A Day in the Life of a Balinese Fisherman

Penny, the owner was excellent since the beginning of our cooking experience. She asked each of us if we had any kind of special diet so she may prepare in advance. The Bali Asli restaurant vibe is sooo refreshing, the open air, the view. The food is excellent and i love how Penny plating it. We were doing trekking led by Penny and her friend, she stopped once in a while to show and explain us many kind of plants used for meal or medicine. It is an unforgettable experience. I'd love to return again and would recommend this place to anyone who'd like to experience the natural but very well presented dining & trekking experience. Well done Penny!

We were picked up from our accommodation and met the chef at the market. We shopped for the restaurant. He explained many different products in the market. Explaining their health benefits and why that product is used. Tasted many different products in the market. We the travelled to Asli to prepare the food. Chef was very professional and patient. The restaurant has fantastic views ( even from the open air toilets) I must say the food we produced was excellent. I highly recommend this experience. I would certainly go again.

My wife and I were in Bali for our honeymoon. We had booked a cooking school experience through our travel agent before leaving the UK and did not have any idea what it would be like. Penny is such a lovely, interesting, and lively person. We also enjoyed the spectacular views from the restaurant balcony which over looks the rice terraces with Mount Agung (1 of 2 volcanoes in Bali) in the background. We did not realize how close we were because when the clouds passed we could see how big the mountain was (3000m), it was unbelievable as I've never seen anything like it. Penny then took us on a 2 hour trek through Pangi Village where we stopped to see how local villagers tuak wine straight from the palm tree. We also then had the opportunity to taste some, however my wife and I do not drink. The other couple in our group seemed to really enjoy it, as did Penny. We continued our trek through the jungle and rice terraces to reach a family compound where we stopped for coffee and sumping nangka (steamed jackfruit rice cake). The family were very friendly and humble, and were busy weaving banana leaf into baskets. Their house was very interesting to see, especially the kitchen which was very traditional. After returning to Bali Asli we had a refreshing cocktail (non-alcoholic) and then sat down with Penny to taste some ingredients and learn about Bali spices, produce and cooking. We tried turmeric, bali limes, ginger, galangal, kencur, chilli, garlic, shallots, pandan leaves, tamarind, palm sugar, coconut, smelt lemongrass and cinnamon. Then we went over to our cooking stations to begin learning some Balinese dishes - nasi goreng, sumping waluh (steamed pumpkin rice cake), chicken sate and peanut satay sauce, urab paku sayur jepang (a Balinese salad), and fish marinated in bumbu rajang wrapped in banana leaf then grilled (forgotten the name of this one). I strongly recommend that anyone visiting Bali book a cooking class with Bali Asli and enjoy one of the best meals you'll eat with one of the best views you'll see.

Second time to do this experience, the market visit was so good, interesting and a sensory overload. Then coming back to your magnificent restaurant and that amazing view!!! Stunning! We loved learning the recipes and that feast was incredible! And to think we cooked it!

Stopped there for lunch without realizing what an amazing experience we were going to have. View so peaceful. Staff excellent. Food superb. Sparkling clean.