Jimbaran Fish Market: Dining with the flies.

Don’t be fooled by the title, it’s not as off-putting as it sounds. To most who visit, it is a little seafood paradise and very local.

This place is essentially a fresh seafood market. Wholesaler to the finest large and small hotels & resorts in and around Jimbaran including the ever so posh Four Seasons. The market is also a great place to enjoy the treasures of the sea just after the catch. From huge lobsters, mahi mahi, snapper, tuna, a tremendous variety of prawns and various other unlucky sea creatures (at least that’s what I call them) all are ready to be grilled or prepared to your liking.  The Fish Market is also one of the best cheap eats in Bali. The lobster is priced at around 350,000 IDR (= $24)/kg which is entirely negotiable. Six of us feasted on a platter of sardines, medium sized prawns & squids (4kg altogether) costing only about 200,000 IDR or $14.

How does it work?  We arrive at the fish market and start browsing the big selection of all these yummy creatures on display underneath 4, 100-meter long pavilions. Choose your favorites, strike your bargain and off you go to the open kitchen with your catch where they prepare your order beachside. The dishes are then served with rice and sambal mata, a kind of lightly sautéed onion and fresh chilly. Alongside are small shops selling beer, coconut water or other soft drinks to wash down your food.

The experience may be a bit challenging for the nose, but then one can’t expect pleasing fragrance around a fish market. Of course, as with any outdoor dining, there may be a few flies around but entirely manageable and again this comes with the territory. This is definitely not a place for creature comfort but heavenly to those who simply enjoy eating the finest seafood smack on the beach.  Local troubadours even come by and perform Balinese live music for tips of a dollar or two.

It’s one of my favourite spots when in Bali along with enjoying the various, plentiful warungs– small traditional, buffet style cafés featuring 15-20 different Indonesian dishes.

Inexpensive living, cheap food & drink–what more can one ask for on and exotic island paradise?

Enjoy Bali!

Robindro Saikhom
robin@serenejourneys.co
www.serenejourneys.co

Robin is the founder of Serene Journeys, a gay travel company based in Delhi and a freelance travel photographer, exploring the beauty of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Southeast Asia.
Check us out on Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube