Bebek Bengil is something of a classic in Ubud. The restaurant has been around since 1990 and is best known for its Crispy Duck, but duck is clearly their thing, with several different versions on the menu, along with a selection of sides and small dishes.
I went in the middle of the afternoon, so it wasn’t very busy, and I was lucky enough to get a table in one of their saungs. These are small, open pavilions with thatched roofs, and they are without a doubt the best place to be and being seated in a saung makes a huge difference to the overall experience.
I ordered the Crispy Duck and a glass of pineapple juice. The duck was surprisingly small, smaller than most Danish rotisserie chickens, and the meat was quite dry. I assume it’s deep fried, as the skin was very crisp, but that also meant the meat lacked juiciness and depth of flavor. The sides worked much better. Rice, vegetables, and several different sauces came together nicely and made the dish filling enough for one person.
If I were to come back, I don’t think I’d order the Crispy Duck again. I’d be much more tempted to try one of the marinated duck dishes, which looked noticeably juicier and more interesting on the menu.
That said, the setting is fantastic and undoubtedly a big reason why Bebek Bengil remains so popular. The restaurant is surrounded by rice fields and water lilies, and there’s a calm, almost meditative atmosphere that makes it a very pleasant place to linger.
Bebek Bengil, Jl. Hanoman, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
