Dirty Ducks

Duck is a significant part of Ubud cuisine and the most famous dish is it's 'dirty duck' (bebek bengil) or crispy duck. The Dirty Duck Diner (Bebek Bengil) is the place to eat this dish and so it was on my 'to do' list for this trip. I headed up there tonight as it's just up the road from my hotel and seemed appropriate for my first real meal in Bali.

Photo: Bebek Bengil in the late afternoon

I had no real expectations of the meal as I hadn't been to a restaurant in Bali before. As such, I was unprepared for just how picturesque the actual restaurant was. The restaurant looks small from the road but goes back from the front an entire block and consists of a large manicured garden with small bungalows and tables dotted throughout the Tiki-torch lit grounds.

Photo: Bebek Bengil's courtyard pond and the
bungalow seating for the restaurant behind it

I stupidly ordered an entree that turned out to be similar to salt and pepper squid (I don't really like fried food) and so didn't eat that much of it to the waitress' horror (she demanded to know why). But the crispy duck was moist and delicious and served with a series of spicy accompanients. All in all, a great first meal out.