Balinese-Inspired Cafe Creates Inventive Classical Dishes With Flavourful Unique Twists
Transport yourself to Bali for a day, and indulge in some momentous classics.
By Wayne Garreth — 31 May 2022, 04:25 PM
Step away from Malaysia for an afternoon and into a Balinese restaurant that'll widen your palette
Kafe Bali is an elevated Balinese restaurant located in Bandar Puteri Puchong, just 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of KL.
Elegant and extravagant, step inside this eatery and be whisked away to Indonesia for a few hours of good food and stellar embellishments.
Recently opened this past April, Kafe Bali has been expounding on their restaurant in a short period of time. They have demonstrated that while they may be new to the food and service game, they're ready to capture the attention of a widespread audience looking for some hearty Balinese favourites.
Entering Kafe Bali, we were taken by the detailed vernacular accents throughout the restaurant that somehow manage to amalgamate natural decorative elements with charming Southeast Asian minimalism, creating a paradise away from the busy streets of Puchong.
From rattan light fixtures that illuminate the locale, to the charming 'bird nest' thrones scattered throughout the eatery, this is one of the most Instagrammable places we've visited in awhile. The ceiling-high windows boast natural lighting that radiates the beautiful interior design fixtures.
Fun fact, almost every piece of furniture within the cafe was flown in from Bali!
Though there are no private rooms within the vicinity as of yet, sectioned off seating options upstairs give a cosy and intimate feel, so you'll be able to dine in semi-seclusion if need be.
We opened our tasting session with a mixture of drinks from coffees to mocktails
Each of us was served with a glass of Pandan Water from the very start. Grassier than normal water, it was a good buffer for the strong Balinese flavours that eventually came our way.
Dynamic and bubbly, the Chili & Mango (RM17) signature mocktail was a rollercoaster of flavours from the first sip. Mixed with mango, lemon, lime, orange, and a touch of red chilli padi in sparkling soda, this drink was refreshing and quenching.
Moving to the cutely named Kayu Manis (RM17) coffee, the fresh brew of espresso had a jolly stick of cinnamon in its glass as an aromatic accessory. Creamy and different from your typical coffee orders, there was a good balance of Gula Melaka that was a sweet relief.
Be warned though, this would probably not be your typical 'early morning coffee order'. Rather, it is a wonderful addition if you're kicking back for a lively brunch with your friends.
Trying their Kopi Apokat (RM17) was an equally delightful treat for those who aren't typical coffee drinkers. In this concoction, we were served a fresh blend of creamy avocado topped with palm sugar syrup. A fun gag for those with short attention spans is the accompaniment of a shot of espresso next to the avocado blend, so you can play bartender and create your perfect coffee mix.
Thick and rich from the blend of avocado, the milkshake-like texture of this drink is once again, not for the quintessential coffee drinker. Yet, for those adventurous enough to take the risk and order this brew, the risk does pay off if you love a silky smooth avocado swill.
Control the caffeine level to your own preference, and choose either a sweet shake for the go, or a coffee and avocado fusion.
We couldn't resist, and dunked the whole thing in!
Seated and ready to eat, we were served up some Balinese classics with a flavourful twist to the dining experience
Beginning with starters, we were served both 'Sops' (soups) from their menu of, give or take, 20 items.
The first of the duo, Sop Jamur (RM18), was a creamy mushroom soup served with roasted garlic croutons and a pinch of 'Sambel Goreng'. Dense and delicious, this soup definitely lived up to its velvety description, though it is definitely grainier than your typical mushroom soup. A good opening for impending dishes, this soup would even make a great snack if you're not looking for a full meal.
Moving on to their Sop Tomat (RM18), this piece was a blended roasted tomato soup, also with 'Sambel Goreng', and a pinch of basil on top. A more textured soup, the filling provided within the blend was generous and plentiful, that kept us on our toes. Tangy with hints of sour that pierced our taste buds, those looking for a collage of spice and citrus will enjoy this soup.
Southeast Asian salads can be severely underrated, and that was the case with the Tipat Cantuk (RM21), a Balinese warm salad with grilled chicken, fried beancurd, rice cake, and boiled egg, that was served with tamarind peanut sauce.
