Where’s the best spot to be in Bali at sunset? If you’re scouting for the place to soak up sunsets, with a delicious cocktail in hand, and wind breezes in your hair, Ji Terrace by the Sea would be the ace choice. This restaurant at Hotel Tugu Bali is the island’s new sexy addition, and you can be sure to enjoy every moment with this romantic atmosphere.
Ji Terrace by the Sea has now expanded to over three floors, with a spanking new rooftop terrace that gives you an unrivalled 180 degree view overlooking the Indian Ocean from an elevated height. Well, looking across the whole Canggu, Bali area, looks like this is the highest vantage point you’ll get. Certainly sooo breathtaking that made me want to order a cocktail right here, right now!
Every corner of Ji Terrace is steeped in history and tradition, with entire pieces shipped over from countries around Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, China and Indonesia.. It almost feels like a museum and too precious to be touched. When you are here, do take a tour around every floor and every corner, for a lot of thought has been put in it… yes, even the washrooms. Take your pick at where you’d like to dine at, trust me, every single dining corner is so Instagrammable.
Me and my man right in front of this amazing restaurant ❤
Every piece meticulously picked out.
As the skies quickly turn dark, we bob to the chilled tunes played by the in-house DJ as we started dinner with two cocktails: the Coco Sexo and The Tugu Gin & Tea. I really couldn’t decide which one I preferred.. The Coco Sexo had a fragrant lighter vanilla fruity palate while the Tugu Gin was evidently stronger in its flavours, packing sour and sweet tones. The alcohol amount was just nice to get me in a happy woozy state, but for most people you’d probably need at least two.
The restaurant’s food menu is in excellent hands, with an accomplished team of Japanese & Asian-trained chefs, led by Chef Colin Buchan (previously of Gordon Ramsay restaurants in London as well as Jason Atherton’s Pollen in Singapore and personal chef to David and Victoria Beckham). Just one look at the menu you’d find influences from Japan, Indonesia, India, and Thailand, with a fascinating cacophony of dishes that would keep you excited with anticipation. In particular, they focus on the classical arts of grilling (robata) and sushi to bring beautifully delicate flavors of Asia to their guests’ tables.
For starters, we had the Crispy Arancini Balls, crispy risotto bacon and truffle balls, fried to a crisp but not greasy at all. After the first pop in the mouth, it makes you so eager for the next. It is filled with creamy and gooey rice on the inside, so tasty on its own that you actually don’t really need the curry sauce that comes with it. We also had the Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, served with a dash of creme fraiche and tobiko. It is a light appetizer, perfectly seasoned and soft to the bite, which I really like.
The Ji Rainbow is one of their special maki rolls, with slices of sashimi and avocado, which makes the sushi extra scrumptious and tantalizing on the tastebuds! They have several other makis as well, including the Unagi Blossom (eel and asparagus), the Haku (butter fish and crab salad) and even the “Dragon of Ji’ (prawn tempura, avocado and tobiko). They have pretty good assorted tempura as well, and even wagyu steaks, pork belly, and baby back ribs for the big eaters.
Finish off the meal with a Green Tea Cheesecake and Melted Chocolate Ball, two desserts picked from an array of amazing-sounding sweets :) The chocolate ball is melted through with hot caramel sauce poured onto it, collapsing into a heaven of matcha ice-cream, cashew nut crumble, raspberry and amaretto cream. The Green Tea Cheesecake is accompanied by winter berries, giving a complementary taste to the matcha’s slightly tartness and the cheesecake’s smooth and light texture.
And that’s the end of our trip to Ji Terrace by the Sea.. it certainly is wayy too short, and I would recommend allocating more time to enjoy here, or just simply stay at Canggu for your stay in Bali. We were caught up in one of Bali’s jams that we totally underestimated - story of our lives, so definitely try to avoid this as well.
Don’t miss out on their happy hour here, and did I mention their prices are really affordable too?
Ji Terrace by the Sea’s daily Happy Hour kicks off from 3pm – 6pm each day [with 2 for 1 beers and 30% off all signature cocktails], as well as their Maki Madness Happy Hour where sushi rolls and makis are 25% off from 12pm – 3pm every day. Then on Saturday and Sunday, hit the rooftop for Ji Sunset: sushi, cocktails and live DJs ‘til late!
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I share interesting episodes in life revolving around food, lifestyle, travel and inspirational ideas. If you would like to stay in touch, follow me on my Instagram on @amie.hu and Facebook page!