Warung Mek Juwel, Sayan Ubud: Betutu Chicken Rice for Rp25-30k

A plate of nasi campur ayam at Warung Mek Juwel in Sayan costs Rp30k (about US$1.85) according to IDN Times in August 2025, while detikBali (April 2026) says "from Rp25k". There is one dish, it opens daily 8am-5pm, and the sides thin out after lunch. Checked October 2026.

What is on the plate

The core is ayam betutu: chicken (free-range or broiler) grilled first, then cooked in betutu spice paste so it picks up a smoky note. Around it come sambal matah, sambal embe, sate lilit, urap, fried noodles, a Balinese-spiced egg, chicken offal and sager. Extras include chicken intestine, tempeh and pork crackling.

On halal: several outlets describe the warung as halal because it does not cook pork. We found no official halal certificate, and pork crackling supplied from outside is sold at the same counter. If you keep strict halal, factor that in.

A short history

The betutu recipe comes from the grandmother, who sold food at the roadside during temple ceremonies around the 1970s, and passed to Mek Juwel. The third generation runs it now. Some older blogs say "since 1980", so the exact year varies between sources. The warung moved to its current spot, a family compound in Banjar Sayan Kutuh, in 2008.

Honest verdict

• Arrive before 1pm. detikFood once arrived at 2pm and the plate was no longer complete.
• It is spicy. The sambal embe and matah are sharp, and some reviews find it a little oily.
• It is hidden. It sits down a lane off the main Sayan road. Use the map pin rather than looking for a sign.
• No dinner, and not wheelchair friendly (floor seating and an earth yard).
• The upside: tables or lesehan gazebos in a shady yard with rice field views. To compare another style of Balinese chicken nearby, try Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku.

Parking and Getting There

• Address: Jl. Melati, Banjar Sayan Kutuh, Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar. About 4.5 km from Ubud Palace. View on Google Maps
• Parking: IDN Times (2025) and Google reviews mention an adequate parking area. A 2019 blog described the access as a narrow lane, so large cars are better left on the main road.
• Payment: no source confirms QRIS. Bring cash.
• Instagram: search on Instagram

One last tip: pair it with a lunch stop in Sayan and an afternoon by the Ayung River. If a friend is vegetarian, Moksa is a few minutes away.