Tired but happy with the sourcing and outlet shopping we’ve done for the day, we asked driver where we could eat in Jimbaran Bay. We had to cancel our plans to see the sunset at Tanah Lot. We, or rather I, finished outlet shopping at 4pm already and seeing the traffic on Jalan Ngurah Rai we would just have wasted our time because there was no way we were going to make it. And the driver said there is nothing to see there after sunset.
The driver took us to Ganesha Cafe. It wasn’t much to look at. The beach was not very nice and there was a fishy smell in the air. We sat al fresco but there was no sunset to see because the sky was very cloudy. Thankfully there was some bollywood music playing in one of the many fishing boats docked nearby so it was great for the ambiance (this is my failed attempt at being sarcastic). We were a bit puzzled though because friends told us that Jimbaran Bay is like Dampa, but it didn’t feel like Dampa at all.
The al fresco dining area
We had some beers while deciding what to order. They have good complimentary garlic peanuts. Perfect with the beer.
Big bottle of Beer Bintang (Rp 35,000)
After beer hubby decided to find a table inside because it looked like it was gonna rain. So smart of him, because we were able to find a table by the windows – but even then boy was it warm inside!
The spread. We ordered 1 Kilo live crab, 1/2 Kilo king prawns, 1/2 Kilo clams. Rice, soup, vegetables and fruits for dessert are complimentary.
Complimentary soup with fish. Nothing great.
The Grilled Garlic Butter Clams sure didn’t look 1/2 a Kilo =( Not as tasty as other Jimbaran restos
We asked them not to make the Fried Chili Crab too hot, but this has to be the spiciest chili crab I’ve ever had. We were sweating so much we finished the box of tissues on the table wiping it off! It was so spicy that the subtle flavour of the crab was totally lost and it wasn’t pleasant to eat.
We were sweating so much we finished the box of tissues on the table wiping it off! I think next time, we will definitely take E’s recommendation and order everything, including the crab, BAKAR or Grilled.
Also, I wanna know what they mix to make the water for cleaning your hands after. It worked wonderfully! Anybody know what’s in that mixture? Care to share? =)
Yes this is supposed to be 1/2 Kilo Grilled King Prawns. This the best of everything that we ordered, but it was overcooked and dry.
When you are in Jimbaran bay, look for one of the corn vendors on the beach and ask for Sambal Butter Corn. Poom. (as my friend E would say) It was the
The sambal butter corn was so good that we decided to eat in Jimbaran Bay again the next day. We just couldn’t get enough of it. Does anyone know how it’s made? Do share!
Yes that is an ashtray beside the toilet paper roll. How convenient for smokers =P I found this so strange, I just had to take a picture! They smake so much in Indonesia that there are ashtrays in the toilet stalls.
In summary, we found that the food was highly overpriced and I have a feeling that the weighing scales were rigged because I definitely think we got LESS than what we paid for. For this meal, we paid a total of Rp 0.5 Million. Way too much for the amount and quality. I will not go back here.
I know have several friends, who were also taken to Ganesha on their first trip to Bali. Usually it is because they, like us, asked their driver for a recommended restaurant in Jimbaran. When I did some searching on the net, I discovered some cautionary tales about Jimbaran restaurants in Bali:
- Rigged weighing scales so you get less than the weight you are paying for
- Giving “referral fees” to drivers who recommend their restaurant. Usually a percentage of what you spend during your meal.
I have a sinking feeling that this is why so many drivers recommend Ganesha when there are so many other restaurants that make better and cheaper food. If it’s true then this is why we spent so much for so little food that’s below average.
UPDATE
Also avoid New Moon Cafe in Jimbaran. Bad reviews on TripAdvisor and I personally did not have a good experience with this.
I would recommend these restos in Jimbaran instead:
– Menega Cafe – Our favorite in Bali. Great for lunch and dinner. If Menega is full, or you didn’t make an reservations I can recommend these 2 below. Make sure to ask for kecap manis (pronounced: kechap manis) and, if they have it, garlic sauce. Combine both dips for a mind-blowing experience.
