The Grand Nikko Bali hosts one of the most beautifully placed Sunday brunches anywhere on the island in its traditional Japanese-styled restaurant, Benkay. Overlooking the hotel’s gorgeous tropical gardens, which frame the turquoise-blue ocean, it offers a sublime panoramic picture postcard view for guests to enjoy whilst they tuck into a delicious and authentic Japanese feast.
With a range of comfortable seating options, both inside and out, private rooms for groups and a teppanyaki option, it is the perfect place to chill out and enjoy the seriously good food offered by renowned Japanese chef Goda Katsumi and his team.
The restaurant has been under the guidance of Chef Katsumi since early 2014 and for Benkay’s Sunday brunch he has developed a range of authentic, traditional dishes with some very welcome and recognizable delicacies both on the buffet and cooked fresh-to-order.
The choice is surprisingly large, so maybe ease yourself into the leisurely brunch with something light from the beautifully presented sushi and sashimi bar. Let the traditional salmon, octopus or tuna melt in your mouth, or try the seared salmon mentaiko (cod roe) sauce roll. The traditional green salads can be found in the same place, but do keep your eye out for the Japanese touch evident in dishes, such as the tofu salad in a tangy wasabi dressing.
The open kitchen is where most of the food can be found. Located centrally in the main dining area it includes cooking and presentation stations with tempura, miso soup, udon noodles, chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) and Japanese-style fried chicken and grilled salmon.
Definitely a favourite with traditionalists, delicacies like iced green tea soba noodles in bonito sauce, grilled eel and pickled Chinese cabbage are also available.
Part of the kitchen, the small teppanyaki bar, near the entrance, also offers plenty of choice. You can order and have it brought to the table or sit at the bar. Choose from the superbly fresh meats and seafood; rib eye, chicken, tenderloin, salmon, prawns and scallops, just say the word and chef will cook it there and then.
There is a small selection of desserts, including shaved ice with coloured syrup, cakes and tartlets served with tropical fruit.
Beautifully presented and highly nutritious, traditional Japanese food is perhaps unrivalled in its crisp, clean taste and texture. For those familiar with authentic Japanese cuisine, Benkay’s Sunday brunch is an opportunity to feast on your favourites, whilst for those unfamiliar or a little wary, it’s a culinary journey just waiting to ensnare you.
Favourite Feature:
Okonomiyaki- A sort of savoury pancake, okonomiyaki is a traditional Japanese dish served mainly in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kansai. Although its origins are unclear, the word literally means “grilled whatever you like”. The gorgeous Benkay take on this classic savoury, contains seafood and vegetables and is topped off with a thick sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed powder and flakes of wafer-thin bonito fish.
