The problem for foreigner to try street food in Bali is stomach upset or known also as Bali belly. To avoid this, you should be very picky not to try from by the street. One of the place to go is called Cafe Wayan. If you were happen to be in Ubud Bali, you could try their Bali specialty cuisine.
Cafe Wayan was started by a Balinese lady as a very small food stall in early 1980-ies. And initially not serving tourists, but the local farmers as they went for a rest from their farm during the midday, or in the evening while going back home.
As more tourists come to Ubud, they also went to try Madam Wayan specialty Bali cuisine in her small food stall. And fast forward 30 years, cafe Wayan has turned into a proper small restaurant with beautiful garden. The farms around cafe Wayan has changed into a little town of Ubud. There are no farmers going to cafe Wayan anymore, only visitors who happen to be in Ubud. This including the author of Eat Pray Love once having her meal here.
Sumi, the manager of this cafe, was a very friendly person. He was always happy when I met him. He would go to the guests and say hello to them. When I was there, he happened to be there. He greeted me and lead me to my table.
I sat down on the chair in the middle of the garden while waiting for my order. I did not have to wait for a long time for my order to arrive, It's the Bali Specialty Cuisine, they called it. It is based on the Balinese traditional mixed rice but with new touch.
In this meal, there was steamed rice, sayur urab or the mixed spicy vegetables with grated coconut, fried prawns, spicy shredded chicken meat, vegetable and pork soup, fried sweet and spicy tempe, minced chicken satay, tomato chili sambal or sauce and prawn crackers. The presentation of the meal was unique, with the rice in the center of the plate, and all the side dish placed around the rice. I must say the presentation is really pretty.
Overall the taste was not spicy (this is if you don't touch the sambal). So, those who are not used to spicy food can enjoy this cuisine. You can always ask the cafe for more sambal or more chili if you like it spicy.
Cafe Wayan has an interesting setting for tables and chairs. Instead of having all the tables and chairs in one big hall, they were spread out in the restaurant yard among flower garden. Some tables were set up for guests that prefer to sit down cross-legged on the floor like the Balinese. And some tables have proper chairs that you can sit down.
The tables are set into little pavilions in the garden. Sitting on the chair in pavilions gives you the feeling of relaxation as you are very close to the nature.
The garden was lush and set up beautifully. There is even a pond with koi in it. A Buddha statue was placed near the pond.
It was a great experience to have my lunch it Cafe Wayan. It is a great place to hang around, relax, and having a great conversation with friends.
Thanks for visiting and reading my post.