Are you the kind of traveller who plans their vacay around what’s on the menu? If food is a staple on your itinerary, it’s time to head to the hills and make Ubud your home base for your next holiday in Bali.
With a focus on fresh produce and no shortage of award-winning restaurants featuring flavours from around the globe, the island's ever-changing food scene can be difficult to keep up with. And, if we're honest – as much as we love the local food, when it comes to our favourite culinary experiences, Japanese cuisine is hard to beat. Not just made to be eaten, it's a skilled art of vibrantly coloured fresh fish, delicately layered condiments and the showmanship of a fully-immersive experience – right in front of your eyes.
So, to help get you started, we’ve rounded up three of Ubud’s best spots where you'll have the best time – and fill up on some of the most mouthwatering eats around.
Shichirin Ubud
Get amongst the burning embers and smoke at Shichirin – an immersive Japanese BBQ in the heart of Ubud. Merging authentic Japanese cooking techniques with iconic Balinese flavours – here, you’ll get to watch your food grilled before your eyes in an intimate setting of 16 seats. The experienced chefs at this brightly lit restaurant come armed with open-flame hibachi grills – which are put to use creating dishes such as enoki maki drizzled in teriyaki and yakiniku. The rest of the show is equally dazzling: think fresh tuna sashimi and juicy wagyu tenderloin that you can cook on your own hot plate – paired with a Japanese-inspired cocktail or two.
Open: Monday to Thursday, 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm, and Friday to Sunday, 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Kojin Teppanyaki
For an unforgettable meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, you can’t beat Kojin Teppanyaki – a picture-perfect restaurant set within the stunning Aksari Resort. Overlooking Ubud’s lush jungle and serving up mouthwatering Japanese specialities in a romantic setting, this is a perfect date night spot that always has us coming back for more. If you’re stopping in for dinner, you can’t go past the expertly crafted Omakase set menu. An intimate dining experience, not only will you watch the chefs flip, sizzle and rat-a-tat-tat on the teppan, but you’ll also get the chance to learn the philosophy and history behind their iconic menu. Feast on fresh sashimi, world-class wagyu and seared scallops – before washing it all down with a Sakuray cocktail and thank us later.
Plus, if you book with us, you can score up to 40% off your bill with this exclusive offer, or enjoy an Omakase set menu from just AU$65.
Open: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
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Norii Ubud
Norii Ubud is a love letter to Japanese Yakitori, cooking up authentic dishes over a traditional Robatayaki – and bringing people together through food, fun, and immersive experiences. The open kitchen gives a front-row seat to the expert chefs preparing wholesome yet indulgent bites – while the intimate atmosphere transports you to a whole different world. The menu is as you’d expect – a celebration of authentic yakitori dishes featuring fresh tuna ceviche, stuffed chicken wings, mouthwatering shrimp meatballs, and plenty more. As for drinks, you can't go past the shochu highball – one of the many reasons Norii is considered one of the best Japanese eateries Bali has to offer.
Open: Monday to Sunday, 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
Written by Rae-Anne Gouyette
