Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki at Jimbaran, Bali

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The following day at the Karma Kandara, we got a phone-call from our friend, Benny who lives in Bali. The message on the other end of the phone was clear. “I am going to take you to eat the best Nasi Ayam in Bali”!

It was called Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki and situated in Jimbaran, approximately 20 minutes out from the hotel.

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It was love at first sight. Immediately, I knew I was going to like this place!

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Looking around, the place was packed to the rafters. Fortunately, we found a place to sit. Benny did the ordering for us, and we settled down to wait for lunch that looked and smelt so good form a distance. My head was splitting. If I did not eat in the next half hour, I felt I was going to pass out.

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Then, it arrived.

Ah, so this is the famous chicken rice. The rice itself was fluffy, fat and white. The steam was making me salivate. Then my eyes fell on the chicken.The style it was prepared in is none other than the ‘Bumbu Bali’ way of  marinading, with lots of local Indonesian herbs. Moist and fragrant, it screamed to be eaten. Upon taking my first bite, the tender and supple flesh just melted away, and then I hit the lovely crispy skin. The aroma of the seasoning was sensational! The best chicken I have ever had in Bali for sure. However, again the size was a matter of concern for me and I found the portion too small for my liking. No matter, as we ordered two helpings of the chicken! Benny watched in amazement as we devoured the portion of Nasi Ayam, made for two. All he could mutter with a smile was, “I’m happy you like it!”

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Balinese cooking is heavy on flavour and there is nothing subtle about the taste of it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really tasty but if you like lighter tasting food, this is not for you. Many Balinese have a one spice mixture called base gede or bumbu bali that they prepare in a large quantity and use in their everyday cooking.  It’s like all-spice, Balinese style.  We found this bumbu bali seasoning sweet and spicy but not too spicy that you break a sweat eating it. It is also bursting with the flavour of rempah (herbs). We could taste in the bumbu bali, herbs such as shallots, onions, garlic, red chillies, galangal root or ginger,  tumeric, coriander seeds, kemiri/candlenuts, dried shrimp paste, black peppercorns, grated nutmeg, cloves and even cumin and sesame seed! Imagine what a potent explosion of flavours, biting into that chicken! I think when Benny and his girlfriend Gaby and family come to visit Kuala Lumpur, we are going to be hard pressed topping this Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki dish! Cumi and I are already planning where to take them for the best Chicken rice in town, but KL style!

Address
Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki ,
Indonesia Jl Uluwatu II Gg Celagi Basur No 3y Jimbaran
Jimbaran
Phone +62-361-8052059, +62-361-8472067
Website
http://www.nasiayamibuoki.com

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After that our host Benny, took us to hangout at the beach on Kuta

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Drinking beer with the fierce ocean breeze in my hair, I felt like a regular beach bum. Life does not get better than this.

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After lunch had settled, Benny decided to bring us for dessert. Cakes at his favourite dessert shop was in order. We headed out to the Bali Catering Company.

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This cozy gourmet cafe is opened daily from 7am until 9pm. Serving an all day breakfast menu the opportunity to create your own salads and sandwiches, this place also does cakes. They serve fresh Illy coffee, both regular and organic coffees and healing herbal teas as well.

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So many cakes on display, it takes you a while to decide..

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We decided on an assortment of cakes and sweets such as the macaron, cheese cake, eclairs etc etc.

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Pastries galore!

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My favourite was the cheesecake. Solid and dense with just the right amount of cheesy flavour, offset by the tangy strawberries. Lovely!

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Benny in action!

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The Chocolate Éclair that was by far Benny’s favourite, was a dainty pastry filled with a chocolate flavoured custard. It was delicious but way too small! I could have eaten three of these, being the pig that I am.

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Cream puffs

Cream puffs coated with sugar – average tasting and a little hard.

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Organic rice that caught Cumi’s attention

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The Lamington

Finally we were even surprised to find the Lamington here in this small bakery in Bali. A Lamington is a sponge cake in the shape of a cuboid, coated in a layer of traditionally chocolate icing then desiccated coconut. Lamingtons are commonly found in Australian cafes, bakeries and that’s why we were surprised to see it here in Bali. Cumi said this version was only so-so. It cannot beat the Lemony ones from Australia nor the Raspberry variety in found in New Zealand.

All in all a great lunch outing. Don’t forget to check out these two places should you visit Bali. A big thank you to Benny for his kind hospitality!

Add:
Bali Catering Company,
Jl. Petitenget 77A Kerobokan
Shop: 62. 361. 8475 115
Fax: 62. 361. 737325
Open: daily 7 am – 9 pm

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