Rumah Makan Sari Bundo Jaya — Restaurant in Denpasar Selatan

A couple of evenings ago, me and my family visited a Warung, which is like what we Westerners call roadside kitchen. And as usual we count what we have eaten and drank after finished and about to pay for everything. The man receiving our payment started calculate the cost. But, as all to often happens to us because I'm a Westerner, he counted the bottle of water 3 times, the "kerupuk" we bought (3 pakets) twice (2), our "tea botol" he counted twice (2 ) times, and so forth. My wife di not eat, only me and my daughter. Usually the total amounts to 60.000 IDR. But because this guy counted everything twice or even thrice, two meals totalled 160.000 IDR. The Warung in question was "Warung Muslim" in Sanur. And its simply despicable that such behavior can be allowed to go on. if the owners want loyal customers, than this practice needs to STOP. because now we will NEVER again visit this place, Warung Muslim. Simply because I hate cheaters and thieves. Because things like this happen to much, because I am "bule" i need to give Indonesians a "heads up". Such a practice makes the reputation of Bali go down considerably. It is a practice that makes me furious, and i swear to God, every place of business that does this i will never ever visit again. Don't these businesses realize they are loosing customers by continuing behaving like this?? Only stupid people does this. because the profit you may aquire is so small compared to what a loyal customer can provide with many visits. And i don't believe that Indonesians are stupid. but some Indonesians are surely making ALL Indonesians reputation go down. Not clever. Bad practice. And the food is good, but this practice ruins it all. All because I'm a "bule". Very bad. 160.000 IDR when I KNOW normally we pay (for 2 persons) maybe 80.000...

You don't go to a Rumah Makan Padang for the atmosphere. It is all neon and linoleum with overhead fans and no air conditioning. What you go for is the food. It is unique and a lot of Westerners will be disconcerted by it. It emanates from Sumatra. The most famous dish is Rendang, usually beef but also chicken. Slow cooked, highly spiced, with a wonderful thick sauce. Fantastic! Don't assume you have sampled rendang at another restaurant. It is widely copied nowadays, but is invariably a pale, stew-like reflection of the real thing. When you walk into this traditional Muslim eating house, point to what you want. They will load it onto a plate or offer takeaway in a leaf package. They will also offer water or soft drink, but no alcohol. It is all business-like if not especially friendly, they are honest, and the price is very reasonable. My Batak (north Sumatran) friend says that this is his favourite Padang restaurant in the region because its flavours are so authentic. Visiting a Rumah Makan Padang is its own cultural and culinary experience. And if like me, you are fortunate, you will fall in love with what it...

This is a local warung, canteen style, simple, clean and cheap. Staff are friendly but don't speak much English. Admittedly seeing food, pre-made on display in the window, does not resonate with me and it took me a while before giving it a go, however it is a busy store and too date all my meals have been fresh and I now go there regularly.

The jackfruit is excelent, my usual order is, rice, jackfruit, local greens (like spinach), piece of tuna (but it's not tuna as it is a white meat), add green chilli and curry sauce. There is something else I enjoy but I don't know how to describe it, looks like the top of a mushroom but with a firm potatoe texture served with chilli and giblets.

Disclaimer, I like authenitic, different flavors and appreciate diverse flavors...