Renowned for its flame-kissed plates crafted over a gas-free, open-fire grill, waatu at The Ungasan Clifftop Resort introduces a new Saturday brunch ritual: Saturday Otsumami Sessions. Unfolding by the pool against sweeping Indian Ocean views, the weekly brunch blends Japanese savoir-faire with the resort’s easy tropical rhythm. Available every Saturday from 11am to 4pm, the experience invites guests to settle in for a two-hour, all-you-can-eat spread of otsumami – traditional Japanese savoury small plates – with prices starting from IDR 550,000/person.
The session begins with a thoughtful welcome ritual: a bowl of warm, savoury ramen broth served alongside edamame and Japanese ocha, gently preparing the palate. From there, a procession of fire-driven bites emerges from the grill, carrying waatu’s signature smoky depth. Among the highlights is chawanmushi, the delicate steamed savoury custard that reflects Japanese precision in its silky texture and restrained seasoning. Guests may elevate the afternoon further with optional lobster tail and tender flank steak.
At its core, waatu redefines destination dining through sustainability, simplicity, and connection. Chef Lachlan Budd channels Indonesia’s abundant ingredients through a woodfire kitchen powered entirely by coals, lending depth, and nuance to each bite. His approach balances restraint with creativity, allowing smoke, heat, and careful timing to shape the menu rather than overpower it.
That fire-focused ethos carries naturally into the otsumami spread, particularly through the crowd’s favourite yakitori selection – a playful procession of skewers turned steadily over open flame. Garlic prawn, char siu pork, wagyu beef, mahi mahi, pork with calamari, scallop and beef satay arrive with a gentle char that heightens their natural flavours.
As otsumami plates from the new Saturday brunch at waatu continue to circulate, the mood builds. A live DJ sets the tone with coastal house and upbeat rhythms, while the infinity-edge pool awaits just steps away with full access granted to all the guests for a seamless transition from enjoying smoky small plates to a cooling midday dip.
For more information and reservations, email eat@waatubali.com or visit waatu.com/reservations
