COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Sweet Georgia is what’s on our mind right now when we think hot food in Bali.
We’re talking about Georgia the country, not the American state. Where is it, you ask? While the country is at the intersection of Europe and Asia, the restaurant we’re about to tempt you with is of course located on our lovely island, right in the middle of the chilled residential area of Umalas.
The dishes served at Tiflis Georgian Cuisine show influences from Georgia’s neighboring countries. Their signature dish Khinkali for instance, is quite similar with the Chinese soup dumpling xiao long bao where the dough is shaped into a pouch and filled with delicious savory broth as well as minced pork and beef. The traditional Georgian way to eat it is to pinch the top of the pouch, bite a tiny hole into the main dumpling to slurp the broth, and then eat the rest of the dumpling. Yummy! They only serve these on Thursdays though, so do plan your visit if you’d like to try them.
We love how they flamboyantly sprinkle pomegranates on top of some of the dishes here. The fruit’s vibrant jewel-like color and burst of flavor made the Pkhali—a cold vegan appetizer of three green balls made of spinach leaves, walnuts, onions, and spices—and their eggplant walnut rolls that much more special!
Ajaruli, the rich savory boat-shaped pie filled with cheeses with a sunny side egg on top is the Georgian version of comfort food. Also a perfect hangover cure after a hard night partying.
A bit like Turkish cuisine, most of the items on the menu is vegetarian so it’s perfect for a healthy indulgent feast with friends.
To wash it all down and beat the heat, a must try here is Tarhun—the Georgian carbonated soft drink flavored with tarragon leaves and recognizable by its distinctive bright green color.
FIND IT
Tiflis Georgian Cuisine
Jl. Umalas II no.62
03614732397
Daily: 7am – 10pm
All photos from tiflisbali.com
