The Five Elements of Bali: Experience the Soul of Bali Through the Balinese Vaganza Buffet at Kōwhai Restaurant

There are many ways to discover Bali, but stories are told through food.



Inspired by The Five Elements of Bali: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit. Kōwhai Restaurant at MĀUA OLEA Ubud by Swiss-Belhotel invites you to journey into Balinese culture with our Balinese Vaganza Buffet, held every Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, uniting recipes, ingredients, and dance performances.

More Than a Buffet – A Cultural Journey

Every ingredient harvested from the land, and every dish prepared carries a story of gratitude, community, and tradition.

Earth is reflected in local produce and spices. Water brings the bounty of Bali’s rivers and seas. Fire comes alive through charcoal grilling. Air is felt in Ubud’s setting, while Spirit shines through Balinese dance.

Begin Your Evening with Authentic Balinese Flavors

Your journey starts at the Live Carving Station with Lawar Ayam, a dish of minced chicken, grated coconut, herbs, and Balinese spices. From there, the aroma of charcoal fills the air as our chefs prepare freshly grilled satay at the Charcoal Grill Station:

  • Sate Lilit Ayam, minced chicken wrapped around lemongrass.
  • Sate Sapi Bumbu Manis, beef skewers glazed with sweet Balinese seasoning.
  • Sate Celeng, a local favorite with smoky Balinese spices.

Every bite captures the warmth of Balinese family gatherings.

Garden bed with plants and signs, rope border.

Celebrating Bali’s Fresh Harvest

Balinese cuisine has always embraced ingredients sourced directly from nature.


Highlights include Urab Paku, fern leaves with grated coconut, Lawar Kacang Panjang with long beans, coconut, and spices. Jukut Undis, a comforting black bean soup, loved in local households.

Garden bed with plants and signs, rope border.

Signature Dishes That Tell the Story of Bali

No Balinese feast is complete without its legendary main dishes.


Our buffet presents Ayam Betutu, Bali's most celebrated culinary masterpiece. Slow cooked for hours with traditional spices, the chicken becomes tender while absorbing layers of flavours that have made this dish famous throughout the island.


Seafood lovers will enjoy Tongkol Sisit Sambal Mentah, shredded tuna with fresh raw sambal. Alongside these specialties, Sayur Nangka, young jackfruit simmered with herbs, presents Bali’s agricultural heritage. Each dish comes with steamed rice and condiments: Sambal Terasi, Sambal Mentah, Sambal Goreng, and crispy prawn crackers.

A Sweet Ending Inspired by Tradition

Dessert is an essential part of every Balinese gathering.



Refresh your palate with Rujak Bali, a tropical fruit salad in sweet Balinese dressing. Dadar Gulung, soft pandan crepes with grated coconut and palm sugar. Or Pisang Rai, steamed banana coated in rice flour and coconut.

Garden bed with plants and signs, rope border.

Where Dining Meets Culture

MĀUA OLEA Ubud believes food and culture are inseparable.


Throughout the evening, guests are invited to enjoy a Traditional Balinese Dance Performance, a tradition carrying stories of devotion, mythology, and community.


Savor the Experience

Join us every Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Kōwhai Restaurant, MĀUA OLEA Ubud by Swiss-Belhotel. Whether it’s your first visit to Bali or a return to the island you love, The Five Elements of Bali offers a taste of its culture.

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