New Indonesian Menu at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort
There is something fitting about discovering Indonesia through food while surrounded by the lush rainforest of Payangan. At Anantara Ubud Bali Resort in Payangan, Gianyar, that connection takes centre stage at Kirana Restaurant, which has unveiled a new à la carte menu celebrating the flavours, traditions and ingredients of the Indonesian archipelago.
The launch also marks the arrival of I Made Agus Antara as Executive Sous Chef, bringing more than two decades of culinary experience across leading luxury hotels, resorts and destination restaurants in Indonesia and beyond. Born in Gianyar, Chef Agus brings a deep understanding of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine, shaped by an extensive career in acclaimed hospitality destinations.
His arrival adds another layer to Anantara Ubud’s approach to destination dining. At Kirana, Chef Agus will oversee the restaurant’s day-to-day culinary operations alongside the resort’s Executive Chef, with a focus on strengthening its identity as a destination for authentic Indonesian cuisine with international appeal. His philosophy is straightforward: respect the recipes and traditions that came before while giving them a refined, contemporary expression.
That philosophy comes through in the new menu, which journeys beyond Bali to explore the culinary character of Indonesia’s many regions. Bold Sumatran spices, vibrant Javanese flavours, Balinese traditions and influences from the eastern islands all find their way onto the table. Highlights include Kepiting Soka and Sapi Panggang Balado, while contemporary desserts give beloved Indonesian classics a more playful and elegant interpretation.
For Chef Agus, the appeal lies in the stories behind the food. “Food has the power to tell the story of a destination,” he says, with the new Kirana experience designed to help guests connect with Bali while discovering the wider diversity of Indonesian cuisine.
It is an approach that fits naturally with Anantara’s philosophy of connecting travellers with the places, people and stories of each destination. At Kirana, that philosophy translates into a dining experience that feels distinctly Indonesian without being bound by convention.
And the setting certainly helps. Framed by Payangan’s tropical rainforest, Kirana combines a relaxed atmosphere with contemporary culinary artistry, making it an inviting spot to slow down over lunch or dinner while exploring the flavours of the archipelago.
With Chef Agus bringing his experience and Balinese roots to the kitchen, and Anantara Ubud providing the setting and hospitality, Kirana’s latest chapter is ultimately about one thing: putting Indonesia’s extraordinary culinary heritage back in the spotlight, one delicious plate at a time.