambal on the side. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

In the close distance: a lush, ever-expansive rice field. Beyond the field: a volcano, Mt. Agung. The most incredible place on this earth, I thought to myself.

I had to find out where this place was. Could it even be real? My soul was called to go.

I tracked down the name of the restaurant and emailed the owner the same day. Something along the lines of:

"My name is Jake Thompson. I'm a certified therapeutic chef with experience in farm-to-table restaurants, catering, and as a fishmonger at Whole Foods. I would love to expand my knowledge in cooking from cultural and traditional practices, and I believe being immersed in a new, creative culinary setting will be extremely beneficial to my growth in therapeutic cooking. If you'd like an intern, it would be an honor to come help out in the kitchen and learn Balinese cuisine and culture."

Within a few days, I got a reply. She would love for me to come out. Within another week, my trip was booked. There was so much excitement, joyful anticipation, and a knowingness in my soul that my life would never be the same from that day forward.

I'll someday share the full story of traveling, working, creating a second family, and falling in love with Bali.

Bumbu Bali

Once I returned to the States, I knew I had to spread the knowledge, flavors, and healing properties of the food. That's how Bumbu Bali, a wood-fired, organic, traditional Balinese cuisine food truck, came to life.

The base of every dish was a traditional Balinese bumbu, a fresh spice paste made from galangal, ginger, turmeric, shallots, garlic, and chilis. These six ingredients are some of the most potent healing foods I cook with. You can feel them before you even eat.

I use them in my kitchen every week. Here's what each one does, and how to bring them into yours.

Galangal: the digestive fire starter

Often compared to ginger, galangal has a sharper, more citrusy profile and a long history in Southeast Asian cooking. Sometimes called the mother of all herbs in modern herbalist circles.

Healing benefits:

• Stimulates digestion and reduces bloating

• Contains anti-inflammatory compounds

• Offers antimicrobial support

• Enhances circulation and warms the body

Galangal is especially helpful for sluggish digestion. A powerful addition to broths and soups.

Ginger: the universal healer

Ginger is one of the most widely used medicinal foods, for good reason.

Healing benefits:

• Reduces inflammation and muscle soreness

• Relieves nausea and supports digestion

• Improves circulation and warms the body

• Supports immune function

Its active compound, gingerol, is responsible for many of its therapeutic effects.

Turmeric: the golden anti-inflammatory

Turmeric has gained global recognition for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Healing benefits:

• Helps reduce chronic inflammation

• Provides powerful antioxidant support

• Supports liver detoxification

• Promotes joint and brain health

For best absorption, pair turmeric with black pepper and a healthy fat.

Garlic: nature's immune defender

Garlic is one of the most researched medicinal foods and a staple in therapeutic cooking.

Healing benefits:

• Supports heart health and circulation

• Boosts immune function

• Provides antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties

• Helps reduce inflammation

Crushing or chopping garlic activates allicin, its key healing compound.

Shallots: gentle but powerful

Shallots are often overlooked, but they offer many of the same benefits as garlic and onions, just in a milder form.

Healing benefits:

• Rich in antioxidants

• Supports cardiovascular health

• Helps regulate blood sugar

• Easier to digest than stronger alliums

A great choice if you want the benefits of onions without the intensity.

Chilis: heat that heals

Chilis bring more than just spice. They activate and energize the body.

Healing benefits:

• Boost metabolism and circulation

• Provide natural pain relief through capsaicin

• Support immune health with high vitamin C content

• Stimulate digestion in small amounts

Use mindfully, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system.

Why these ingredients work better together

When combined, these six create a synergy:

• Enhanced anti-inflammatory effects

• Improved digestion and nutrient absorption

• Stronger immune defense

• Increased circulation and metabolic activity

This is why traditional dishes like broths, curries, and herbal tonics often include several of these ingredients together. They amplify each other's healing potential.

Bringing it into your kitchen

Incorporating these ingredients doesn't have to be complicated. Start simple:

• Add ginger and garlic to your sauté base

• Simmer turmeric and galangal into broths

• Use shallots for a gentler aromatic layer

• Add a touch of chili for warmth

Cooking with intention transforms meals into medicine. These ingredients are some of the best tools to support healing through food, in my opinion.

[ Photo: Mt. Agung view from the cafe — could open or close the post ]