Sanur’s Alun-Alun Village Square Brings Busan-Style Korean BBQ to Bali Evenings
Korean BBQ comes to Sanur, a fresh cultural offering to this locale’s numerous other dining options. The regular events, presented by Korean Chef Min A from Busan who is resident at the Andaz Bali resort in the Alun-Alun Village Square, are an impressive offering that seek to bring new experiences to evening dining in Sanur, which is able to offer an array of locations to enjoy dinner, all offering their own mix of flavor and relaxed ambience that is so apparent throughout the Balinese gardens that line this once-sleepy fishing village’s beaches.
Hansik Korean BBQ is presented as traditional Hansik (the cuisine of the people of South Korea). Hansik typically consists of Grilled Meat cooked on a tabletop grill with small portions of accompanying side dishes known as Banchan which complement the primary source of nutrients – the Grilled Meat in this instance. It’s traditionally eaten in company, enjoying the fruits of each other’s efforts. With Hansik, Koreans celebrate special occasions in one of the most memorable, aromatic, sharing experiences possible in a unique setting that showcases local flavor, decor & service in an ambiance of a beautifully-designed Balinese garden at the Andaz resort in Sanur.
The menu of Hansik Korean BBQ that has been offered by Chef Min A from Busan over the last two years, includes many classic Hansik dishes as well as some of her childhood favorite dishes from her hometown in the Dongnae-gu area of Busan. A specialty of this area is the seafood pancake called ‘Dongnae Haemul Pajeon’ made with prawn and squid as well as other white fish and mixed vegetables. This type of dish is not commonly found on most restaurant menus, especially outside of Korea, and is therefore very popular with Koreans and expats who live in villas in Sanur as well as with local tourists.
For the permanent residents of Sanur, including digital nomads and families who live in villas in the area, there are few social venues available that would provide a change of scene from the usual tourist haunts. They could be attracted to Hansik events, as they are an opportunity to experience cultural dining in a more social and interactive way, without the need to travel across the island.
This and future festivals will be of interest to Sanur residents, expats and digital nomads who may choose to reside in this up and coming part of Bali, as it adds to the ‘lifestyle’ the area is rapidly developing. Again, note that whilst cultural festivals are of interest, they in no way are a replacement for the things that will affect the value of your investment in Bali – quality of local infrastructure, evidence of clear and complete ownership of the land, and all relevant permits in place for short term rental of property.
As with most food and beverage ventures in Bali, risks exist in the unpredictable shifts in regulations around permits and health standards. There is also the risk of decline in visitor numbers as seasonal tourists depart, particularly on less popular weekdays.
What This Means for Your Bali Plan:
- Growing range of International cuisine for foodies at international events like these in Sanur. For potential property buyers and permanent residents – there are now more venues and locations within Sanur where to meet up with other local digital nomads, villa residents and also to dine with families and their children in Sanur too.
- For families and digital nomads that live in Sanur the dining scenes around the Alun-Alun create opportunities for social interactions outside of work and school.
- Investors should also bear in mind the way lifestyle options offered at a place to live are in proportion to the local infrastructure of a place and, most importantly, a property owner holds a valid land title (hak milik for freehold property or hak sewa for leasehold property).
- However the food and beverage offered by a resort can be seasonal and as such may not be available on a week day and thus would not be suitable for a longer stay or for a rental property.
Final Thought:
It is culinary culture that in part sets a neighborhood apart from the mass tourism found throughout the island. And while lifestyle or ‘cultured experience’ offerings are an important feature of any ‘desirable’ location, for investment in property the sum of all aspects of real estate in Bali should be considered, especially that relating to the Neighborhood as well as important aspects of property buying such as freehold or leasehold land titles / hak milik / hak sewa and local development and infrastructure of a sustainable nature to service such inventory in both the short and long term.