Dine with Geishas and Samurais at Ji Restaurant Bali

My love for Japanese food is always there, I have tried some Japanese restaurants here in Bali and finally had a chance to try Ji Restaurant, the best Japanese restaurant in Canggu Bali. It's located at Tugu Hotel, Jl Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu. It's a small street near Canggu Beach but very popular with  tourists and there are many good restaurants here.

Tugu Hotel is a small privately owned and designed collection of luxury art hotels and restaurants with a mission to bring back to life the art, soul and romance of Indonesia’s yesteryears. They don't have many rooms, but it's spacious and unique filled with many Indonesian antiques. Since the owner is an art collector. Today, his vast collection of Indonesian art and antiques are housed exclusively in these beautiful boutique museum hotels and restaurants for the world to experience. Immerse yourself in the romantic stories and legends of ancient Indonesian kingdoms and be a part of history that you can touch and feel.

They have 2 entrances. The one is by the street, you can see the wine cellar beside the entrance. The other one is this one on the photo, I like this one more, it really feels like Japanese because of the bamboo and decoration, also from the Budha statue. This entrance is located near Tugu Hotel's entrance. 

History of 'Ji'

Ji at Balesutra 1706

Ji at the Bale Sutra is housed in an original ancient Kang Xi period temple from 1706. This 310-years-old Kang Xi period temple was almost demolished in the 1990s in Java, and was transported and reconstructed in its entirety at Hotel Tugu.

JI Story

A majestic blend between the old Chinese and the old Balinese cultures, this ornate and elegant dark wood temple features beautiful carvings and details of mythological animals all over the roofs and ceilings. It was originally a family temple that had been used for generations, before it was saved and found by the founder/designer of Tugu Hotels & Restaurants, the antique collector Anhar Setjadibrata. The beautiful temple is now housed in a red room that features a delicate 18th century Goddess of Mercy, as well as numerous artifacts, heritage of the grandiose lives of barons and Balinese sovereigns from past centuries. Coloring the red walls are black and white full-sized portraits of Balinese monarch rulers as well as original Chinese paintings from Qing dynasty.

The cuisine at JI is inspired by centuries old cooking tradition from Japan, as well as other East Asian countries, with focus on classical art of grilling (robata) as well as the finer arts of sushi in bringing beautifully delicate flavors of Asia to guests’ tables.

Unique Dining Experience in a Museum

Ji Restaurant has several areas, when we first enter the restaurant, there's bar area, then step into dining area. On the second floor, they have lounge and outdoor area, nice for drinking and chit chatting. They also have a very nice area with sea view on second floor (still in renovation, open soon!), I bet this will be the best spot for having dinner or just some drinks.

DJ performance at bar area

Dining Area

Beautiful and detail Balinese carving on the furniture

Dining Area

I love the atmosphere here, it feels so deep and artistic. So many beautiful paintings and statues that accompany us while we dine, it feels just like in a museum because they are the original art pieces. The beautiful paintings are beautiful, so many Indonesian histories told here.

All the waitresses and waiters dress as Geishas and Samurais, it's a unique dining experience being served by them. I've never been to Japan before (would love to someday) but in here I can feel the Japan atmosphere well combined with Indonesian taste.

Second Floor area

The second floor area is really cool for chilling out and enjoy the night breeze.

Japanese Food and Cocktail

Ji Restaurant provides an extensive range of cocktail, wine and sake. They provide wine take away and delivery for you who want to enjoy their wine straight from their wine cellar. I didn't try the wine and sake but I tried tasty cocktail here. Don't forget the yummy food, too.

Nice personal touch from Ji Restaurant! My name on the leave as a reservation mark. You can surely bring it home as souvenir, though. ^_~ 

- COCKTAIL -

Coco Sexo (IDR 140K) - Sagatiba Cachaca, Aromatic Coconut, Vanilla, Passion Fruit
The Tugu Gin & Tea (IDR 130K) - Naga tea infused Tanqueray, Aperol, Honey, Lemon)

Coco Sexo

This is my favorite cocktail! The presentation is great with the smoke and the glass, I love the taste, too. It has fruity scent and taste, the combination of vanilla and passion fruit is delightful, it's not too strong, and recommended for people who like mild cocktail.

The Tugu Gin and Tea

This is stronger than Coco Sexo, it gives a uniques taste between tea and cocktail. The star anise also gives a nice finish.

- FOOD -

My Dinner Table

Beautiful Japanese drink and food, love the presentation, it gives an art touch for every single dish. 

Pork Gyoza (IDR 60K)
Pan-fried Homemade Pork Dumplings

Gyoza is a must when it comes to Japanese food. The crispy skin with juicy pork meat inside and soy sauce just melt altogether inside my mouth.

Yellowfin Tuna Tataki (IDR 90K)
Ginger, Garlic, Shoyu, Creme Fraiche, Tobiko

LOVE this dish so much! As an appetizer, this is perfect. Fresh tuna tataki feels light and flavorful especially with the topping and the cream. Surely will be back for this.

Haku (IDR 95K)
Butter fish, Crab salad & avocado topping with spicy tuna & crispy flakes

I like the combination between butter fish and tuna, I love fish sashimi. The crab salad and avocado also gives a fresh touch to the sushi. This one has light taste, good for people who love mild sushi. The spicy tuna is safe for someone who doesn't really like spicy food.

Gyuniku (IDR 75K)
Kobe Style US Beef with Shoyu Chimichurri Sauce

I've never eaten sushi with beef slice before, but this one is so good. The meat is so tender and yummy, feels like eating steak on a sushi. You have to try this one.

- DESSERTS -

Green Tea Chesse Cake (IDR 65K)
with winter berries

This is my favorite here. Imagine cheese cake with subtle green tea taste, it's perfect! Not too sweet, not too rich, its light texture and the rich flavor will make you want some more.

Sweet Bento Box (IDR 65K)

Assortment of 6 homemade sweets, mochi icse cream, lemon meringue, white chocolate pistachio truffles

If you don't know what to choose and want to have a non-heavy desserts, check this one out. I love the greentea mochi, not too sweet and yummy, it melts easily so make sure you eat it first. The one bite size mini lemon meringue is awesome, I love the idea of this mini one.

Overall experience at Ji Restaurant was really great. I've never been to a place like this before. The drink and the food are good, love the interior and atmosphere too. If you crave for Japanese food in Canggu area, don't forget to visit Ji Restaurant.

JI RESTAURANTS BALI

Japanese Fusion, Fine Wines & Sake Bar

at Hotel Tugu Bali

Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong • Canggu Beach, Bali • Indonesia

Opening time: Opening from 5 until 12 pm

Email: ji@tuguhotels.com

Phone Numbers: +62 361 4731701 and +6281239652695

www.jiatbalesutra.com | www.tuguhotels.com

Entrance to Tugu Hotel

Big Garuda Statue at Tugu Hotel's Lobby
Amazing!