Potato Head in Seminyak is a renowned beachfront community at the southern end of Bali known for its vibrant beach clubs, upscale restaurants, massage parlors, and funky boutiques. Among these, Potato Head stands out as a famous resort and beach club located on the shore of the Indian Ocean. It’s an ideal spot to watch the sunset, enjoy a cocktail, listen to DJ sets, experience the large infinity pool, and swim up bar. With its lively atmosphere, it’s especially popular with those in their 20’s and 30’s. However, be prepared for a 90-minute drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic from Jimbaran.
The highlight I want to share is Kaum, a restaurant on the second floor of Potato Head, which offers a peaceful escape from the bustling madness of the beach club below. Kaum serves authentic Indonesian cuisine using locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods. The menu showcases recipes from over 600 of Indonesia’s archipelago islands, featuring techniques like bamboo grilling, fermentation, slow cooking, and pit roasting. Kaum translates to the word ‘tribal’.
The restaurant has a contemporary, relaxed atmosphere, seating about 50 guests outside where you can enjoy the sunset and music from below. Inside, it seats around 70 guests, offering an oasis with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the club. The interior features terrazzo floors, wooden tables, and a long communal table that runs down the center of the restaurant, with Balinese-themed tiles on the walls. The design draws inspiration from traditional Balinese architecture, using natural materials and intricate carvings.
Kaum collaborates closely with small-scale responsible food producers, sourcing ingredients from remote tribal communities. The dishes are best shared and are often spicy, but the accommodating staff can ask to adjust the seasoning for milder tastes. Signature dishes include a classic fried rice made with Indonesian spices and a fried egg on top, and skewered grilled chicken marinated in spices and coconut milk, served with spicy peanut sauce. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The bar offers a range of cocktails and drinks inspired by Indonesian flavours.
The staff at Kaum are warm and friendly, a common trait throughout Bali. While I wouldn’t drive through horrendous traffic again for this meal, it’s worth visiting if you are staying in this area. Just be cautious if you have a sensitive stomach to spicy foods, or you may experience the infamous “Bali Belly”.
Happy dining,
Shanea
08/24/2024
