Timorese food · Street food
Bakso
Indonesian meatball soup with noodles, egg and greens: a cheap street-food staple in Dili.
Last verified: Checked against a Timorese cookbook and published food sources
By David
Quick answer · as of October 2026
Bakso is an Indonesian meatball soup with noodles, boiled egg, cabbage and bean sprouts in a light broth, with chilli sauce on the side. It is one of the most common street foods in Dili, sold from carts and small warungs for a few dollars.
- Type
- Street food
- Origin
- Indonesian
- Vegetarian
- Contains meat or fish
On this page
What is Bakso?
Indonesian food is everywhere in Timor-Leste, a legacy of the occupation from 1975 to 1999 and of trade with Indonesia today. A Portuguese-language Dili food guide lists bakso as common street food containing noodles, a meatball-style paste, boiled egg, cabbage, bean sprouts and chilli sauce.
Bakso is a good, cheap lunch and a safe introduction to local street food, because the soup is served boiling hot.
How it is made
- Meatballs are simmered in broth and served with noodles, egg, cabbage and bean sprouts. Chilli sauce, soy sauce and lime are added at the table.
Where to try it
Bakso carts and warungs are found all over Dili and in every town. Look for a cart with a glass cabinet of noodles and meatballs.
See all restaurants and cafés in Timor-Leste.
Tips
- Ask for no chilli if you prefer it mild, then add your own from the table.
More Timorese dishes
Street food
Pisang goreng
Also: fried banana
Banana fried in batter: a crisp, sweet snack sold at street stalls.
Vegetarian
Relish
Ai-manas (chilli pickle)
Also: aimanas, aimanas budu, ai manas
Crushed chilli with salt, garlic and lime or bilimbi: the table sauce served with almost everything.
Vegetarian
Frequently asked questions
Is bakso spicy?
Not on its own. The soup is mild, and chilli sauce is added at the table, so ask for it on the side if you prefer less heat.
Where can I eat bakso in Dili?
From bakso carts and small warungs all over the city. Look for a cart with a glass cabinet of noodles and meatballs.
Sources
Official sites, operators and references we checked for this page.
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