Balinese Cuisine at Bumbu Bali

On our first night in Bali, we decided to have a Balinese dinner at the Bumbu Bali, located in Tanjung Benoa. Bumbu Bali claims to be the first authentic Balinese restaurant and was created following the principals used in designing a traditional Balinese home compound. Surprisingly, the owner of the restaurant is Heinz von Holzen, a Swiss, married to a Balinese. Heinz used to be the Executive Chef at the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton Bali.

Having missed out on the Bumbu Bali during our first visit to Bali a couple of years back, we decided to make reservations for the night so as to not miss out again. It was also very convenient that the restaurant provides complimentary transportation to the restaurant from Nusa Dua hotels guests. The Bumbu Bali is so popular that the driver told us on the way back that it was his 8th trip to the Melia Bali that night.

At the restaurant, the kitchen staff greeted each guest with a cheery "Selamat Malam" or Good Night (which in Bali, is used as a welcome greeting as opposed to in Malaysia where it is used as a farewell greeting). The guests, both male and female are given a frangipani to be worn on the ear.

We opted for the set meal called the Rijsttafel (yeah, it's a mouthful, isn't it?), which means "Rice Table" (Indonesian dishes are always served in the center of the table surrounding a large basket of steamed white rice). We also complemented it with Hasil Laut Bumbu Kuning (Assorted Seafood in Yellow Turmeric Sauce), which was recommended by the waitress.

THE RIJSTTAFEL
APPETIZER

Sambel be Tongkol (Tuna Salad)
Sate Babi, Ayam, Lilit (Pork, Chicken and Seafood Sate)
Peanut Sauce
Lawar - Vegetable Salad

Verdict: The sates were absolutely delicious. The sauce was smooth and had a flavourful peanut taste (it definitely was made from roasted peanuts and not peanut butter). The lawar was fresh and crunchy.

SOUP
Cram Cam (Clear Chicken Soup with Shallots)

Verdict: The soup was seasoned with aromatic Balinese spices. Tasted quite similar to soto ayam.

MAIN DISHES
Ayam Betutu (Roast Chicken in Banana Leaf)
Be Celeng Base Manis (Pork in Sweet Soy Sauce)
Be Sampi Mebase Bali (Braised Beef in Coconut Milk)
Kambing Mekuah (Lamb Stew in Coconut Milk)
Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish Fillet)
Pesan be Pasih (Diced Fish Grilled in Banana Leaf)
Sayur (Selection of Daily Vegetables)
Nasi Kuning, Merah, Putih (Yellow, Red and Steamed Rice)

Ala carte: Hasil Laut Bumbu Kuning (Assorted Seafood in Yellow Turmeric Sauce)
Verdict: Each dish was simply oozing with flavour. The lamb stew and braised beef literally melts in your mouth. The fish and seafood dishes were very fresh. The pork in sweet soy sauce tastes very much like the Chinese style dish we have in Malaysia.

DESSERT
Kueh Bali (Selection of Balinese Cakes)
Bubuh Injin (Black Rice Pudding)
Jaja Batun Bedil (Glutinous Rice Flour Dumplings in Palm Sugar Sauce)
Buah-Buahan (Seasonal Fruits)
Balinese Coffee or Tea

Verdict: At this stage, we were already quite full. But, we couldn't resist sampling the dessert. My favourite dessert is the Glutinous Rice Flour Dumplings in Palm Sugar Sauce. It was absolutely delicious and not-to-be-missed. The dumplings had a soft chewy texture and the palm sugar sauce was so fragrant. The black rice pudding is similar to what we have in Malaysia (not surprisingly since there are similarities in our cultures).

Final verdict: I'm glad we managed to taste the food at the Bumbu Bali this trip. Absolutely delicious!