[Bali, Indonesia] What if I told you that the “Best BBQ Ribs” in the world and the “best martini” outside New York City (as told by Anthony Bourdain) can be found in a little warung in Ubud?
Naughty Nuri’s was founded in 1995 by an American Expat, Brian Aldinger and his Indonesian wife Isnuri Suryatmi (Nuri).
As she was known as Nuri and her husband tend to be a “naughty” person, thus “Naughty Nuri’s” name was chosen.
Little did they know that their humble establishment, could go places. Naughty Nuri’s has opened in a cities throughout the world, from Jakarta, Melbourne, Macau, Phuket, to Kuala Lumpur. (They used to open 2 restaurants in Singapore, but both ended operations.)
I visited their original warung location in Ubud, which looked a simple street-side eatery from the front. (The other famous Bali outlet is Jl. Mertanadi No.62, Kerobokan, Seminyak.)
Therefore, there is nothing really fancy around (despite carrying two titles of “best”), with corrugated metal roof and interior filled with framed old photos, posters and ornaments.
You could feel the 90s vibes here.
The main show of the warung is definitely the live station located outside where the grilling happens.
Expect some ‘cloudiness’ during lunch/dinner hours, where smoke may get in your eyes.
The Signature St.Louis Spare Ribs (IDR 130k, SGD13.00) is known to be the amalgamation of sweet and savoury, marinated with authentic Balinese spices.
The special formula is the glazing with secret ‘Pangang’ sauce before grilling over charcoal flames for a wholesome smoky flavour.
I remembered visiting here back in 2010 and it was indeed the best pork ribs I ever tried. Will it still taste the same?
Visually, it looks as appetizing as always, thick succulent meat and nicely charred, meat was cooked perfectly it fall off the bone easily.
Thanks to their homemade secret BBQ sauce, the ribs had an appealing rich and sweet tanginess.
Do squeeze the sliced lime provided which balances out the flavour.
I also ordered Onion Rings (35k, SGD3.50) and Bratwurst (IDR 55k, SGD5.50) as side dishes.
While the Onion Rings were lightly battered and crisp, it could overall do with some seasoning as the outer batter tasted bland.
The Bratwurst came bigger and longer than expected, but the texture was slightly too soft and somewhat mushy for me.
Could be better if the sausage was grilled longer.
Since the martini cocktails has been famously vouched by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain as “the best martinis in the world”, one simply does not went to Nuri’s without ordering their notorious ‘shake, shake, shake’ Martini (IDR 120k, SGD12.00).
Be prepared to enjoy some live performance, staff will come up to your table and do the booty shaking while preparing.
I would recommend the Margarita (IDR 120k, SGD12.00) which also came with the dancing, a light and refreshing drink best paired with the heavy-tasting ribs.
Although Naughty Nuri’s specialises in grilled meats, they also offer an array of Indonesian classic dishes such as Wagyu Short Rib Rendang, Nasi Goreng an Ayam Lemak.
However, the ribs were not as impressive as the first time I tried, lacking in that magical ‘X’ factor. With that said, this is one of Bali’s most famous place to have good-old ribs.
Naughty Nuri’s Ubud
Jl. Raya Sanggingan No.88X, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 977547
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Naughty Nuri’s Ubud
Other Related Entries
Menega Café (Jimbaran, Bali)
Sate Babi Bawah Pohon (Kuta, Bali
Crumb & Coasterm (Kuta, Bali)
Babi Guling Karya Rebo (Kuta, Bali)
* Written by DFD͛’s Jakarta Food Correspondent @iknowhowtoeat who loves exploring NEW food places in both Indonesia and Singapore. DFD pays for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
