Bali | My Evening at Sazón Canggu
There are dining experiences that satisfy hunger, and then there are those that feed the soul. My recent visit to Sazón in Canggu’s vibrant Batu Bolong neighborhood fell firmly into the latter category—an evening where every sense was engaged and the boundary between food and art (tow of my most favourite things) became wonderfully blurred.
The Poetry of Food Storytelling
As a food experience chaser, I sometimes worry that the constant pursuit of new culinary experiences might dull my appreciation—that the next beautiful plate might elicit more clinical assessment than genuine joy…. however when I experience places like Sazón, it absolutely reminds me why I fell in love with food and storytelling in the first place.
It’s in capturing those wonderful moments: the theatrical assembly of the yellowfin tuna taco, the perfect simplicity of a Spanish tortilla executed with reverence, or the story behind Chef Javier Vicente’s journey from representing Spain at the World Championship of Paella Valenciana to helming this Balinese kitchen with the talented Chef Andrew Walsh..
Beyond the Plate
What struck me about Sazón was how completely it embraced its identity. From the moment you encounter that dramatic curved bar crowned with oversized red cylindrical lights, you understand this is a place with vision. Nick Derickx’s design creates spaces within spaces—each with its own mood but connected by a singular thread of Spanish passion reimagined in Bali.
I love it when there are details that excite me beyond the food—the way the music slowly built energy throughout the night, culminating in an impromptu Stevie Wonder serenade for a fellow diner (and everyone should know how much I love Stevie). How even a trip to the restroom became a cinematic moment, with the spiral staircase that seemed designed for entrances rather than mere functionality.
Conversations That Matter
Some of the most meaningful moments of my evening weren’t captured in my notes about flavor profiles or plating techniques, but in the conversations between bites. Chef Javier’s philosophy of “not overcomplicating dishes” resonated deeply with me—how true mastery often reveals itself not in complexity but in the confidence to let quality ingredients speak.
It’s this approach to both food and life that makes certain dining experiences go beyond mere consumption to become something more profound: moments of connection, understanding and appreciation.
The Full Story
I’ve shared my complete experience at Sazón—from the croquetas de jamón to that unforgettable charcoal-infused dessert—in a recent feature. If you’re curious about this bold new addition to Bali’s dining scene, or simply want to armchair travel to a place where Spanish soul meets Balinese spirit, you can read the full article here.
A Confession
The best food experiences are about those moments that make you want to return, again and again, to spaces that feed more than just your appetite. They create memories that linger long after the last bite, transporting you back with a simple thought or scent.
I hope you add Sazón to your wishlist and, when you visit, take a bit of Spain with a Balinese twist home as a forever memory—one that brings a smile to your face whenever your mind wanders back to that magical evening in Canggu.
Enjoy.
Photos: Personal collection from my dinner at Sazón, 5 April 2025
