Warung Mertha Sari, Pesinggahan: Klungkung’s Legendary Fish Satay Set

About one kilometre before Pura Goa Lawah on the Klungkung–Candidasa road sits a plain open-air warung that Bali food lovers have been driving to since the early 1980s: Warung Mertha Sari in Pesinggahan village, Dawan district, Klungkung Regency. Locals call it Warung Bu Mangku Pesinggahan. There is no long menu here — you sit down and a complete fish set arrives.

What Comes in One Set

Everything is made from sea fish (usually tongkol or tuna) and served all at once on several small plates:

• Sate lilit ikan — minced fish seasoned with base genep spice paste, wrapped around lemongrass or bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal.
• Sate languan — the Klungkung coast’s skewered fish satay, sweet-savoury with lightly caramelised edges.
• Pepes or tum ikan — spiced fish wrapped in banana leaf, steamed and then grilled.
• Clear yellow fish soup — a fresh, slightly sour broth that balances everything off the grill.
• Urap vegetables, fried peanuts, steamed rice and sambal matah that is genuinely fiery.

Prices and Atmosphere

• Roughly Rp35,000–Rp60,000 per set, drinks not included. Prices follow the daily fish price and can change, so confirm when you order.
• You eat lesehan style on mats in an open pavilion, no air conditioning, with the Pesinggahan sea breeze.
• Drinks are simple: young coconut, iced tea or iced lime. Bring cash and do not count on cards.
• You can ask for extra fish if the set is not enough — just tell the server.

Best Time to Come and Queue Tips

• Arrive before noon. The warung opens at midday and often runs out of fish in the afternoon, especially on weekends and Balinese holidays.
• Avoid 12.00–13.30 unless you want to share the pavilion with tour groups; 10.30–11.30 is far calmer.
• There is parking in the front yard and along the roadside; take care pulling out, as the Klungkung–Candidasa road is busy.
• Pair it with Pura Goa Lawah (about a five-minute drive) or continue on to Candidasa beach.

Practical Info & Reservations

• Location: Pesinggahan village, Dawan, Klungkung — View on Google Maps
• Opening hours: daytime only, generally from around 10.00–11.00 until the fish runs out (often closed before dusk). Hours can change; the best time to arrive is before 12.00.
• How to order: walk in, no formal reservations. For delivery, check availability in the GoFood/GrabFood apps.
• Social media: search on Instagram.
• Note: the menu is entirely sea fish, not pork — still, ask directly if you have dietary restrictions.

To enjoy Pesinggahan without rushing, stay around Klungkung, Candidasa or Sanur with an AccessiaPass hotel voucher so there is budget left for one more portion of sate lilit.