Just 5km, or 10 minutes by car, from Kemenuh Village and Tegenungan Waterfall, is Bebek Joni. This restaurant is renowned for its duck dishes. Having said that, on arrival, it feels more like entering a spa than a restaurant. Lush green fields of rice paddies stretch in every direction. In the foreground lie pools of water, lined with rocks and flowers. Palm trees stand in orderly rows and another row of neatly trimmed shrubs lead along to a large statue presiding over the scene.
Off in the distance, little thatched roof huts dot the landscape. Closer in are thatched roof structures that cover numerous tables. A low soothing buzz of conversation emanates.
Mum & I are seated for lunch in amongst may tables under a much larger thatched roof. With a beer on order, we peruse the extensive menu. Although, it’s likely all for show as looking around, the only dish on the tables are variations of duck. Giving in to the moment, we both select a different version of duck: a quarter duck, rice, satay stick and a green bean and noodle salad.
It’s delicious when it comes. Mine dish comes salt & pepper dry roasted with a sauce accompaniment, mum’s marinated in sweet & spicy sauce. The meat is dark and gamey, perhaps better suited to a chilly night in front of an open fire with a bottle of red on the table than the heat of Bali.
Nevertheless, it’s after 2pm and we were both ready for something. The beer & rice paddy views top things off, the result being a successful and satisfying meal.
Afterwards we wonder around the little ponds, some with statues of duck (no real ones in sight). Another pathway leads to the counter and after paying the bill, we head back to the car and driver. Next stop is Goa Gajah.
Good To Know
Bebek Joni seems like a tourist restaurant, yet the large size and rather remote location, along with oodles of choice, suggest they must be doing something very right. Either they’re popular enough to also cater to a large local crowd or good enough to sustain such patronage in the fickle tourist market. Having said that, we still paid ‘tourist’ prices so there’s a chance it’s not operating on word of mouth alone.
Would I Return?
No.
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