IBU SUSU Bar & Kitchen

Pan-Asian Plates on a Busy Ubud Artery
Set on Jl. Monkey Forest in central Ubud, IBU SUSU Bar & Kitchen leans into inventive Pan‑Asian share plates and serious cocktails rather than quick tourist turnover. Open 7 days a week, usually from 12h00 to 00h00 (Minuit) or even 01h00 depending on the night, it has become a go‑to for travellers who don’t want dinner to end at 21h00.

Reviews from Google Maps and TripAdvisor consistently nudge the 4.7–5 / 5 mark, with many guests calling it their favourite restaurant in Ubud and returning multiple times during a single trip.

Food: Small Plates, Big Flavours
The kitchen focuses on Pan‑Asian dishes designed for sharing. Guests rave about soft shell crab – from buns to stir‑fries and salads with green mango – along with pork belly baos, duck curry, beef rendang, lemongrass chicken and Balinese chicken curry soup. Seafood runs through the menu: snapper ceviche and carpaccio, red snapper sashimi, tuna tacos and a stir‑fry crab all get singled out.

Many diners build their meal from “Bites” plates and dim sum: chicken and prawn dumplings, duck dumplings, steamed buns, gyozas, summer rolls with mango and betel leaf ceviche. Portion sizes can be on the smaller side for some mains, but overall the impression is of fresh, well‑balanced food that’s “bursting with flavour” (Google 2024).

Cocktails & Happy Hour Rituals
Cocktails are a major draw. Several reviewers claim these are the best in Ubud, with bar staff and named bartenders praised as “world‑class” for both classics like Espresso Martini and house creations such as hibiscus mules, pandan coladas and cucumber basil smashes.

Happy hour gets mentioned often, making it easy to work through the list; some guests even drop in just for drinks and a few bar snacks. Non‑alcoholic options – like coconut matcha mocktails – are treated with similar care.

Atmosphere: Rustic-Chic and Intimate
Inside, the look is described as laid‑back and indie, with a beautiful full‑length bar, open‑air feel, pretty lighting and artistic touches that mix industrial, tropical and “authentic Japanese vibe” notes. Music, a warm buzz and a compact room create a cozy energy; several guests say it’s a fun spot for girls’ night or a relaxed cocktail date away from Ubud’s street noise.

A few reviewers note that it can get crowded and noisy at peak hours, and one guest reported getting sick afterwards, though that seems to be an isolated experience among many glowing food comments.

Service Culture & Reservations
Service is a standout theme. Staff are frequently thanked by name – Ketut, Agung, Adi, Indra and others – and praised for remembering guests, explaining dishes and even arranging parking. Some visitors describe coming back over multiple years and finding the same warmth and professionalism.

Because the dining room is relatively small and the place is popular, several reviews and the market analysis warn that dinner reservations are strongly recommended; otherwise you may end up at the counter or turned away.

Pricing, Crowd & Overall Take
Prices sit higher than local warungs, and some backpackers feel the bill – especially once +15–21% tax and service are added – but most guests consider it excellent value compared with “a really good restaurant in Melbourne” or other big‑city benchmarks.

Expect a mix of international visitors, food‑focused travellers and cocktail fans rather than a quick budget meal crowd. For anyone who cares about inventive Asian flavours, serious drinks and attentive service – and doesn’t mind booking ahead and paying above warung level – IBU SUSU is one of Ubud’s most rewarding night‑time stops.