Warung Bali – Bambu Sari

Opened in February 2009 and situated near a famous supermarket in Tuban, Warung Bambu Sari has quickly became the place to enjoy an authentic, good quality Balinese meal in a comfortable setting with a fair price. When we arrive at the big parking lot, we see long wooden chairs inside a breezy, open bale style compound, there are pretty green plants at the entrance, and rindik – traditional bamboo gamelan music is playing in the background. The simple menu looks promising and we order all the basics with the help of Ibu Wina, the sweet, caring proprietor of Bambu Sari.

It all started with her hobby of cooking good and healthy food for her big family. Her children loved her food and now that they are adults have backed her long time dream to  own a restaurant of her own. “I want to welcome people to a place that resembles my home where they can  enjoy delicious and healthy traditional food in a comfortable and clean setting. Cleanliness is super important here.” She emphasizes.

The famous Nasi Campur or steamed white rice with assorted Balinese specialties was in every bit delicious. As for the Ayam Betutu, no need to order a day in advance, like many places; here the full dish of chicken marinated in Balinese spices, wrapped in betel nut leaves and smoked to perfection is served up straight away.  We also enjoy the Sup Buntut Import, an imported oxtail soup with tender meat and a light and  refreshing broth. My personal favorite is the Tipat Catok, which reminds me a lot of Gado Gado. Boiled bean sprouts, water spinach, and tofu in sweet peanut sauce served on top of steamed rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaf. Yummy. But their signature dish must be the Iga Sapi Bumbu Plecing Bambu Sari, tender beef ribs, grilled until soft and crunchy, and served with sambal plecing (shrimp paste chili sauce), tofu, tempe and water spinach. A must try. All the spices taste very fresh, not surprising as Ibu Wina hunts for them herself, “I do not compromise on the quality of the spices, since I don’t use MSG. I buy the small tasty garlic straight from the Balinese farmers. Also, the shrimp paste I use for the sambal plecing comes from the Lombok home industry.”

For dessert we try the colorful icy sweet drinks popular in Balinese culture, such as Ice Kenyal Kenyol, a blend of aloe vera, selasih fruit and coconut essence, Ice Cingo, a blend of black cincau and selasih fruit, Young Coconut with Orange, and LGH, a blend of lemon, ginger and honey with lemongrass and cinnamon which became my favorite. The Rujak Buah Manis, an assortment of traditional fruit basted in spicy sugar sauce is heavenly.

If you happened to have a Balinese family as friends, than you might get lucky and be invited to their house compound to taste real Balinese food. Otherwise, believe it or not, it is not easy to find a place to enjoy authentic, good quality Balinese food with a fair price on this island. So, it is a cause of celebration to learn about Warung Bambu Sari. Knowing the kitchen is guarded by a fiercely non-compromising Ibu is a comfort in itself. MK
 

Warung Bali – Bambu Sari
Jalan Kahuripan No.2, Kuta
Opening hours 9 am – 9.30 pm
Seating 60
Phone   +62 361 751 307
Kuta Map C - 3