Not every great Bali food experience happens in a picture-perfect setting with ocean views and design-forward interiors. Some of the most memorable meals happen in no-frills warung that have been serving the same recipe for decades to customers who keep coming back out of loyalty to a flavor that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Sate Plecing Arjuna Bali in Denpasar is exactly that kind of place, a legendary local warung that has earned a devoted following since the 1980s on the strength of one distinctive dish: satay served with the pungent, spicy Balinese sambal plecing.
SatuSatu, a Bali travel platform connecting travelers with the island’s best authentic experiences, knows this warung as one of Denpasar’s most genuine culinary institutions. Here’s the full guide before you visit.
What is Sate Plecing Arjuna?
Sate Plecing Arjuna is a long-running warung in North Denpasar, located on Jalan Arjuna No. 47 in the Dauh Puri Kaja neighborhood.
The name comes from two things: the street it sits on, and the dish it specializes in, sate plecing, which is grilled meat served with sambal plecing, a Balinese chili sauce made from raw chilies, garlic, candlenut, shrimp paste, and fresh lime juice that produces a spicy, sour, and slightly pungent flavor quite different from the peanut sauce most satay comes with elsewhere.
The warung was founded by Tjo Hok Tjiang and Tjwie Giok, and the cooking method has remained unchanged: charcoal grilling that adds a smokiness you can smell from the street. The warung seats around 40 people and fills up steadily from opening toward peak lunch hours, when queues are common.
The Menu: What to Order
The signature order at Sate Plecing Arjuna is Sate Babi Plecing, pork satay served with the plecing chili sauce. The warung is not halal-certified, as pork is the primary protein and the pork and beef satay share the same grill.
For non-pork diners, the beef meatball soup (bakso sapi) is the recommended halal option, as the beef itself is halal but shares cooking space.
The full menu includes Sate Babi Plecing (spicy pork satay), Sate Babi Manis (sweet pork satay), Sate Sapi Plecing (beef satay with plecing), Sate Sumsum Sapi (beef bone marrow satay), Soto Daging Sapi (beef soup), Soto Bakso Sapi (beef and meatball soup), and Bakso Sapi (plain meatball soup).
The bone marrow satay, Sate Sumsum Sapi, has attracted particular attention from visitors who describe its texture as uniquely soft and rewarding. Each portion of satay consists of 10 skewers. Prices are affordable, with pork plecing satay and beef satay at around IDR 41,000 per portion, and soup at approximately IDR 30,000.
A full meal for one person including satay, soup, rice, and a drink typically comes to around IDR 60,000 to IDR 80,000.
Location and Getting There
The warung sits at the intersection of Jalan Arjuna in North Denpasar, not far from Badung Market (Pasar Badung). The location is in a genuine Denpasar neighborhood rather than a tourist strip, which means parking for cars can be tight given the corner position.
Motorcycle parking is available on both sides of the warung. From the airport, the drive takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Opening hours are from approximately 07:00 (or 09:00 per some sources) through to around 16:30. The lunch rush runs from 11:30 to 14:00, when the warung regularly fills to capacity. The best approach is to arrive just after opening or to visit after the main lunch crowd, around 13:30 to 14:00.
What Makes Sate Plecing Arjuna Special
The plecing sambal at this warung has a flavor profile distinct from other plecing vendors around Bali, which is exactly why regulars keep driving across Denpasar to eat here. The charcoal cooking method adds depth to the meat that gas-grilled satay simply doesn’t deliver.
The spicy sauce, with its combination of raw chili heat, shrimp paste umami, and lime juice acidity, coats each skewer and makes for a combination that is genuinely addictive.
The warung has appeared on local television and attracted attention from domestic food media over the years. Service is described by some visitors as brusque, which the owner has attributed to the high-volume, high-heat cooking environment rather than any intent. The food makes it worth the wait and any occasional abruptness.
Explore Bali Further with SatuSatu
SatuSatu is a Bali travel platform that helps travelers find authentic experiences across the island, from Denpasar’s legendary warung to iconic cultural performances and seamless transport. Everything is bookable directly on SatuSatu.com with local payment options available.
For getting around Denpasar and beyond, SatuSatu’s Exclusive Car Charter provides a dedicated local driver with fully flexible timing, letting you add a Sate Plecing Arjuna stop to a broader Denpasar or Bali day itinerary, bookable on SatuSatu.com
SatuSatu’s Airport Transfer service handles arrivals from Ngurah Rai with transparent pricing and same-day booking, making your start to any Bali trip smooth and stress-free.
And for one of Bali’s most extraordinary cultural experiences, the Uluwatu Temple Kecak and Fire Dance at sunset is a must. SatuSatu offers same-day booking with bonus merchandise, and this is one of the platform’s best-selling experiences with over 1,000 tickets sold.
All bookings are made directly on SatuSatu.com supporting BCA, Mandiri, OVO, DANA, credit cards, and more.
FAQ about Sate Plecing Arjuna Bali
What is Sate Plecing Arjuna?
It is a legendary warung in North Denpasar, Bali, known for its sate plecing, satay grilled over charcoal and served with a spicy Balinese sambal plecing sauce made from chilies, shrimp paste, and lime.
Where is Sate Plecing Arjuna?
The warung is at Jalan Arjuna No. 47, Dauh Puri Kaja, North Denpasar, Bali, near Badung Market.
Is Sate Plecing Arjuna halal?
The warung is not fully halal-certified as pork and beef share the same grill. The beef meatball soup (bakso sapi) is the recommended option for diners avoiding pork.
What are the opening hours?
The warung is open from approximately 07:00 to 16:30. The lunch rush runs from 11:30 to 14:00.
How much does it cost at Sate Plecing Arjuna?
A portion of pork or beef satay costs around IDR 41,000. Soup is around IDR 30,000. A full meal for one person typically costs IDR 60,000 to IDR 80,000.