Pasta Bitte! A Comfort Food in Canggu Bali

We had been in Bali for over a couple of weeks when my craving for pasta kicked in. I couldn’t think of a genuine cause for this sudden craving.

Although pasta has slowly climbed my comfort food list, it’s still not rice, my ultimate comfort food and true love, which almost always accompanies Balinese cuisine. Also, I was only halfway through my Balinese food list – I have yet to try Nasi Tepeng, Sate Arjuna, or Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki. On top of it all, Bali was hot and humid; it was not what I call Pasta Weather (late spring and early autumn in Melbourne).

All this to say, I don’t know why I craved pasta while in Bali. But I did.

Eventually, I gave in; we were on holiday, after all. If my tan and profoundly sweating body wishes for pasta, it shall be.

I first checked whether my favourite pasta chain in Jakarta, Popolamama, has a branch in Bali. Originating from Japan, Popolamama serves the best kind of Italian Japanese fusion pasta (if you have never had Italian Japanese fusion pasta, you are missing out on life, my friend).

Then, I turned my Google search to pasta near me – as in Canggu (I quickly learned after staying a few days in Canggu, the region champions international cuisine).

And that’s how I stumbled into Pasta Bitte. With a 4.7-star average rating and a comment stating the pasta “was even better than the one they had in Italy“, it caught my attention. I love exaggerations and delulu comments (feel free to drop one here), especially when it comes to food.

I was also intrigued by their homemade pasta and interesting menu where you choose the pasta shape and the classic recipes, including whether you prefer the pasta cooked al dente or more on the softer side.

Also, it was only 3 minutes from our Joglo Airbnb; it was almost like my pasta craving was meant to be. Or maybe I was just hungry for pasta.

I floated this pasta idea to Fafa. He said, “Pasta in Bali?! Really??” to which I replied, “Yeah, by German.”

Yes, a German Indo couple established the restaurant, and the bitte in Pasta Bitte is the German word for Please – as in “Pasta, Please!“

A Night at Pasta Bitte!

Eventually, after a few “please” from me, we sat at a small table near the entrance of Pasta Please – I mean Pasta Bitte. It was New Year’s Eve, and the well-decorated small restaurant was packed with foreigners.

I requested the classic Bolognese with shells pasta while Fafa got Pasta Bitte Sauce with Fusilli and additional chicken. If you think red pasta with chicken sounds weird, we decided to go with a young coconut each as the beverage of choice to wash down our red pasta.

While waiting, we were served Limoncello – on the house. That drink was horrendous! Fortunately, our pasta, which came soon after, was delicious. I did think the pasta needed one more minute of boiling to be al dente, but the taste made up for it.

My only other unreasonable call-out would be that they didn’t have chilli when I requested it on the side. My brain couldn’t comprehend when an Indonesian denied another Indonesian chilli, but let’s chalk it up to my shortcomings as a chilli addict Indo.

Now, was the pasta better than the one I had in Italy? Not even close!

Was it the best I had in Indonesia? No, that would be the Spaghetti Bolognese Nasu by Popolamama in Grand Indonesia, Jakarta.

Was it the best I had in Bali? Yes, but that doesn’t say much because this was my first pasta in Bali. All this to say, Pasta Bitte is a splendid choice when you are in Bali and want to break from eating delicious Balinese foods, adding a delightful twist to your culinary culture exploration.

Side note: ask them to add one more minute to their al dente timing.

Pasta Bitte Bali Address: Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.1, Canggu, Bali, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia.

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