Bali: 5 local cuisines we've enjoyed

There's a saying, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do".

So, when in Bali, eat what the locals eat! We've definitely had heaps of good food, especially yummy local dishes thanks to Pak Wayan, that I've decided to just share our top 5! This are just our opinion, yours may differ, and in no particular order ya...

1. Warung Chef Bagus
We've found this on Google after searching for good pork ribs. There were many recommendations for this, so we gave it a try. Thankfully, it lived up to the recs and it truly made the long walk worthwhile! Total spent here was Rp280,500 including drinks.

2. Rumah Makan Minang Saiyo

Nasi padang at its best though it was really spicy! This is one of Pak Wayan's recs which serves good, authentic Sumatran dishes. Total bill was Rp290,000 for 4 pax including drinks.

3. Sate Babi Pak Jiwa Tan Juwet

My craving sated and fulfilled! Another Pak Wayan's recs and it was so good that I wished for another serving but I was just too full LOL! Total spent was only Rp78,000 including drinks, worth every penny!

4. Rumah Makan Taliwang Bersaudara

I like the ayam bakar (roasted chicken) version, which was so tender, soft and aromatic! Total spent here was Rp291,500 for 3 pax including an extra ayam bakar tapau!

5. Warung Wardani Tuban

Nice and tasty nasi campur with really spicy sambal! Tasty and fulfilling! Rp158,400 for 3 pax including drinks!

I sure hope this list will help you to decide which to go for LOL! TBH, go try it all and let me know your outcome :-) For the rest of the food that has not made into this list, you can check them out on my Instagram @sholeesphere :-)

MPOV: Pop Pizza

This is an overlooked post which I've forgotten to publish. It was during the end of December 2019.

Hunting for food in Mid Valley is truly a tedious task with the many varieties available which made it harder to decide. We finally settled on this pizza parlour since it's new and recently opened. I guess we should have read the menu first before trying it out.

Monsters pizza RM78

It turned out to be quite costly plus the pizza we had was really hard and difficult to chew on. Also the portion was considered small for 5 of us when the waiter claimed it's big. The ingredient on top was quite thin which I guess made the portion small. Our total bill was RM90.50 just for that pizza alone with 10% and 5% taxes. Thankfully our iced waters were free.

Honestly, it's not worth our money and we would not want to go back again. The other pizza parlours served way much better ones with loads of topping and more crunchy to chew on even for thin crust. Not forgetting we had to wait quite a while when we were so famished, about 1/2 hour, as it's freshly made using those wood type oven. The only plus point were the servers /  waiters... prompt and friendly. We definitely hadn't thought of pizza after that as this one truly shooked us up. Maybe we ordered the wrong food or we went there at the wrong timing but it was not a pleasant experience for us.

My rating: 2/5
Location: LG-043 Mid Valley Megamall

MPOV: 798 Rice Bucket

My rating: 3/5
Location: OB-K6, OB-K7, Oasis Boulevard, Sunway Pyramid
Type: non-halal

I liked the simple, traditional CNY decor of this shop LOL! Anyway, it was crowded at the Shabu side so thankfully, rice bucket side was still fine.

Salted Fish Rice Set RM15.90

Definitely sinful with the tasty salted fish! It was so yummy to the last bite with such tender meat and freshly steamed bucket rice!

Braised Pork Set RM19.90

Hub's braised pork was more firm and lean which was a little too hard for my liking. Even the broth was strongly flavoured with star anise and cinnamon.

Price of set meals are inclusive of a dessert and a drink hence it's affordable in a shopping mall scenario. Our total bill was RM41.75 including 10% Service charge and 6% SST. For such a fulfilling meal in Sunway Pyramid, it's bearable lah.

MPOV: Taipei Taipei

My rating: 2.5/5
Location: GF-31, Ground Floor, 3 Damansara
Type: non-halal

A random decision to try this place as the simple and traditional ambience was kinda inviting.

