With an interior design inspired by the Javanese joglo house and keroncong music playing in the background, the atmosphere here is more Yogyakarta than Bali. Its menu consists of both Thai and Indonesian dishes, but as a fully fledged Indonesian food enthusiast, I opted for the latter. My order for that day comprised Lumpia Goreng (fried spring roll), Sayur Lodeh (vegetable soup with coconut milk), and Ikan Panggang Kemangi (grilled fish in lemon basil). It’s also worth noting that the prices here start from Rp.56,000, which is quite affordable for an eatery of such stature.

The food here are served as if one is at one’s own home, such as the Sayur Lodeh and the white ceramic plate that is used for the rice. Taste-wise, everything was superb. The grilled fish featured a heavenly aroma thanks to the addition of lemon basil, while the Sayur Lodeh was made perfectly with the right consistency for the coconut milk and the vegetables are nicely cooked. Although classified as an appetiser, the Lumpia Goreng ended up becoming an excellent side dish for my meal.

Despite the refined ambience of the place, it felt like home at Café Degan.

Jl. Petitenget No. 09, Kerobokan,
Bali
T: 0813 3728 1281
Open daily from 11am-10.30pm
Rp.100,000/US$7.60 per person

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Before we move forward, let me clarify that this article is not about Chandi. As it says on the title, this piece is dedicated to Mr. Nugroho’s latest venture: Arang Sate Bar. Situated in Ubud, Arang Sate Bar specialises in modernised satay.

During my visit, I got to gnaw on some of its signature dishes, including its vegetarian satay and prawn satay. The skewers here are placed on a hot stone, hence the satay are cooked evenly without causing charring. Health-conscious folks should be aware that blackened areas of meat that are grilled contain carcinogens that could cause cancer, so this is a method that would to endear to them greatly.

However, amidst the deluge of satays, its tempestuous rice paper and roast beet tempeh crunch salad stole their thunder. The rice paper is filled with well-seasoned tempeh, with its sauce rich and milky in texture with a hint of sweetness. The salad also includes chopped beets, vegetables, and caramelised tempeh. Soft and with no unpleasant earthy flavour, the beets mixed well with the tempeh, lending a lovely sweet touch to the overall concoction. A visit to Arang Sate Bar is definitely a must if you’re looking for local dishes with a modern touch.

Jl. Raya Ubud No. 8,
Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
T: 0361 479 2199
Open daily from 11am-11pm
Rp.150,000/US$11.40 per person

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Established in 2014, Bambu sits on the perennially busy Jalan Petitenget. Prior to my arrival, I had made a reservation for 9.30pm. A change of mind, though, led me to wanting to have dinner at 6pm instead. Thankfully, the receptionist kindly obliged to my inconsistency and invited to me drop by as she will try to find a table for me.

When I got there, I was told that I did manage to get a table but only until 7.30pm. I made my way to the second floor and was awestruck by the restaurant’s comforting ambience. As I walked, I observed the many traditional Indonesian aspects that Bambu has successfully combined with its contemporary design, such as the joglo (Javanese traditional house) that rises above a pool of water and the batik napkins.
Once seated, the friendly staff member introduced herself as Sari and proceeded to share the story behind Bambu. As it was my first time in Bambu, I asked her to throw me a few recommendations on what to eat. In the end, I ordered its Balinese Ayam Pelalah, Sayur Sambiki (sweet pumpkins in chilli and coconut milk) and grilled tuna.

As I waited for my food, I was given a complimentary refined serving of Rempeyek (rice-flour crackers). Its taste reminded me of the ones that my housemaid would make, but it wasn’t as oily while the anchovies mixed well with the flour. Just as I was about to ask for seconds, my meal had arrived. The Ayam Pelalah here took a milder approach in presenting the fiery Balinese spices that we’re used to eating, while the Sayur Sambika featured a complex combination of sweet and savoury flavours.

Once I was finished with my main course, I moved on to try out its desserts. I opted for the Laklak (Balinese traditional pancakes) to provide a sweet ending to my dining experience in Bambu. While those obtained from a street vendor would have a chewy yet tough texture, Bambu’s version is crunchy although still delightfully chewy. Another plus point is the intense coconut milk flavour that it gives off.
Besides serving delicious food, the service at Bambu is top-notch – all the employees there were very friendly and attentive. I left with a huge smile on my face.

Jl. Petitenget No. 198,
Seminyak, Bali
T: 0361 846 9797
Open daily from 6pm-12am
Price: Rp.250,000/US$19 per person

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