About Bali Marle
Bali Marle founders James and Marle provide Indonesian-inspired hot sauces, pastes, and spices at farmers’ markets and community events across Massachusetts.
Boston Globe Feature: They’re ‘just a small husband-and-wife team.’ But their sauces are hot stuff.
Check out our recent feature in the Boston Globe!
“We never expected it,” says Marle, an Indonesian native who drew inspiration from family recipes. “People from all over the world send in their products; we’re just a small husband-and-wife team business.”
How it started
Bali Marle began in 2019 as a passion project between husband-and-wife team James and Marle. What started as a small pop-up serving bold, spicy Indonesian dishes quickly gained a loyal following. Customers would travel between breweries and across towns just to get another taste.
Marle, originally from Indonesia, loved sharing her cooking with James—especially her fiery homemade recipes. When James began bringing her dishes to work, his co-workers couldn’t get enough. Encouraged by the growing demand, the couple turned their love for home-cooked spice into a full-fledged business.
Then came 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard, forcing small businesses everywhere to make difficult decisions. Bali Marle was no exception—facing mounting uncertainty and nearly closing their doors.
But rather than give up, they chose to adapt.
In 2021, they launched their first line of hot sauces, and it was an instant hit. Self-proclaimed “chiliheads” quickly took notice, eager to experience the bold Indonesian flavors. By 2022, Bali Marle had shifted its focus entirely, saying goodbye to the pop-up scene and committing to a growing lineup of hot sauces and spicy seasonings.
Today, you’ll find James and Marle sharing their signature heat at farmers markets and local events across Massachusetts. Want to find them next? Check out the Calendar of Events and follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.