B08 Mushroom Chicken Soup RM16.90
A03 Braised Pork Knuckle with rice RM16.90
L04 Water x 2 RM3
Total including 6% service tax RM39

Sad to say, it did not lived up to my expectation. I did not expect the flavour to be sweet so it kinda turned off my taste bud with it's sweetness. The meat itself was quite hard and tasteless. Either I was not in the mood for Taiwanese food or it is just not my cup of tea, I didn't enjoy it much. Maybe I've ordered the wrong kind of dish too... hmmm... Anyway, it was not as cheap either but the large portion of meat kinda balance that. Also, thankfully the service was efficient and we were served quite promptly.

MPOV: Antipodeon Cafe

My rating: 3.5/5

Location: G37, Ground Floor Atria Mall

Type: Non-halal

Initially, when we approached the cafe, we felt intimidated by it's appearance ala stylo milo classy elegant. And then we were surprised that their menu is actually on their wall! Honestly, it's good to save more trees but it was kinda difficult to make out exactly what's on their wall. Too many on too little space!

Steven Arrabiata Spaghetti RM30
Big Al's Pasta Spaghetti RM24
Total including 10% service charge and 6% service tax RM62.65

Their food choice was limited so we've ordered spaghetti in the end. Surprisingly, it was yummylicious good. Normally I prefer white sauce or aglio ollio as tomato sauce usually turns out to be sourish which I disliked. However, I can taste the fresh tomato in this sauce which was not sourish at all! I'm glad that it's edible for me and I've wiped it clean! Even hub's sinful bacon strips and all was really tasty. Good portion with good service, overall it was a pleasant dinner for us.

Unfortunately, the high side is the pricing which was really the 'once in a blue moon' kinda meal for us. Well, with fresh ingredients and situated in a prime area of a mall, I guess it's unavoidable.

MPOV: La Juiceria Superfoods Signature Atria

My rating: 3/5

Location: Unit C10, Concourse Floor Atria Shopping Gallery

Hubs always asked me what does La Juiceria serves and I always replied healthy food LOL! Finally we gave it a try out of curiosity and it seemed not all are healthy....

Vietnamese Grilled Chicken Rice RM19.90
Fried Rice Quinoa RM19.90
Total inclusive of 10% service charge RM43.80

Overall, it was an interesting choice as it did turned out yummy! I've never had quinoa before so I was surprised by it's soft texture similar to rice yet fulfilling in a more refreshing way. The grilled chicken was tender though a tad sweet for our liking. Other than that, it was a good fusion meal.

Price wise is average, I guess, for such fusion food in a mall. It's like how they priced organic food in supermarkets as opposed to local produce. Once in a while, it's fine to dine here but not for always lah. I would still prefer 'yong chow fried rice' anytime with the 'wok hei'!

MPOV: Teppan Tsen

My rating: 3/5
Location: TK-9 Third Floor, Atria Shopping Gallery
Website: www.sushitsenmalaysia.com

This place is always packed so we just had to try lah when it wasn't as packed that day.

Our late lunch platters:
Mutton Set RM18.70
Chawan Mushi RM2.75
Edamame RM2.75
Ebi Curry Rice RM16.50
2 glasses of Green Tea RM3.20
6% service tax RM2.63
Total bill amounts to RM46.55

Overall, nothing to shout about but great to fill the hungry tummy. Thankfully my prawns were fresh and not fluffed with thick tempura powder! I've actually preferred hub's mutton which was tender and tastefully cooked. A great place for a nice Japanese meal with affordable pricing.

MPOV: Kim-Zen

My rating: 3/5
Location: T05 Third Floor, Atria Shopping Gallery
Type: non-halal

This restaurant looks exclusive but when we saw the menu, it's actually affordable.

So here's a simple lunch set we had the other day:
Steam rice with chicken leg RM9.40
Steam rice with minced pork RM9.40
Spare rib soup RM7.30
2 glasses of plain water RM2.20
10% service charge RM2.67
So total bill was RM30.95

Overall, it was a satisfying and fulfilling meal. The food was tasty enough and the portion was big in my books. I actually liked the fact that the rice was steamed hence the healthy feeling ya... do note for steamed rice it takes a while to be served.

