Meet the Chef from Kappa Senses Ubud

Guests of Kappa Senses Ubud are in for a gourmet treat when they stay at the French-inspired boutique resort. The lush natural surroundings of the resort, rice field terraces, and occasional dance of fireflies in the evening are the setting of culinary offerings of this serene luxury resort in Kedewatan, Ubud.

Led by executive chef Eka Arsana, the restaurant’s Epicurean Nest offers a multitude of dining and drinking experiences for a memorable escape. Here, he shares more about his culinary background, the resort’s upcoming programme, and signature dishes that must not be missed when one visits or stays at Kappa Senses Ubud.

Can you tell us about your career start and your role at Kappa Senses Ubud?

I’ve worked for more than 20 years in fine-dining restaurants and the hospitality industry. My career has taken me to five-star hotels and resorts in Bali, Lombok, Sumba, and even Micronesia in the Pacific.

Since joining Kappa Senses Ubud, I’ve been occupied with creating memorable gastronomic experiences for our guests through our Epicurean Nest venues: Kokokan, Kepuh, Kelapa, Bale Gourmet, and Lianas. On top of that, I am also overseeing our 24-hour in-room dining and events.

Tell us about Kappa Senses Ubud’s restaurants. Do they offer different experiences?

Yes, they offer different experiences. Kepuh is an all-day dining restaurant with a rice field view. It is open for breakfast and starting this month, features a Sunday Brunch buffet of delicious regional cuisine of the mighty Majapahit Empire. Our poolside bar and restaurant, Kelapa, is all about hearty and comfort food such as pizzas, burgers, and salads. Bale Gourmet is our lounge, a place where guests can have sweet treats and afternoon tea during the day and tapas with cocktails during the evening. Lianas is the cabana bar, offering small bites and chilled drinks by the jungle river pool.

Last but not least, we have Kokokan. It is an elegant restaurant where our guests can dress up and enjoy a French-inspired menu in a laid-back ambiance. There is an a la carte menu option as well as a three-, four-, or six-course degustation menu with wine pairings from our cellar.

We strive to create enriching gourmet experiences for our guests during their stay. That’s why they can have cooking classes, picnic breakfasts, chocolate masterclasses, and more during their time with us.

What are the signature dishes at Kokokan?

We believe in seasonality, highlighting local produce as well as fresh vegetables and herbs from our permaculture garden. So far, we’ve managed to grow cherry tomatoes, edible flowers, cucumber, zucchini, and eggplant that we use in our menu.

Guest will find poached Lombok oysters topped with basil jelly, tomato and basil sherbet, mango caviar, shallot pickles, and seaweed; frog leg mousseline with watercress jus, pan-seared black cod with duck jus and grilled vegetable tartlet, and roasted pigeon stuffed with foie gras and kale. I always suggest the guests come early for the Kokokan Aperitif and Sunset Melody on the terrace before dinner and take their time before dinner.

Learn more about Kappa Senses Ubud and its gastronomy offerings here.