Men Djenggo Honoured as Pioneer of Traditional Balinese Cuisine

Ni Ketut Ngasti, the legendary figure known as Men Djenggo, has been posthumously honoured with the Pioneer of Traditional Balinese Cuisine award at the detikBali-Nusra Awards 2026. The award was received by her son, Henry Alexie Bloem, at The Trans Resort Bali on Friday (3/7/2026). The accolade recognises Men Djenggo’s contribution in creating nasi jinggo, a distinctive Balinese dish that has become an inseparable part of life on the Island of the Gods. Men Djenggo is known as the figure who popularised nasi jinggo from the 1980s. Starting out by selling wrapped rice to workers and anglers in the Benoa Harbour area, her simple recipe later became widely known and evolved into one of Bali’s culinary icons. More than just a food vendor, Men Djenggo is considered to have successfully created a people’s cuisine that has endured across generations. Today, nasi jinggo can be easily found throughout Bali in various forms, yet it retains its hallmark as a practical meal with a small portion and an affordable price. Despite many urging that Men Djenggo’s name be patented as the originator of nasi jinggo, the family chose to let the dish develop as a shared asset of the Balinese people. This decision is seen as having opened the space for nasi jinggo to continue living and growing as a regional culinary identity. Men Djenggo passed away at the age of 90, leaving behind an important legacy in Indonesia’s culinary journey, particularly in Bali. Her dedication and contribution ensure that the name Men Djenggo is remembered as the pioneer of one of the most iconic dishes on the Island of the Gods.