Other than that, for the pricing at a mall, it was okay except for the plain water which cost RM1.10 per glass. I do hope it's 'diamond water' since it's so expensive LOL! Plus with the 'atas' feel and air-conditioned, it's nice for a family meal here.

MPOV: Bean sprout chicken with rice or hor fun

My rating: 3/5
Location: 16 Jalan USJ 4/6B, UEP Subang Jaya
Type: non-halal

We chance upon this new chicken rice shop, though the signage has not yet changed to this, and pleasantly surprised by the variety available.

It's only available for dinner but I liked that they stated everything upfront and even in English! So banana's like me can read ya!

Overall, although nothing to shout about, food itself was fulfilling and not overly priced. Chicken meat was tenderly soft with yummy tender pork balls. If I remember correctly, our total bill was RM22 and I was totally filled to the brim! Definitely a pleasant dinner for a simple night out which doesn't cost a bomb!

MPOV: Li Restaurant

My rating: 4/5

Type: non-halal

Location: 5 Jalan SS 22/23 Damansara Jaya

I've always been curious as to why this restaurant is always packed even though the prices are on the high side. So we decided to have our tea break here one day and surprisingly, it was nice.

House made sourdough with butter, sea salt and kaya RM7; Piccolo RM9

I've really enjoyed my sourdough albeit a little too hard due to it's texture and being toasted. Simple rustic tea time which was fulfilling for me.

Pork Toast Normal RM9.90; Lemongrass RM7

Hub's pork toast was very rich in taste! So fusion like and very nice!

Total bill was RM36.20 inclusive of 10% service charge (RM3.29). Not exactly a cost effective tea time but worth a try nonetheless. Aside from the friendly staffs and great ambience, their menu is quite unique and authentic. Also the quality fared better with the quirky attractive display :-) Worth another visit in the near future!

MPOV: go Thai

My rating: 4/5
Type: non-halal
Location: T 25 - 28, Atria Shopping Gallery

An impromptu late lunch here hence the quiet ambience. I definitely liked the decorations with many vintage tiffins and whatnots! Surprisingly, the food is as tasty as those in Bangkok!

Iced Longan RM4.90 and TTK Ice Cream RM7.90

Cooling yet refreshing desserts!

Khao Kha Moo RM11.90

This was definitely what we were looking for! It tasted similarly to those found in Bangkok! The only setback was the meat wasn't as tender and soft. Maybe it hasn't been broiled enough yet. Other than that it was good!

Kai Jeaw Poo RM24.90

Total bill was RM50.40 including of ice water RM0.80. Of course the price is not comparable to those in Bangkok, which is way cheaper there, but the overall taste and quality of food was good. Not forgetting the service was quite efficient and the staffs were friendly too. It's definitely a place worth visiting again though not as often, perhaps whenever the craving acquiesce.

MPOV: Paradise Dynasty

My rating: 3/5
Type: non-halal
Location: Lot G21, G22 & GA21, IPC Shopping Centre
Website: www.paradisefnb.com.my
Facebook: @paradisegroupmsia

Having our lunch here was kinda a mistake as it was expensive! Thankfully it was fulfilling or else it would have felt like fine dining LOL!

Original XLB 6 pcs RM15.90

The dishes we've ordered were based on the photos in the menu, aside from XLB which was a must have for us! XLB was of average taste though.

Shredded Pork in Black Sauce RM24.40

It was nice to wrap in the thin popiah skin but the shredded pork still tasted a little bitter for me albeit tender and soft.

Prawn & Pork Dumpling RM20.65

This dumpling dish was definitely Szechuan style as it's so spicy!!! It truly hit the roof, so to speak!!!

Crispy Spring Roll RM10.25

Simple crispy vegetable spring roll with nothing much else inside.

Puer Tea for 2 pax RM7.50
Wet tissue RM1.50
Tidbits RM3.75
10% service charge RM8.40
6% service tax RM5.04

Total RM97.40 to which my eyes nearly bawled out! Fine lah since it's supposedly an exclusive Chinese restaurant but those extras charged felt a little too much in my books. The overall service experience sort of made up for the high charges I supposed. It sure is a once in a blue moon kinda treat for me lah... would have opted for something else Chinese but the choice of restaurant was kinda limited in IPC. I'm just glad it was fulfilling for us as we were famished then!

