Skip to main content

Bali Food Review: Bebek Joni (Crispy Fried and Traditional Smoked Duck)

Days into a Bali vacation, I was desperate for some local Indonesian food after having been stuck eating Western or fusion food in Seminyak. Since we were on a day trip to Ubud, we asked our driver to take us to a place where we can eat some local specialties. This is how we ended up at Bebek Joni. 

Many of the other places where you can get local food are either just street stalls or street-side warungs. Bebek Joni sets itself apart by stepping up the ambience game. The tables are large and the dining area is spacious. There are high ceilings and an upscale yet rustic vibe. The best part is the fact that one entire side of the restaurant opens up to views of endless rice paddies.

Bebek Joni
Our selection of house specialties at BEBEK JONI in Ubud, Bali.

We tried “bebek” or duck done two ways. The first one is the Traditional Smoked Duck. That’s what the English menu says but I believe this is actually duck in Balinese betutu sauce. The brownish yellow sauce is a heady mix of spices that are closely related but not exactly the same as a curry.

Bebek Joni
Traditional Smoked Duck served with satay, urap salad and steamed rice)

I say this because the duck does not give off a smoky flavor at all. It makes me wonder why they call this a smoked duck dish. Nevertheless the duck was extremely tender and flavorful. Each portion contains what looks like half a bird. Not a bad serving at all.

Bebek Joni
Crispy Fried Duck served with rice, satay, urap salad, shrimp crackers and sambal)

The Crispy Fried Duck is my favorite. This is served like many traditional Balinese dishes. The main protein sits in a plate with steamed rice, satay, a coconut and string bean salad (urap) and some spicy sambal. The sambal works really well with the crispy duck. I prefer the bird cooked this way because of the texture of the skin. The crunch that it makes as I bite into each piece really whets my appetite.

We washed it all down with susu soda and a filling local meal is complete!
Overall rating: 4/5 stars

Watch the video below to see the place and to hear my full review:



Labels:
Location: Bali, Indonesia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sizzle Your Senses: Kureji's Innovative Japanese Cuisine

Kureji is redefining the Japanese dining experience, one sizzling bowl at a time and I got a chance to see what they have to offer! Since 2018, this innovative restaurant has been captivating taste buds with its signature Sizzling Ramen. This unique dish combines traditional ramen flavors with a theatrical presentation, served on a sizzling hot bowl to enhance the aroma and flavor profile.  Are you curious yet? My friends and I trooped over to Kureji at Ali Mall, Araneta City and sat down for a fun catch-up session over a carefully curated lunch spread. Of course, we had to try their signature Sizzling Tomato Seafood Ramen.  Sizzling Tomato and Seafood Ramen I was a bit skeptical about the tomato-based broth at first, fearing that it might taste more like pasta. However, the rich seafood flavor definitely came through, with just a hint of the tomato tang. The sizzling presentation was definitely interesting, and the interactive experience of timing the exact moment to pour the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Myeongdong Street Food Review: (Video) Seoul, South Korea

Fishcake Myeongdong is one of the most popular tourist districts in the center of Seoul, Korea. Located just on the foot of Mount Namsan and the famous N Seoul Tower, you can’t miss this area if you’re on a tour of the city. One of the big reasons for a visit? Lots of great shopping opportunities and a bustling street food market! In the video below, my friends and I try to sample as much of the food as we can. We  give you honest reviews of each item so that you’ll know what you can’t miss and what you can skip when you visit Myeongdong Street Food Market. Off the top of my head, I highly recommend: 1. Egg Bread (gyeran-ppang/gyeran-bbang). This is sweet and savory at  the same time. Think of it as a your morning pancake and eggs all in one. I even make it with bacon at home. Korean Egg Bread (Gyeran-ppang/bbang) 2. Steak: I can’t be sure if this is the highly regarded Korean beef (Hanwoo) or not. However, I can guarantee that the beef they sell on the street here is much be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Francesco's Launches New Holiday Group Packages And Catering Offerings

Perfect centerpiece: The Francesco's Porchetta Looking for a place to celebrate your upcoming gatherings and celebrations? Francesco’s may have exactly what you're looking for! Located in the heart of San Juan City's foodie district, Francesco's is a great destination for unforgettable group events and personalized catering services. The family-owned restaurant recently revamped its menu and expanded its event offerings. Along with my foodie friends, I got a sneak peek into what's new at the newly-renovated property and also managed to sample many of their traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.  You can't have an Italian theme without the pizza and pasta station! Since its establishment in 2017, Francesco’s has been delighting customers with its authentic Italian cuisine, crafted under the expertise of Chefs Kalel Chan and Francis Lacson. The restaurant recently underwent a transformation to enhance its ability to cater to large and intimate gatherings ...
Post a Comment
Read more