Hawker Legends at NIHI Sumba Welcomes Jimbaran’s Grilled Seafood Pioneer

From 18 to 20 July 2026, Teba Cafe Jimbaran will bring more than two decades of family recipes, traditional grilling techniques, and Bali’s celebrated seafood culture to the shores of Sumba.

NIHI Sumba is set to host the second chapter of Hawker Legends from 18 to 20 July 2026, continuing its celebration of Indonesia’s living culinary heritage through the establishments and food custodians that have shaped local dining traditions for generations.

For this edition, the resort welcomes Teba Cafe Jimbaran, one of the pioneering names behind Bali’s renowned beachfront grilled seafood culture, for an exclusive three-day culinary residency in Sumba.

Created to honour enduring culinary institutions, Hawker Legends introduces guests to the stories, techniques, and people behind some of Indonesia’s most recognisable food traditions. The series places particular focus on family-run establishments that continue to preserve recipes and methods closely connected to their communities.

From Jimbaran’s Fishing Village to Sumba

Established in 1999, Teba Cafe Jimbaran emerged during a defining period in Jimbaran’s evolution from a traditional fishing village into one of Bali’s best-known dining destinations.

Named after Banjar Teba, one of Jimbaran’s traditional village communities, the family-run restaurant was among the early establishments that helped establish the area’s now-iconic grilled seafood experience.

For more than 25 years, Teba Cafe has remained closely connected to the traditions that first shaped its reputation. Fresh seafood sourced from local waters, warm Balinese hospitality, and a signature family marinade passed down through generations continue to form the foundation of its dining experience.

The seafood is grilled over coconut husks using techniques preserved over time, producing a distinctive smoky character that reflects the long-standing relationship between Jimbaran’s fishing heritage and its culinary culture.

A Three-Day Celebration of Balinese Flavours

Throughout the residency, guests at NIHI Sumba will experience the signature flavours that have defined Teba Cafe for more than two decades.

Fresh seafood will be marinated in the restaurant’s treasured family spice blend before being grilled traditionally over coconut husks. The menu will be accompanied by familiar Balinese favourites including plecing kangkung and sambal matah, creating an experience rooted in both flavour and cultural memory.

Rather than simply recreating a restaurant menu in a new location, the collaboration brings the atmosphere and culinary identity of Jimbaran to Sumba. Every dish carries a connection to family, place, and the preservation of traditions that might otherwise be lost as dining cultures continue to evolve.

Two Destinations Connected by Place and Tradition

Set against Sumba’s untamed landscapes, the residency brings together two destinations with strong relationships to local community and cultural preservation.

Through Hawker Legends, NIHI Sumba continues to create a platform for Indonesian culinary institutions that have safeguarded their identities across generations. The programme also offers travellers a deeper way to engage with the country’s food culture, beyond the finished plate and into the stories, techniques, and people behind it.

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