MPOV: Fei Fei Crab Restaurant

Type: Non-halal
My rating: 4/5
Location: 19 Jalan SS 22/11, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feifeicrab/

This is our first time here, recommended by a couple of good -Pokemon Go- friends. It's an air-conditioned seafood restaurant which is cosy yet with a typical no frills ambience. Customers were in and out non-stop, filling up the restaurant fast! Service was prompt and we were efficiently served without much hassle.

As we did not foot the bill, prices below had been Googled so it's a rough estimate on how much the meal would cost.

Vegetable: NA; BBQ Pork Rib +- RM30

This 2 dishes were awesome! Such simple delicacy yet tasted just right! I do recognise the vegetable though I didn't know the dish, it's pretty yummy with so much mushroom and I could taste a tinge of 'flower wine'. The pork rib was sinfully delicious with soft, tender meat + fat 'toing toing' roasted just right!

Fried Chinese Bun +- RM5; Claypot Kam Heong Crab +- RM150

The main dish arrived and all eyes were on the huge crab! Aside from smelling heavenly, it tasted just as sinfully heavenly!!! The bun looked ordinary but it's actually hot and fluffy with crispy skin. Once dipped into the crab's gravy, the combination was like fireworks! The crab itself, though huge, was 100% meat filled! Fresh, succulent with awesome creamy kam heong gravy cooked to perfection! I can never get over this dish, for sure, the taste will stay fresh in my mind for years to come! (still drooling while blogging here LOL!!!)

Honestly, though expensive (estimated RM200++ for 4 pax), it's definitely worthwhile for a once in a blue moon treat to self!!! Overall, it is a perfect gourmet indulgence for me!

MPOV: Josh & Jana

My rating: 3/5
Location: Lot F11-13 Giant Hypermarket Putra Heights
Type: Halal

This place is usually crowded during peak hours so we thought of giving it a try.

Set A RM13.11

Set F RM17.83

Total bill was RM30.95 which was a little over the top for me though it's in a retail space. Aside from the prompt service and friendly staff, the food quality was not on par. I find it a little lacking for such ambience. Maybe I expected more since it's always crowded or I had ordered the wrong dish? My sambal had some burnt taste to it. Chicken was a little over cooked. Cucumber was bitter. Other than that, all tasted as usual, nothing distinctly different. Good to go to when raining and just filling up the tummy.

Know your kuehs

Kuehs are desserts in English and the list here are some of the famous local desserts. I can never remember it all even though most of it are my favourites. So am keeping it here for my reference :-)

Bangkok: last day @ Terminal 21

All good things must come to an end... le sigh!

Well, it's the last day of our trip and we've decided to walk to Terminal 21 which was about 15 mins walk from our hotel. Having lunch at Bar-B-Q Plaza was the main reason we were there and it was definitely the right decision! We have always enjoyed Bar-B-Q Plaza in Malaysia so we wanted to check out if there's any difference compared to the original in Thailand. So we finally had our answer and it's a huge YES! I truly loved the combo here with fresh thickly sliced meat, fresh huge bacon, fresh tender chicken and many more... everything here is awesome! So unlike the ones in Malaysia where the thinly sliced meat is so transparent and easily torn off! This will be our fixed itinerary the next time we are in Thailand!

I visited the toilet next and tadaaa... it even has various themes! I was obviously at a bakery themed toilet... so damn creative and comfortably clean!

I saw this robot waiting to serve a customer at this shop! So canggih right?!!!

Time for a tea break at Auntie Anne's!

Then it was time to head back to our hotel and our booked cabbie. Funnily, saw this billboard advert while stuck in the traffic jam on the way to the airport. It's a birthday greeting from this boy's fan club... definitely a very rich fan club! Unfortunately, I do not know who this is...

We had dinner at the airport while waiting for our flight. When our food arrived, we were surprised it's different from the photo on their signage, hmmm.......

Can spot the huge difference?

Finally, on board our flight back to the real world...

Adios Bangkok! See you next time!