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.
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 a modern interpretation inspired by centuries old cooking tradition from Japan, as well as the finer arts of sushi in bringing beautifully delicate flavours to guests’ tables.
Apart from more well known dishes we will also introduce the ancient style Kaiseki (small tasting bowls). Kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colours of food. To this end, only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavour.
Finished dishes are carefully presented on small bowls that are chosen to enhance the appearance and the seasonal theme. Our modern Japanese dishes such as Blue Swimmer Crab with homemade Saffron Noodle; Pork Belly in golden Japanese Curry; Slow-cooked Wagyu in Sake; Tuna Katsu with Soya Caviar and Eggplant Pickles; Baby Abalone with Ravioli and Sea Grapes; Buttermilk Chicken with Soba and Carrot and Ginger Glaze; Crispy Sardine with Potato Salad and Karashi Dressing; and simply the freshest sashimis from the catches of the day.
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
