Bali Jimbaran (Jakarta Seafood Restaurant)

 

Bali Jimbaran is one of the many seafood restaurants located near Mangga Dua, opposite ITC on Jalan Gunung Sahari. I chose to visit Bali Jimbaran particularly because it had the brightest outside sign, and also because it was the most crowded.

The restaurant is large, with two dining areas on two floors. First, you can select your fresh seafood and fish, and then watch how the cook prepares it in the open-kitchen. It is not a beautiful venue: There is no real decoration, the hygiene looks average, the road nearby is noisy and the aircon is not working properly. As in any open-air restaurants in Jakarta, beware of the mosquitoes as well. On the "plus" side, it looks authentic and the prices are cheap.

We ordered quite many dishes, among which Fish, Squid, Sea Shells and Prawns. I cannot find the bill anymore but the cost was around Rp150,000 (for 2 people). The grill was not available so they fried everything, which proved a bad idea because the cooking oil used was not good quality and they put too much of it. I remember I was quite disappointed, but I still don't know if it is because of the taste of my food, or because I didn't get exactly what I had in mind. My friend was not as severe as myself and he told me he enjoyed his meal a lot, especially the prawns.

 

Overall: I think Bali Jimbaran serves average food, not worth the ride to Mangga Dua if you don't live nearby. They could probably improve the overall atmosphere also, because as it is now, it is far from resembling any restaurants from Jimbaran in Bali...

Opening Hours:

Everyday, from 11am to midnight

Bali Jimbaran Gunung Sahari

Jl. Gunung Sahari Ancol no: 6A, Jakarta Utara
Phone number: +62-21 641 5119/ 641 5120

Facebook: Bali Jimbaran Ikan Bakar

Also in Muara Karang and Jalan Juanda:
Jl. Muara Karang Raya no: 121, Jakarta Utara
Phone number: +62-21 666 01901 / 666 01903

Jl. Ir. H. Juanda Raya no: 31B, jakarta Pusat
Phone number: +62-21 384 5215 / 386 5776

Fu Qing Sanur (Mangga Dua)

 

 

I visited Fuqing Sanur, a Chinese seafood restaurant, a day I was lost in Mangga Dua. Since this area is not very crowded with expats or tourists, I was hoping the food would taste good and would not be too expensive.

The restaurant does not look very pretty inside, but it is clean and spacious.  I came in the middle of the afternoon so there were no customers and I had the attention of at least three nice waitresses. By the time I had finished eating, a few people had came in. I would guess it is a popular place to eat in the area, with most clients being regulars. The name, Fu Qing Sanur is a mystery since there isn't anything reminding you of that Balinese village… Maybe it is a way to tell people they specialize in seafood.

The menu is very long, with mainly Chinese dishes, not surprising for Mangga Dua. It includes shark fins, frogs, abalone and pork, but no prices are mentioned so you need to ask the waitresses.

I ordered the steam fish (Red Snapper), for Rp25,000 an ounce (total Rp125,000 - a price below average). Compared to the other restaurants in Jakarta I've tried, it took longer than usual for my food to arrive, around 30 minutes. As I was the first client, maybe the kitchen was not completely ready. The dish looked fine, without being too original, and I was a bit disappointed with its taste: The fish seemed fresh, but the soup was lacking in flavor.

Overall, I did not think the restaurant was a particular gem. It is a random venue, serving the kind of food you expect, at the price you’ve paid for. If you live in the area, I recommend you to try it, though not for special occasions (dates in particular) because its design is very dull.

Contact details:  

Restaurant Fu Qing Sanur Mangga Dua

Jalan Mangga Dua Abdad No 45 (near Hotel Le Grandeur/Dusit Mangga Dua)
North Jakarta

Phone number: +62-21 659 0880 or +62-21 628 5808
Fax: +62-21 628 5779

Lotus Reflexology & Health Massage (Mangga Dua)

Lotus reflexology is by far the best value massage I found in Jakarta. It costs 30,000 rp for 90 minutes of a good foot massage, provided by a woman or man therapist. A health massage is slightly more, but still an inexpensive 50,000 rp for 60 minutes. The facilities are very clean and you can watch cable TV while being take care of. Perfect for sundays after party if you are hanging out in the north part of town.

Lotus is a family spa, not a sleazy joint: Many sexy masseuse but no massage plus plus.. The cost of the massage will probably go up, so please update if you can.

Lotus Reflexology & Health Massage
Mangga Dua Square - 3rd floor
Tel: (021) 6888 4849

Open from 10am to 8pm