Hardly able to imagine it ourselves, this dish almost rose to being best of the day, had it not been for another coming later in this review. Dynamic and stimulating to every flavour receptor in our mouths, the multi-layered dimensions was a lovely surprise, especially for a salad.
We then proceeded with the first main course, Soto Macaroni (RM26). An interesting reinvention of the classic 'Mee Soto', this dish saw the substitution of yellow noodles with macaroni instead. Hearty and comforting, this warm crock of pasta would do perfect for a cold, rainy day. Not as spicy as its traditional counterpart, those looking for a simple plate of food with solid flavours will enjoy this good attempt at a remake.
Though the past four dishes were respectable and delightful, these next two climbed their way to the top of our favourites for their bold flavours
Getting into the thick of it, the Fried Fish Ciabatta (RM27) was a blowout, and definitely claimed the title of best dish.
Served in a carved slice of ciabatta bread, the contents of this sandwich included a deep fried marinated fillet fish topped with apple sesame coleslaw and cilantro mayo. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, the oscillation between the delicate spice of the fish fillet and the nippy coleslaw provided a great balance in flavour.
The fish fillet itself was well-done, stringy, and steamy when sliced into. If you're visiting Kafe Bali, this is one dish off the menu you cannot go pass.
Continuing with another favourite from their 'Roti' menu, the Siap Gulung (RM26) wrap was something out of a parallel universe, where Taco Bell originated from Bali instead of California.
With pan-grilled chicken fillet, mixed green vegetables, and tomatoes lathered in 'Apokat' ranch dressing in a sun-dried tomato wrap, this plate of food was an ideal snack for fast eaters.
Generous with their filling and sauces, sink your teeth into this tortilla for an explosion of vibrant flavours. Served with a side of potato wedges and dipping sauce, the wrap was sturdy enough to hold the multitude of ingredients that boast subtle nuances in typical Indonesian flavours.
As the savoury dishes stacked up nicely, it was only appropriate that we gathered our expectations to see if the desserts could match their performance
A tea-time must, we opened the dessert segment with a hot Latte (RM13) made with Nusantara beans, and served with a peanut-and-sesame brittle bite. Kafe Bali's in-house roast, this bean is grown in the region of Sumatra and Java Indonesia, approximately 1,200 metres above sea level.
With hints of dark chocolate complementing the coffee, this mocha-like serve was a delicate evening treat. In comparison to the other coffees tasted earlier on the list, this piece would be a coffee lovers dream.
Another fun tidbit of Kafe Bali, is their spread of French pastries displayed at the counter, that are made fresh for customers to pick up if they want a quick treat. Trying the Vegan Crown, the light and airy confection was the simplest of the lot. While there was really nothing superb to comment on, the pastry itself was hot and buttery.
Diving into their 'Manisan' dessert section off the menu, we tried a slice of their Soft Baked Cheesecake (RM18) with handmade pineapple topping. Resembling the texture of chutney, the pineapple topping added sweetness to the creamy and concentrated cheesecake.
Ultimately, the crowning glory ended up going to a marvellously constructed cake, with pizzaz in presentation and piquancy.
The Lemon, Poppies & Lychee (RM21) cake was gorgeous in every aspect. From the tantalising topping of lychees on the slice, to the lavish and bountiful sprinkle of dried rose petals across the plate, this fluffy cut checked every box when it came to flavour.
Fragrant from the freshness of the lychees, this candied cake was zesty and heavenly to have. If you need something to brighten you up, this cake would be just the treat you seek.
Overall, our dining experience at Kafe Bali was satisfying and gratifying, all including how they opened their doors just two weeks before our visit
Hardly any complains to go by, we appreciate the keen details achieved by Kafe Bali in such a short span of time since their opening. From weaved plates for the food to be served on, to traditional facets featured in every dish, we tip our hats to the servers who were attentive to our requests. Our dishes arrived within minutes of our order, displaying an organised and robust service for their customers.
Though we didn't have time to try everything on the menu, some other interesting items ranged from beef burgers to lamb pennes, and even their own spin on the classic coconut and pandan kuih.
With no reservation system in place yet, you'd better hurry to get a place at Kafe Bali, so to bask in some Balinese bliss.
