Indonesia is famous for beautiful beaches, tropical islands and spectacular landscapes, but one of the best ways to truly understand the country is through its food.

In 2026, Indonesian gastronomy is receiving even greater attention as part of the country’s tourism experience. Indonesia is increasingly highlighting gastronomy as a way for travelers to connect with local culture, traditions and communities.

From 26 September to 4 October 2026, Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy 2026 celebrates Indonesia’s culinary heritage, highlighting Indonesian dishes, traditional markets, local ingredients, farmers, artisans and the communities that keep culinary traditions alive.

For travelers visiting Lombok, you don’t have to simply taste Indonesian food in a restaurant. You can learn how it is prepared, discover where the ingredients come from and cook traditional dishes yourself.

Lombok: An Island of Food, Culture and Tradition

Lombok is well known for its beaches, mountains and the nearby Gili Islands, but the island also has a rich culinary culture.

Traditional Lombok cooking uses aromatic herbs, fresh vegetables, coconut, chili and a variety of spices. Recipes have been passed between generations, with families developing their own ways of preparing familiar Indonesian and Lombok dishes.

This connection between food, family and local ingredients is exactly what makes a cooking class different from simply ordering a meal.

At Anggrek Putih Lombok Cooking Class in Senggigi, guests can experience this side of Lombok firsthand.

From the Garden to the Kitchen

An authentic culinary experience begins before the cooking starts.

At Anggrek Putih, the experience includes a guided garden tour, where guests can discover tropical plants, vegetables and herbs used in Indonesian cooking.

For international visitors, ingredients that may normally appear only in a supermarket or finished dish suddenly have a story. Seeing them growing in a tropical garden creates a better understanding of how closely Indonesian cuisine is connected to nature and local agriculture.

Cook Authentic Indonesian & Lombok Dishes Yourself

The best part comes next: cooking.

Rather than simply watching a demonstration, guests participate in preparing the food themselves. During the Anggrek Putih cooking experience, participants prepare a selection of authentic Indonesian and Lombok dishes while learning about local ingredients, spices, preparation methods and traditional cooking techniques.

Depending on the menu and season, guests can prepare between 7 and 15 dishes and discover the different flavors that make Indonesian and Lombok cuisine so special.

Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and gluten-free options are available, and all food prepared during the cooking class is halal.

After cooking, everyone sits down together to enjoy the dishes they have prepared.

Add a Traditional Market Experience

For travelers who want to discover even more of local life, Anggrek Putih also offers a Cooking Class, Garden Experience & Traditional Market option.

Visiting a traditional market gives travelers a completely different perspective on everyday life in Lombok. The colors, aromas, fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices make the market an important part of the experience, not simply a place to shop.

Guests can discover ingredients commonly used in Indonesian and Lombok cooking before returning to Anggrek Putih for the garden experience and hands-on cooking class.

Traditional markets are an important part of Indonesia’s culinary heritage, connecting local farmers, sellers, families and traditional recipes from one generation to the next.

Why Culinary Experience Matter When You Travel?

Travel is changing. Many visitors no longer want to return home with only photographs of famous attractions. They want experiences that help them understand the destination, its culture and the people who live there.

Food is one of the easiest—and most enjoyable—ways to make that connection.

A Lombok cooking class can introduce you to ingredients you may have never used before, teach you traditional recipes you can recreate at home and give you a glimpse into everyday Indonesian life.

Long after your holiday photographs have disappeared into your phone, you may still be cooking one of the dishes you learned in Lombok.

Experience Lombok Through Its Food

Indonesia has thousands of islands and an extraordinary diversity of culinary traditions. Lombok has its own flavors, ingredients and food traditions that are well worth discovering.

If you are staying in Senggigi, Mangsit, Batu Layar, Mataram or Ampenan, spending a few hours learning to cook Indonesian food can be a memorable part of your Lombok holiday.

At Anggrek Putih Lombok Cooking Class & Garden Tour, the experience brings together the garden, fresh local ingredients, traditional recipes and hands-on cooking.

Come hungry and leave with more than a full stomach. Leave with new recipes, wonderful memories and a little piece of Lombok that you can take home with you.