A Natural Taste of Bali

Recently I was in Bali for TTS Bali Project, to visit some sites and projects that we have been involved with. TTS Bali Project focuses on the rural areas in North Bali. But while in Bali, I wanted to know what was happening with the raw food scene in Ubud. Ubud is often considered the heart of Bali. Though it may be considered the heart of Bali, if you’re into raw or vegan food I wanted to check out if it can be considered the stomach, as well?  I wanted to know if the recent hype that people have been talking about was true!

Raw Food Scene in Ubud – Bali has progressed tremendously within the past year and a half from one Café offering some raw food on their menu to over five cafes and restaurants offering extensive raw food dishes with sustainability in mind. There are now two weekly organic markets in Ubud and numerous restaurants in the category of raw/vegan. There is also a recycling program that services Ubud and the surrounding area.

Bali Buddha – Eco – Sustainability Consciousness Since 1994

My first stop was at Bali Buddha for afternoon brunch. Bali Buddha began in 1994 in order to support a healthy life-style for their communities and families. In 2000 they set out to create a market for organic farmers by concentrating their efforts on raising awareness of health food issues, organic farming and recycling while offering nine raw food dishes on their vegan menu.

Raw Chocolate Pudding $4.00 AUD

The Raw Food PLatter: with Jicama, dried tomatos, cucumber & raw food spread that costed me only $3.20 AUD 

Little K – The First Raw Food Café in Bali

The next day I headed out to Little K for breakfast. Located at The Yoga Barn (Bali's premier yoga center) in downtown Ubud, Bali, Little K offers something different for customers. It offers a culinary innovation in healing foods, with a focus on living raw vegan food. Little K opened in February 2009 and is mostly raw-vegan (accompanied by a small selection of cooked foods for those who feel they need it). The ambiance is garden-romantic with a lovely rice field view, overlooking the terraced lawn & amphitheatre of The Yoga Barn. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Raw Apple Cinnamon Muesli $2.10 AUD

Raw lemon & Banana Pancake $2.90 AUD

Open Garden Pizza $4.20 AUD

Fivelements-  Puri Ahimsa is a Place for 
Learning to Love and Respect Life

I found out about the Fivelements, while I was taking photographs of food at little K. A lady asked me if I had heard about Fivelements? I was really excited as she said that the food there is “ridiculous”. I wanted to know just how ridiculous the food was and so I phoned Keko the owner and made an appointment to do a review on their food.

I got myself a motorbike ride there, as it is a 20-minute ride outside Ubud, in a gorgeous serene atmosphere. On my arrival, I met up with Keko's wife Lahra who is the driving force behind Fivelements. Its focus is on the healing center based on the philosophies and traditions of Bali, including the rituals, healing practices and sacred arts that have existed and evolved in Bali for centuries. 

She showed me around and explained about the principles of their philosophy: “Fivelements is designed with eco-conscious principles, Balinese vastu and sacred geometry, Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa is a place for 
Learning to Love and Respect Life. 

We welcome you to experience sacred healing therapies in our private riverfront suites, Water Meditation pools and Beauty Sanctuary. 
Learn how traditional remedies are prepared in our Laboratorium. 
Join us in ceremony, yoga and other sacred arts.Share a meal at the Sakti Restaurant, offering an inspiring gastronomical healing journey based on innovative living cuisine, 
prepared by our team of devoted Chefs. 

At Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa, we aim to foster a space for 
Life Transformation and Love in Action.”

I had many things on this menu... I will soon post a full article on Fivelements Menu.

Soma – High Vibe Organic Cafe

My last stop before departing Ubud to the airport to fly back to Perth was to visit Soma, in the heart of Ubud. I called Rachel, the owner, and made an appointment to meet up with her. Rachel is by far more interesting in person than the café itself. She is half Balinese and half American, recently moved back to Ubud from New York focusing most of her time with the community. Soma, the restaurant, is only a small part of her expression of what she does. Her presence at the café is lucid, drawing people in without knowing what the café offers… while I was testing her exquisite raw chocolate mint dream people were taking the opportunity to thank her for her work… it gave me goose bumps to see their approach and gratitude toward Rachel. So if you are in Ubud, and you want to experience exquisite raw living foods with a bowl of inspiration, then give Soma a visit.

Lime Pad Thai: jicama, daikon & carrot noodles, sliced bell pepper, chopped cashews, marinated mushrooms, coriander, thai basil, mint, sprouts and kaffir lime. $4.20 AUD

Raw Chocolate Mint Dream $1.30 AUD