Amidst the hustle and bustle of Denpasar, there is a humble eatery that holds the authentic flavors of Bali.
Located on Jalan Tukad Pakerisan, Warung Ari has been a go-to destination for food lovers since 1994.
Its specialty? Marlin fish sate lilit—a dish rich in spices and infused with the irresistible aroma of grilling.
Arriving at the warung in the morning, visitors are greeted by the tantalizing smoke of freshly grilled sate.
The scent of spices immediately awakens the appetite. Each skewer is made with premium marlin fish, without any additional meat, resulting in a tender texture and a distinctive taste with no fishy odor.
The Secret to Its Deliciousness: Basa Genep and Fresh Marlin Fish
The uniqueness of sate lilit here lies in the basa genep spice blend, a traditional recipe passed down from Karangasem.
A mixture of shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger, galangal, and other spices creates a savory flavor with a slight hint of spice that seeps perfectly into the fish.
The choice of marlin fish as the main ingredient is another key to its exceptional taste.
Marlin has firm, dense flesh that doesn’t easily break apart when grilled, providing a rich umami flavor.
The preparation process is also unique—the fish meat is ground, mixed with spices, then wrapped around a lemongrass stalk before being grilled to golden perfection.
More Than Just Sate Lilit
In addition to sate lilit marlin, Warung Ari offers a variety of other traditional Balinese dishes.
These include flavorful pepes ikan (steamed fish in banana leaves), rich pepes clengis (fish with coconut residue), chewy fish meatballs, and an assortment of local vegetable dishes such as jukut serombotan and jukut plecing.
For a complete culinary experience, the warung offers a meal package for IDR 25,000, which includes nasi sela (sweet potato rice), sate lilit, fish meatballs, jukut urap (mixed vegetables with grated coconut), pepes, and a drink.
This portion is quite filling, with a perfect balance of flavors—savory from the sate and pepes, fresh from the jukut plecing, and a slight sweetness from the nasi sela.
A Timeless Culinary Gem
Warung Ari opens at 5:30 AM and closes around 3:00 PM. On a busy day, they can use up to 50 kilograms of fish.
It’s no surprise that loyal customers come from all over, with some even traveling long distances just to savor this authentic Karangasem-style sate lilit.
Interestingly, the sate lilit from Warung Ari has a relatively long shelf life—up to two days at room temperature and a week if refrigerated.
Many customers buy in bulk to be shipped outside Bali, including Jakarta, NTB, and even overseas.
For Balinese cuisine enthusiasts, Warung Ari is a must-visit destination.
With its flavors remaining consistent for decades, its marlin fish sate lilit is more than just food—it is a culinary heritage worth preserving. (BT)
