The original article was published by Nzherald.co.nz. Read HERE.

Writer: Anna King Shahab

Bali boasts top cuisines from all over the world, and these are the best spots to find them, writes Anna King Shahab.

Canggu
Ji Terrace

It was once the rustic indie cousin to neighbouring Seminyak, with just a few warungs and smoothie bars dotted around, however Canggu has seen exponential growth over the past five years. Among its very first developments, Hotel Tugu remains a charming place to stay and to visit with an appetite.

Owned by one of Indonesia’s most prolific antique collectors, Tugu is a living gallery, including its restaurant, Ji, housed in a reconstructed 1700s temple. The golden hour before dusk is a great time to settle into a possie on the terrace and take in the view: the fiery sun melting into the Indian Ocean, and the comings and goings at legendary beach club Old Man’s, across the road.

The menu is Japanese with a side of local tropical produce and touches of Nikkei. Pretty platters of sashimi, nigiri, sushi rolls and crunchy tempura are bolstered by proteins cooked over charcoal, including Kobe-style Angus and wagyu beef, lobster, pork belly, and prawns.

Cocktails are served up theatrically with smoke, fire, and dry ice. We loved the savoury kaiso with seaweed, infused shochu, ginger, grapefruit and lime, and the tropical passion rosella which brings blue curacao into the 21st century, marrying it with infused tequila and lemon marmalade.