Bali might be known for its stunning beaches and vibrant Hindu culture, but it also boasts a surprising variety of delicious Chinese restaurants. From casual warungs serving up steaming noodle dishes to upscale establishments with Peking duck feasts, Bali caters to all cravings. Whether you’re seeking a break from local cuisine or a unique fusion of Chinese and Indonesian flavours, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to tantalise your taste buds. We’ve hand-picked our favourite Chinese restaurants in Bali, just for you.
Chinese restaurants are highly sought out especially around the Lunar New Year every year. Also called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, it is a time to clean your home, don new clothes, gather with family, give lucky gifts and eat lucky food.
Lucky Chinese foods for Lunar New Year
Eating fresh citrus signifies fullness and wealth. Dumplings, spring rolls and nian gao (sweet glutinous rice cakes) bring prosperity. Catfish, Crucian carp and other fish are symbolic of surplus, traditionally served on both Chinese New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Don’t skip the noodles – they represent longevity and happiness.
Chinese restaurants in Bali
There are hundreds of Chinese restaurants in Bali, Indonesia. These top five are award-winning establishments robust enough to host your Chinese New Year gathering and tasty enough to surpass expectations of the most discerning foodies from around the world.
Ah Yat Abalone & Seafood Restaurant
Named Best Chinese Restaurant in Bali by NOW! Bali Magazine is Ah Yat located within the Ayana Estate in Jimbaran. There are many other other Ah Yat locations across Asia, including in Jakarta and Singapore). Executive Chef Cheung Kin Kau boasts over 20 years’ experience in fine dining. The menu is both adventurous and traditional – expect Japanese food, Hokkien food and Chinese food that demonstrates the chef’s Cantonese heritage.
The beautiful restaurant hosts massive saltwater tanks of live seafood, so fresh fish dishes and shellfish are centre stage. This large restaurant is the only place in Bali with a selection of Japanese special grade dried abalone and Greenlip abalone. A dim sum lover’s delight, there are 30 types of Hong Kong-style steamed dumplings on the menu too.
HOURS 11AM-3PM, 530PM-10PM
PRICE $$$
Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant
Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera,
Jimbaran, Bali
(+62) 0361 846 8468
ahyatrestaurant.com.sg
Kwee Zeen
Craving a fusion feast of Asian flavours with French flair? Look no further than Kwee Zeen. Taking the top award for Best Pan Asian Restaurant a few years ago, Kwee Zeen is known around Bali for its buffet of delights from Japan, Thailand, India, Indonesia and, of course, China. The dining concept here is upscale Asian street market ‘kwee zeen’ – get it? Cui-sine. Themed nights are a regular thing, so Chinese New Years here are always sure to be something spectacular.
HOURS 24/7
PRICE $$-$$$
Kwee Zeen
Jl. Nusa Dua Resort,
Nusa Dua, Bali
(+62) 0361 849 2888
Photo credit: Accor Live Limitless
Ginger Moon Canteen
Swanky downtown Seminyak restaurant Ginger Moon focuses on mainly Indonesian cuisine, but has Chinese favourites on the menu as well. We love their comforting Roast Duck Soup as well as their mouthwatering array of steamed buns. Chinese New Year’s Eve and other special occasions may summon the banquet menu, which starts at Rp. 245,000 per person for small bites and a sampling of prawns, buns, Peking duck, and chicken satay as well as dessert.
Menus are in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Behind the cuisine on the menu is Exec Chef Dean Keddell, for whom Ginger Moon must be a dream come true allowing him to enjoy a tropical island lifestyle after a successful career stint in Australia. Non-stop positive reviews of this elegant intimate space suggest that he and Ginger Moon are here to stay – we certainly hope so.
HOURS 12PM-11PM
PRICE $$-$$$
Jl. Oberoi No. 7,
Seminyak, Bali
(+62) 0361 734 533
dean@gingermoonbali.com
gingermoonbali.com
Photo credit: Ginger Moon Bali
Naga Eight
This high-end Cantonese eatery in Sanur located boasts an open-air atmosphere, perfect for enjoying fresh, locally-sourced ingredients prepared in classic Cantonese style. The restaurant’s name reflects this unique blend: ‘Naga’ is Indonesian for dragon, a mythical guardian of the land, while ‘Eight’ symbolises good fortune in Chinese tradition.
Step into a world of old-world charm, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The restaurant’s design incorporates nods to its heritage, with hints of dragon scale patterns and a central open bar for a touch of modern elegance.
HOURS 11:00AM-10:00PM
PRICE $$-$$$
Naga Eight Restaurant
l. Danau Tamblingan No.89,
Sanur, Denpasar, Bali 80228
(+62) 812-3788-8089
Happy Chappy Chinese Restaurant
Good for dates and groups, Happy Chappy has booths and table seating, a full bar and a fun atmosphere. The lunch and dinner menus lend to family-style sharing, especially the dim sum assortment platters and small sides.
And each Chinese New Year, Happy Chappy rolls out a mouthwatering special menu. For The Year of the Dragon, Happy Chappy prepared special Dragon Bao Buns and restaurant-goers were treated to a captivating Barongsai performance while dining through various Dim Sums as well as dishes of Sesame Chicken, Turnip Cake, and Clear Veggie Soup.
HOURS 1130AM-230PM, 6PM-12AM
PRICE $$-$$$
Happy Chappy Chinese SEMINYAK
Jl. Beraban No. 62,
Banjar Taman, Seminyak, Bali
(+62) 0361 474 1959
Happy Chappy Chinese CANGGU
Jl. Pantai Berawa No. 888,
Banjar Tibubeneng, Canggu, Bali
(+62) 0361 934 5811
happychappychinese.com
Though Bali is a year-round destination, it is especially popular during Lunar New Year. To dine at these restaurants, do call well in advance and make reservations. The Elite Concierge can take care of that for you when you stay at one of our fabulous Bali villas. Whether it be in Jimbaran, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Canggu, our private and luxurious villas have you covered. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year!
