JI at the Bale Sutra, Hotel Tugu Bali
Asian Grill, Sushi and Sake Bar
Ji at the Bale Sutra is the only restaurant that is housed in an original ancient Kang Xi period temple from 1706. This 310-years-old Kang Xi period temple was almost demolished in the 1990s in Java, and was transported and reconstructed in its entirety at Hotel Tugu.
A majestic blend between the old Chinese and the old Balinese cultures, this ornate and elegant dark wood temple features beautiful carvings and details of mythological animals all over the roofs and ceilings. It was originally a family temple that had been used for generations, before it was saved and found by the founder/designer of Tugu Hotels & Restaurants, the antique collector Anhar Setjadibrata. The beautiful temple is now housed in a red room fully decorated with a delicate 18th century Goddess of Mercy, as well as numerous artifacts, heritage of the grandiose lives of barons and Balinese sovereigns from past centuries. Coloring the red walls are black and white full-sized portraits of Balinese monarch rulers as well as original Chinese paintings from Qing dynasty. The room features a very long dark wood bar serving contemporary Asian-inspired cocktails as well as fine sakes from Japan and wines from all over the world.
The cuisine at JI is inspired by centuries old cooking tradition from Japan, as well as other East Asian countries, with focus on classical art of grilling (robata) as well as the finer arts of sushi in bringing beautifully delicate flavors of Asia to guests’ tables. From marinated black cod in yellow miso sauce with a glaze of shio koji; grilled octopus served with baby potatoes, anchovies and Japanese crème fraiche; aged rib eye marinated in sesame seeds oil with tangerine peel and Sichuan pepper; grilled scallops glazed with yuzu butter served with miso eggplant; dragon roll; rainbow rolls; and chef’s omakase of the freshest sashimis imported from Japan as well as from the fresh catches of the day, JI features a beautiful selection of menu to indulge in this atmospheric setting by the sea.
To enter JI, you can choose from 3 different gateways: 1) the very low Gate of Heaven, where one has to bend down while entering to show respect to the Gods; 2) Gate of Hell, a 4 meter-tall door with a pair of mythological guards ready to take you to the darker side; and 3) Gate of Love, where you will pass the 18th century statue of the Goddess of Love Mercy, Dewi Gwan Yin. When you enter through the Gate of Hell ‘by mistake’, you will find yourself in a nirvana of amazing wines from the best wineries of the world, as well as a wide collection of fine Japanese sake. Inside this ‘hell’ there are two huts with ancient Japanese atmosphere, where guests can enjoy a relaxing wine and sake degustation. The interior of this wine and sake area surrounds the theme of KABUKI, with Japanese lanterns, partitions, old poetry carved on wooden panels, a very heavy and large lion statue carved from one whole rock as well as statues of two other Japanese mythological creatures.
From these 3 gates you can also continue to the upper floor lounge where a most magical view opens up to 180 degrees of Canggu Beach and the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Here one can sip cocktails and watch the surf all day, in a setting of mystical, exotic and cultural Asia facing the beautiful view over the sea.
For enquiries, email us at sales[at]tuguhotels[dot]com or call us at (0361) 4731701
