Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

"Abug" Cake to Become Market Leader in Karangasem

Abug cake is a typical Balinese traditional cake from Karangasem and is made from white sticky rice blended with grated coconut. It is widely for sale at traditional markets in the vicinity of Amlapura, the capital of Karangasem Regency.

This cake is regularly used as the filler of oblations on Hindu rituals. Household mothers always purchase this cake amounting to several packages at the local market. Uniquely, this cake is durable and can last up to three weeks as it has been dried and wrapped by plastic. Its price is inexpensive and it has a typical flavour.
Lungsuran or post-ritual cake can be retained and savoured till some days after the ceremony. This cake is remarkably good as light snack while drinking coffee.
Other than abug, the cakes commonly presented or intended for filler of oblation of Hindu community in Karangasem are jaja goreng, jaja uli, jaja bagina and dodol as well as apem. These types of cakes, in fact have penetrated the dessert menus at hotels and restaurants. However, the predominant ones are the laklak, cerorot, apem, lempog and fried banana.
All of these cakes are now easily obtained at traditional markets in Karangasem where they are mostly sold at the market of East Amlapura, the biggest market in Karangasem. It is situated in the neighbourhood of the Grand Palace in Amlapura or some 7 km from the Soekasada Park. The latter is known as a water palace, the relic of the Karangasem Kingdom.
Amlapura market is frequently visited by foreign tourists. On being escorted by their tour guide, they regularly purchase Balinese cakes. Having dropped by the market, they habitually proceed to visit the Karangasem Grand Palace or Soekasada Oejoeng Park. Afterwards, they resume to Besakih Temple or spend the night at Candidasa, Tirtagangga or take a diving package at Tulamben, Jemeluk or other nice-looking beaches on the easternmost part of Bali Island. (BTN/budana)