PLATARAN CANGGU

First and foremost, HAPPY NEW YEAR! As I am typing this post, I still can't believe that we are in 2019 and on the second week of the first month. My first trip this year was the sweet escape with my family to one of my favorite places on Earth, you guessed it, BALI! I will share more stories on the upcoming blog posts, but in this entry I am going to be sharing you guys my experience visiting the newly opened Plataran Canggu!

I have always been a huge fan of Plataran since...forever I guess, Plataran Menteng is my go-to restaurant when I bring my foreign friends because it's show off worthy: gorgeous glamorous venue, amazing food and service, what's not to love! Being a regular Bali visitor, I am more than thrilled to know that they finally open here so when I am craving for Indonesian food, I now have more options to explore!

I was totally sold to the vibe of the space, imagine lush, calming, green surrounding altogether decorated with this rich Java-Balinese culture value as seen from the architecture and interior details! Totally comfortable to hang around and spend some quality time with your favorite companion and what they have in store, anyway they have two seating areas: indoor and al-fresco, anyway don't worry about the al-fresco seating despite the Bali humidity, thanks to the lush surrounding, it didn't feel hot (I didn't think I sweat lol).

Interior details, very vibey with mostly wood constructing the space! Just like home.

When I scan the menu, the price range doesn't differ much, just slightly cheaper compared to Plataran Menteng! I had some of their best-sellers and some Balinese feast (well just because, BALI!), let's dive into the review!

Complimentary Crackers

If you're a Plataran virgin, when you dine at their restaurants, they'll give you some Indonesian crackers to accompany you while your food is prepared, the crackers then served together with their homemade chili (Red Chili and Sambal Matah), simple delicacy!

Salad Salmon Pomelo - IDR 99k

Such a refreshing starter for to prepare the palate before diving to more food! Inside you'll find generous salmon cuts, salmon roe, pomelo, lemongrass, mint, coriander and all dressed in spicy coconut sauce! Beautiful combo of fresh ingredients which complement one another naturally both flavor and texture wise, you got this beautiful sweet, savory, and tangy combo on each bite!

Nasi Goreng Ijo - IDR 70k

They're known for their Cardamon Steam Rice (IDR 15k) which is basically plain rice with this cardamom aroma which is giving you this 'illusion' of coconut milk rice, but this one was certainly something more interesting, their Nasi Goreng Ijo is DELICIOUS! I didn't expect to like it as much as I did because I initially thought this is just something to munch and pair my mains with, but turns out I finish so much alone! It's not overly spicy for my liking and the flavor is not overly intense so you can still pair this with most food here (read: what I ordered).

Tumis Pucuk Labu - IDR 49k

Another one that I happen to like A LOT! The garlic seasoning was on point, the chayote leaves were absolutely fresh and crunchy, they give fried anchovy on top for texture and a hint of flavor!

Tahu Telor Asin - IDR 75k

Another winning dish for me, their Tahu Telor Asin is another must order! They use Japanese egg tofu for this one, then battered, perfectly fried them and coated the fried battered tofu with their homemade salted egg sauce! SO GOOD! The crunch and thickness of the batter was perfect and the salted egg sauce was really everything: it was fragrant, creamy, buttery!!!

Ayam Dharmawangsa - IDR 125k

Their Ayam Dharmawangsa is a legacy delicacy that has been around for quite some time! It's this chopped fried chicken fillet with shredded mango salad and sweet sour seasoning, anyway I didn't check but if they have the Bistik Ayam Oma in Plataran Canggu, you should go for it, one of my all time favorite menus from Plataran!

Ayam Kari Deli - IDR 125k
If you ask me to name one favorite from the lunch, their their AYAM KARI DELI is one that stands out for me! This has been my all time favorite menu from Plataran, and one that I always *ahem* brag to my foreign friends, this one's mild spicy (for me), but so thick, rich, so flavorful, but in the same time well-balanced. The serving comes with the fragrant buttery Roti Prata and Pomelo (the pomelo's so good at balancing the palate after all the thicky goodness), the downside? The serving here is half of the Jakarta portion (picture below for comparison), but flavor wise, AS GOOD!

Dendeng Batokok - IDR 129k

When you talk about Plataran's iconic signature dishes, you JUST HAVE TO include this on the topic: their Dendeng Batako has been a staple when it comes to the best dendeng batako in Jakarta, thinly sliced dendeng, dry fry and seasoned with this Balado chili jam that might appear spicy but it really didn't! Their dendeng is so crunchy and just best paired with rice (read: nasi goreng cabe ijo).

Udang Ramayana - IDR 149k

Another one that you have to order when dining here: Udang Ramayana! Battered shrimp with generous garlic topping! I would love this even more if the batter is less thick and less buttery but the generous fried garlic really help balances everything!

Lawar Kacang Panjang - IDR 45k

Now off to some of their Balinese menus: THIS IS SURPISINGLY ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE MENU from my lunch! Their Lawar Kacang Panjang is SOOO GOOOD! It consist of long beans, coconut, peanut, all seasoned generously! The ingredient's super fresh, flavor is rich with a hint of spicy (do request for less spicy if you can't handle spicy food)!

Ayam Betutu - IDR 89k

Now another one that stood out from my lunch! If you think of this rich and boldly seasoned ayam betutu then Plataran Canggu's the one that might fit what you're looking for, because of how rich this ayam betutu is, this is a tad salty (but with the sambel ijo fried rice, sorted!)! The chicken was fresh, tender, juicy, no complaint on that one! Anyway, the water spinach on the side might look simple but trust me it's THAT GOOD!

Sate Lilit - IDR 59k

Their Sate Lilit is also worth considering: meaty, well seasoned, you know what I am easy to please, as long as sate lilit is tender, well seasoned and still keeping the Balinese flavor around it, I am sold.

If you're craving and looking for good Indonesian food in Bali, and truth be told not that many options (referring to all around Indonesian food not Balinese food), then Plataran Canggu is one that you should definitely consider! Good food, beautiful venue, lovely service. Nothing to against!

Have fun in Bali!