Warung Bali

I was planning to write about autumn in Japan after my trip with some friends from KBF to Arima onsen (natural hot bath) earlier this week, but alas my camera was broken :( So instead I opted to finish my postponed writing about this subarashi authentic Indonesian restaurant in Kobe where I have been a loyal customer from day one. The name is Warung Bali (http://www.warungbali.com/). The owner is a Balinese man who is married to a Japanese lady. Other than 'Warung Bali', there used to be another authentic Indonesian eating place in Kobe named Rasa Sayang. Quite interestingly, this one is owned by a Javanese lady who is married to a Japanese man. I used to alternate going to these two restaurants every week, or sometimes when I'm food-homesick, I'd go to both in the same week. Too bad without any warning, this restaurant was suddenly closed. I hope Mbak Siti and her husband are doing fine.

Anyway about Warung Bali, the oishii (karai, on request) food is only half the attraction.. the other half is the owner who is famously referred to as Mas Made.. outgoing, funny and wise man. He represents the general image of the peace-loving-Balinese people. Plus with his experience living in different countries, he has got a broader perspective on many issues in life. A bit on this, I do believe that living in different countries is really an eye-opener. The world is no longer so small like you once knew and what once was normal to you suddenly is no longer normal and vice versa; what is strange to you could be so normal in other places. I myself have been tremendously blessed with the chances to experience it and am forever grateful. Although the road hasn't been easy at many times, especially with my strong distaste for flying and my motion-sickness-prone-body, travelling alone long distance is really never enjoyable. But to be able to look back and see how much my horizon has expanded, how I've changed to a better, more accepting person is truly wonderful.

Now, back to Warung Bali, sometimes I go there just because I want to have a nice chatting time.. especially during the beginning of my stay in Japan when I felt lonely so often.. At one memorable occassion, I was sick with flu and feeling very low.. I went there, had some yummy home food and was even given some lemon to take home to treat my sickness.. it wasn't the biggest act of kindness, but given the circumstances, it touched my heart deeply and I always remember it.

Mas Made has a big heart.. he cares a lot about his country. He actively promotes Indonesia to Japanese people.. hoping to attract more of them to come and visit Indonesia and thus help to improve the welfare of people there. He helped some young Balinese guys to come to Japan to work so that they could have a better life. He thinks about long-term and long-way benefits, instead of just trying to get as much money as possible today and don't care about the consequences and the future.
Then most of the time after discussion about different topics, from politics to economy to latest news in Indonesia to Japanese people :p, he'll end it with some funny, sometimes silly remarks. Typical Indonesian, I think..

Getting back on the food track..frankly speaking, the meal cost is a little pricey; expect to pay between 2,000-3,000 yen and could easily be more. But of course, you get good quality food with it. The best money-valued and my favorite meal is nasi campur which costs 1,500 yen. It comes in a plate of rice with mixed food: gado-gado, sate, perkedel, tempe goreng, and meat. And of course a small plate of sambal.. hmm.. yummmm... some days when I feel like to, I'd order pisang goreng (banana fritter) as desert.. and then I'll go home fuuull and satisfied :)
That's all about Warung Bali.. one of my oasis in Japan