
Chef Syamsul Rizal brings his extensive experience to this beachfront restaurant and bar, drawing inspiration from Japanese ingredients, tastes and flavours...
Standing tall along the vibrant Seminyak Beach strip is SugarSand, a beachfront restaurant and bar with contemporary designs imbued with tropical aesthetics. And while this iconic eatery is the signature dining destination of the five-star Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, SugarSand has gained significant recognition of its own, with a dedicated entrance from the beachfront, and a stellar reputation to boot.
From the outside, the two-storey destination flaunts a striking silhouette. Step inside, and SugarSand is a fun and colourful watering hole, lined with plush sofas and chairs bearing bold, daring patterns spread across the indoor and outdoor seating areas. At its heart is the impressive bar, with its floor-to-ceiling murals, iconic Instagram backdrops and expert bartenders ready to shake, stir and serve.
With a cocktail in hand, head over to the beachfront swimming pool that overlooks the ocean – it’s the place to spend a sunny day in Seminyak. You’ll want to stick around until late too, because when the sun begins to dip, it’s here where you’ll snag a front-row seat to Bali’s famous sunsets. Or, head to the second floor for an elevated view above the island’s most happening neighbourhood…
Izakaya vibes in Seminyak
With a brand new chef leading the kitchen’s creative team, SugarSand has unveiled a new menu and culinary concept. Chef Syamsul Rizal brings with him years of culinary experience from around the world, together with an abiding passion for Japanese cuisine. Born and raised in Indonesia, Rizal started his career on international cruise liners, before honing his skills in top restaurants in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Morocco. His noteworthy kitchen gigs include the famous Nobu in Miami and Zuma in Dubai.
Chef Rizal’s arrival at SugarSand marks a refreshing new concept and scrumptious menu that is taking the restaurants’ foodie reputation to whole other level. After years of serving modern cuisine infused with Japanese touches, SugarSand is now focussed around the sights, smells, flavours and undeniable style of an authentic Japanese izakaya, including the convivial vibes that follow.
And because flavour comes first for Chef Rizal (and he truly loves the tastes of Japan!) he’s incorporating authentic Japanese ingredients into the menu, perfectly paired with premium produce sourced locally here in Indonesia. Then to finish it all off, expect exquisite presentation in every dish, where the plating is inspired by Japanese simplicity.
Locally sourced Japanese flavours
Settle in to SugarSand to really get a taste of the new menu and its dishes, which span from breakfast through to lunch and dinner. The lunch menu is on the lighter side with small bites, soups and salads, with highlights including the refreshingly flavourful crab salad with mango, avocado, cucumber micro and crab tempura, topped with a citrus-ginger dressing. Staying true to Japanese culture, the dinner menu will soon be served in a convivial setting showcasing multiple Japanese food stalls, reminiscent of a dynamic night market.
If you’re not sure where to start, take up Chef Rizal’s recommendations and kick off the feast with the seafood or beef fried ramen topped with rich teriyaki sauce. The popcorn shrimp makes an addictive snack to whet the appetite, sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with honey spiced mayo with a kick. Meanwhile, the beef and black cod gyoza is a must for comfort food hunters. But the star of the new menu? The gindara miso, where fine black cod is marinated with saikyo sauce, and served with charred kailan, eryngii mushroom and yuzu miso.
Sun, sip and savour all day at SugarSand
Perfect for a long and leisurely lunch or an extended sunset dinner, SugarSand is the kind of place where you want to take your time. Imagine dreamy summer days under the warm Bali sun, where your only difficult decision is choosing between cocktails. And a difficult decision it is, because the bar hosts a curated collection of sake and sochu, alongside creative takes on classic cocktails, and an inspired selection of slow-infused gin and tonics. Pick your potion, lose track of time, and whatever you do, don’t leave before sunset.
You’ll also want to make some time and some space post-lunch or dinner for SugarSand’s desserts, also inspired by Japanese ingredients. The matcha ice cream sundae with homemade matcha marshmallow and a mix berries compote is a reliable sweet treat. Or for something richer, try the yuzu cheese tart with mango-passion fruit sauce, coconut sorbet, yuzu curd and dehydrated zest meringue. Our fave? The Black on Black Puff featuring taro-charcoal soil, croquant choux and a light taro-charcoal cream. We never thought we’d be able to find desserts like that, right here on Seminyak Beach…
SugarSand at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, JI Camplung Tanduk No. 10, Seminyak, p. +62 813 5369 5640.