- Kedonganan Beach
- Phone (+62-361) 70 3532, 8585222
- Fax (+62-361) 70 3532
- Email : info@ganeshacafe.com or juli_nyoman@yahoo.com
- Contact person : Mr. July : Mobile +6281 23996910
OMG the corn. that’s how they make the corn in Puncak too but the one in Jimbaran is to die for.
We kept on staring at the vendors ingredients hoping to emulate his recipe, but, eh, didn’t quite work. :p
I heard blue band margerine was the secret.
Next time I must stare at the corn vendor while he’s preparing it too! It really is to die for! Do you think they boil the corn before they grill em? I tried grilling corn before, but it comes out a bit hard and not as juicy.
Hello,
I stumbled upon your travel serie about Indonesia. You have a really nice blog.
If this might help, I want to share the Sambal Butter Grilled Corn here. The secret of it is firstly the corn itself. You ought to use the whole sweet corn. During grilling, drizzle the corn with melted butter mixed with chilli sauce constantly. Some prefer to put a dash of coconut milk (santan = the extract you get from grated coconut mised with lukewarm water)for more savory taste.
FYI, Jimbaran Bay is divided in three beaches from North to South: Kedonganan, Jimbaran and Muaya. Coming from Kuta area, Kedonganan is the first beach you pass (North). Unfortunately most cafés at Kedonganan don’t serve the seafood as they used to be when Jimbaran Bay was emerging. Not the mention the bill they charge you. So next time in Jimbaran Bay, go to the cafés at Muaya Beach, to the direction of The Four Seasons. They still serve good quality seafood with a decent price.
Happy traveling!
Dear Lorraine, thank you so much for the information! It’s so great to get first-hand information! I was wondering though how come the corn is so soft? Do they boil it first before grilling? Because I’ve tried grilling corn before and it can sometimes come out pretty hard.
Very useful information on Jimbaran Bay! Most of the people we just asked would just say Jimbaran bay not realizing that it’s divided into these areas, which is why we just depended on our driver the first time. I really loved eating near the four seasons area rather than the area of Ganesha. Now I know what to call the beach, next time we come over! Awesome. Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I hope to hear from you again! Info on Indonesian and traveling recos are most welcome here!
You are very welcome! There’s no need to boil the corn first as long as you use the young one. I will gladly share more information about Indonesia as I will visit the country this summer (the whole month of July). My itinerary is Jakarta (my hometown till 1995), Bandung, Yogyakarta and Bali (Candidasa, Ubud and Seminyak area). I plan to write this on my blog for the complete review when I get home.
I have many restos to recommend especially the ones in Ubud. They are simply amazing. I think you must put some of my fave resto’s on your to do list should you go visit and stay at Ubud:
Clear Cafe at Jl. Hanoman serves organic food (price: moderate)
Warung Lada at Jl. Hanoman serves Balinese food warung style. Come there around noon for the fresh meals (price: cheap)
Babi guling Ibu Oka at Jl. Suweta/Tegal Sari. Succulent, spicy suckling pig balinese style (price cheap)
Balinese pork sate in front of the temple at Jl. Raya Ubud, at the right site of the Ubud Market. Cheap street food available after dark, so after 6 pm.
Cinta Grill and Inn at Monkey Forest Road (price: moderate). This is a part of a resto group called Bali Good Food.
Café Wayan & Bakery at Monkey Forest Road (price: moderate).
I hope to find new eateries there during my coming holiday. If you need any reco’s about other places just let me know.
BTW as an expat living in Jakarta, have you ever tried the divine creambath? It’s highly recommended.
Thanks so much for the recommendations! I think I will be in Bali in June. I’ve been to Babi Guling Ibu Oka however I haven’t written about it yet. I’ve so much photos to post on my previous trips to bali, lombok, jogja… I’m so behind! There is so much stuff to see and do than time to write about it! I’ll definitely try my best to check out your recos! Yes I’ve tried the cream bath, however I’ve only tried it in Johnny Andrean. Can you recommend any other salon – that an expat can try but is not expensive? Again thanks I really appreciate the info and looking forward to reading about your visit here in July!