ROMANTIC CULINARY EXPERIENCES AT BANYAN TREE UNGASAN, BALI

By: Christian Stan

From breathtaking cliff-top dining and private seafood barbeques to lively cookery masterclasses, Banyan Tree Ungasan in Bali is the place for culinary-minded newlyweds looking to discover their passion for gastronomic delights. Blessed with stunning natural surroundings and a bounty of fresh produce on its doorstep, the island of the Gods is an enchanting backdrop for romantic food-lovers on their honeymoon.

During the day, couples can take part in a hands-on cookery class for an insightful look into Balinese cuisine. The experience begins with a visit to nearby Pasar Kedonganan, where they’ll have the chance to savour the sights, sounds and aromas of a local, buzzing food market.

Here, guests will be shown what to look for when selecting ingredients before returning to the resort to learn about the secret techniques and ingredients behind Indonesian cuisine under the leadership of the resort’s expert chef. Via interactive cookery classes, guests are given step-by-step instructions on how to prepare traditional dishes such as sate lilit (minced chicken satay on a coconut skewer), lawar kacang (long bean salad) and dadar gulung (Indonesian coconut pancakes) before sitting down to enjoy their creations.

As night falls, couples can let a magical evening unfold at one of several restaurants at Banyan Tree Ungasan. Perched high above the pristine Indian Ocean, Ju-Ma-Na is an award-winning, culinary hotspot serving exquisite cuisine in chic surroundings. Observe the chefs at work in the display kitchen, or opt for dramatic cliff-edge scenery whilst dining on creative French dishes with a Japanese twist. The adjacent Ju-Ma-Na Bar is the perfect spot to sip on cocktails and watch the sun dip below the horizon. Those looking to sample traditional Indonesian cuisine can try Bambu for dishes such the 25-spice roasted duck, whilst Tamarind serves a variety of light and healthy dishes alongside an herbal drinks menu, which includes a range of jamu, traditional Indonesian drinks to relieve aliments and increase wellbeing.