The search for the best Chinese restaurant in Bali usually comes down to one simple question: which kitchen makes a reservation worthwhile? Golden Monkey describes itself as a Cantonese restaurant in Bali with two locations: one in the heart of Ubud and one in Sanur. Each kitchen takes its food seriously, and each one welcomes you the moment you arrive.
This is a guide to what makes a table worth booking, and where Golden Monkey fits into that search.
The Marks of an Authentic Cantonese Kitchen
Cantonese cooking rewards restraint. Fresh, clean flavours allow each ingredient’s natural character to shine.
This is where many restaurants lose their way. Bold heat and heavy sauces are easy to reach for. A true Cantonese kitchen holds back, and it lets a clear broth or a well-timed steam do the work instead.
You taste the difference in the small things. A prawn that stays sweet and yielding. A broth that comforts without weighing you down. A light hand that lifts each ingredient without overpowering it.
Dishes That Reward a Reservation
What separates the best Chinese restaurant in Bali from the rest is rarely a single dish. It is range, handled with care across every part of the menu.
Handmade Dim Sum
Dim sum is where a Cantonese kitchen reveals its skill. The Har Gow arrives as plump steamed prawn dumplings wrapped in a delicate, translucent skin that yields with the first bite. The Siu Mai pairs pork and prawn for a savoury, satisfying bite. For something richer, the Xiao Long Bao holds a rich pork broth inside a delicate wrapper that releases with the first bite.
A mixed platter is the easiest way to sample several favourites in one sitting.
Chinese BBQ and Roast Duck
The Chinese BBQ section brings colour and depth. Char Siew pork glistens with a honey glaze and caramelises at the edges. The Crispy Pork Belly stays perfectly crisp on top, with rich, tender meat beneath and a mild hoisin sauce that adds a gentle sweetness to every bite.
Roast duck deserves its own moment. If you have ever wondered about the difference between roast duck and Peking duck, both have a place here, each prepared in its own traditional way. The BBQ Combination gathers three favourites on one plate, with Char Siew Pork, Crispy Pork Belly, and roasted duck.
Hot Pot at Sanur
At the Sanur location, the menu opens into hot pot. Choose a chicken-and-pork collagen broth for something silky, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. If you enjoy spice, the signature ma la broth turns fiery, numbing, and intense, built on the deep warmth of chilli and Sichuan pepper.
You add what you like, from thinly sliced Wagyu to fresh seafood and crisp vegetables. The Sanur dining room sits near the beachfront promenade, an easy stroll from the water while still offering a relaxed dining atmosphere.
Wok Fried Classics
The wok section stays lively without tipping into heavy. Kung Pao chicken or prawn arrives bold, lightly spiced, and dynamic, with dried chilli and cashew nuts in every bite. Sweet and Sour dishes stay bright, tangy, and vibrant, never cloying. The Chicken Clay Pot braises boneless chicken in wine and shallots until tender and aromatic.
Dishes for Every Table
Golden Monkey sets a table for every kind of guest. Vegetarians will find plenty to enjoy, from stir-fried greens to tofu and vegetable specialities. Ask for garlic sauce with your greens, as the oyster sauce alternative is not suitable for all vegetarian diets. You can see the full range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes before you visit.
A few dishes are easy to misread. The Hot Plate Tofu and the Mapo Bean Curd both contain minced pork, so they belong with the meat dishes rather than the vegetarian ones.
The room works as well for a quiet dinner for two as it does for a family gathering or a celebration with friends. Service stays knowledgeable and attentive throughout, so you feel at ease before the first plate lands.
Two Locations Across Bali
Golden Monkey gives you two tables to choose from across the island.
The original sits on Jalan Dewi Sita in the centre of Ubud, open daily from noon until 10.30 pm, with last orders at 10.00. It is the home of the à la carte menu, the handmade dim sum, and the Chinese BBQ.
The Sanur location sits on the ground floor of Icon Mall Bali on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, open daily from 11.00 am until 10.00 pm, with last orders at 9.30. This is the table for hot pot, a short walk from the beachfront promenade. You can browse the full menu online before you arrive.
Reserve Your Table At the Best Chinese Restaurant in Bali
The search for the best Chinese restaurant in Bali need not be complicated. Choose the table that suits your evening, whether that is dim sum in Ubud or hot pot in Sanur.
Reserve a table at Golden Monkey, the Cantonese restaurant in Bali worth making time for, and let the kitchen take it from there.
