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Savor: Warung Becol - “Jimbaran-style grilled fish in Serangan”
The small restaurants that line the area near Sakenan Temple in Serangan typically serve grilled cob fish; however, there is one here that offers a distinctive and more delicious grilled fish
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The small restaurants that line the area near Sakenan Temple in Serangan typically serve grilled cob fish; however, there is one here that offers a distinctive and more delicious grilled fish.
Located on the west side, near the statue of Wayan Bulit, depicted as a fisherman carrying traditional fishing gear, Warung Becol stands out among the dozens of restaurants.
From lunchtime up until the evening, this restaurant always has customers going in and out and the waiters are busy taking orders, weighing the fresh fish picked by their customers and grilling the fish.
The price of each dish is based on the weight of the fish, at roughly Rp 80,000 (US$6) per kilogram. A selection of seafood is also available, including shrimp and crab.
During busy hours, the wait for food can be almost one hour. While waiting, customers can stroll along the street near the coast, where the traditional fishing boats are moored near the mangrove trees. In the afternoons, locals are usually seen flocking the area to hunt for crabs and clams.
Customers who choose to stay put can order traditional snacks, like bulung (seaweed) served with shredded coconut, spicy sauce and peanuts, or rujak (sliced fruit in a spicy sauce) and es campur. But even for these, customers usually have to line up and wait.
If you enjoy the environment, the wait doesn’t seem too long. After sightseeing or munching on snacks, the main course comes along — an approximately 1-kilogram fish covered in red spicy sauce. It tastes savory and a bit sweet. If you prefer, you can order standard grilled fish.
Sambal matah, the Balinese-style chili condiment that is a mix of chili, shallots, garlic, a bit of shrimp paste, a squeeze of lime and coconut oil, goes perfectly with this dish.
Warung Becol seems to be the most popular among the small seafood restaurants in Serangan, thanks to word of mouth and social media. A lot of netizens have posted positive reviews and comments about the restaurant, especially the great taste of the fish that is combined perfectly with the Balinese spices. Not only is it delicious, it is far cheaper than similar dishes served in Jimbaran.
