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5 Must-Visit Best Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas: My Personal Favourites Image

Eats By Bella

5 Must-Visit Best Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas: My Personal Favourites

Best Coffee Shops in Canggu I’m not a coffee connoisseur, just a regular girl who needs her daily caffeine fix to survive the chaos of life. So don’t expect a deep dive into brewing methods, tasting notes, or "The Best Cafes in Bali" list here. Instead, I’m simply sharing my go-to coffee spots in Bali, mostly Canggu, Pererenan, and the surrounding areas - because that's where I live. This is also not a list of "The Most Instagrammable cafés" (though they are pretty cute); some are sma

Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie: Semarang’s Sweetest Escape Image

27 Feb 2025 by Bella in Eats

Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie: Semarang’s Sweetest Escape

Travelling around Java, especially Central Java is becoming more popular, thanks to new the toll road from Jakarta that makes the drive possible in just five to eight hours. While Yogyakarta has always been a tourist favourite, Semarang is starting to steal the spotlight. Some visit for its iconic landmarks like Kota Lama and the historic Lawang Sewu, while others are all about the street food. But did you know Semarang’s cafe, restaurant and bar scene is also flourishing? I won’t go into all the great spots in this article, but I have to share a little gem that stole my heart and keeps me coming back every time I’m in town; Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie. The lively and inviting space in the lobby of Padma Hotel Semarang - image by Goolali Located in the city’s current “it” spot - Padma Hotel Semarang, which has been the talk of the town since it opened, Goolali is home to over 35 flavours of gelato (well, the name does have "gelato bar" in it, hehe). They also serve beautifully crafted mini gâteaux with unique flavours, macarons, bonbons, and oh! I have to rave about the pastries! Their croissants and danishes are out of this world, especially when they’re fresh from the oven (you have to show up early in the morning for this, but it’s totally worth it!). Another highlight of visiting Goolali is their afternoon tea. Instead of the usual tiered setup, they’ve gone for a whimsical-magical-fantastical style that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. And it’s very…I hate to say this word..."Instagrammable". There, I said it. A very unique afternoon tea experience - image by Goolali The name Goolali is a playful twist on the traditional snack gulali. The overall ambiance is fun and vibrant, with bright colours and quirky dessert monster illustrations adorning the packaging and interior, created by Bandung-based artist Addy Debil. Though located in a luxury hotel, Goolali has a warm and welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home, even if you’re just stopping by for a sweet treat (yes, they happily welcome outside guests!). Some of the #TravelwithGoolali collection - image by Goolali The cute packaging makes Goolali a great gift or oleh-oleh from Semarang. Take home some homemade jams, dragées, or cookies and don’t forget to hashtag #travelwithgoolali when posting on social media! They also create beautiful hampers for special occasions, and with Ramadan around the corner, they’ve got a special collection ready. Follow @goolalisemarang on Instagram to keep an eye on their mini gâteaux of the day. Plus, be ready for the chef’s special surprises! Stay Tune at Kata Bella for more! Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie 📍 Padma Hotel Semarang Jl. Sultan Agung No.86, Wonotingal, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50252 ⏰ Opening Hour: 8am - 10pm WIB

Pastries, Passion, and a Little Bit of Magic at Theo’s Wife Lois Image

04 Feb 2025 by Bella in Eats

Pastries, Passion, and a Little Bit of Magic at Theo’s Wife Lois

I’ve got a pretty busy schedule and travel for work sometimes, but I refuse to be that person whose life is just work. So whenever I have to be out of town for a business trip, I make sure I squeeze in some me-time between meetings. I was recently in Bandung for a few days. I know Bandung has a cool coffee culture and is a fashion hub, but I only had a few hours to explore the city before my flight, so I had to be picky about where I went. In the end, I chose Theo’s Wife Lois. From what I gathered from their Instagram and menu, Theo and Lois are husband and wife who share a passion for adventures, art, and, of course, food - Theo in the hot kitchen and Lois in desserts. I somehow imagined them as Wes Anderson characters. Together, they created this charming restaurant. You can instantly sense their fun and quirky personalities the moment you step inside. I arrived quite early around 8am, and unlike in Bali, where breakfast spots are packed by 7am, the place was still empty. Or maybe I just got lucky? Because apparently, this place gets really busy. If I'm not mistaken, you are only allowed to stay for a maximum of 2 hours (but I didn't need that much to finish my breakfast so it was no biggie). Naturally, the first thing I did was explore the middle island, where all the cakes and pastries are displayed - sweet tooth represent! Since it felt like a bit of a holiday, I decided to indulge in a matcha scone and a Mochilembu - a Cilembu sweet potato flavoured bomboloni with clotted cream and a surprise mochi inside. Yum yum! Both were absolutely delicious, with just the right amount of sweetness. And let’s not forget the coffee - it was smooth and easy to drink. I think the pastry and cake varieties change every day or every other day. But when I was there, they had bombolonis with various fillings; Lembang berries, apple, azuki - and donuts with fun toppings like vanilla yuzu, peanut butter and jelly, cookie crumble, and pistachio. There was also a selection of financiers and pretzels, ranging from original and chocolate to almond nougatine. And if you're feeling a little naughty, they even had cheesecake and cookies - we make the rules when we're adults, so we are allowed to have them for breakfast right? Hehe. I didn’t see until I needed to go to the toilet that they have more seating at the back - oh, and a proper dining menu too, which looks amazing! Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to try it this time… but next time for sure! Being there, I realised that when something is made with so much love and passion, it shows in all the little details; the sweet creations, the interior, the colour palette, the witty quotes, the bright pink takeaway boxes, the sticker sets, and even the little mementos they’ve collected during their travels. I honestly feel like I could be good friends with Theo and Lois! Hahaha - if you two are reading this, hellooo! ;) If you’re ever in Bandung, this place should definitely be on your must-visit list. Whether you’re after a quiet morning treat or a full dining experience, Theo’s Wife Lois is a gem that truly reflects the love and creativity behind it. Can’t wait to go back and try more! Stay tune at Kata Bella! Ps. I did bring home more matcha scones and a yuzu one, and they were still just as good a few days later (I kept them in the freezer). Theo's Wife Lois - Jl. Progo No.23, Citarum, Bandung

Koyotake Ramen: A Comforting Homemade Ramen in Yogyakarta Image

04 Dec 2024 by Bella in Eats

Koyotake Ramen: A Comforting Homemade Ramen in Yogyakarta

“No more Instagram ads, please. I’m scared too many people will come,” laughs my dad, the man behind Koyotake Ramen, Yogyakarta. While most warung owners dream of bustling crowds, he prefers a steady stream of loyal customers who enjoy his homemade ramen. Tucked away in a quiey village in Bantul, Koyotake serves Japanese comfort food with heart – think rich Tori Paitan broth, savory Shoyu, and crispy gyozas. From Five-Star Kitchens to a Small Ramen Dream Back in the day, my dad worked in the fast-paced, always-hectic F&B department of various 5-star hotels. After years of juggling high-pressure environments, he decided to retire early in his 40s. His dream was simple: to run a small ramen shop like the ones he admires in Japanese travel documentaries. Small but mighty. Why ramen, though? And where did his love for Japanese food come from? To be honest - I’m not sure, haha! But after a few failed attempts (as all good stories go), he made that dream a reality.  Koyotake Ramen's Tori Paitan - Creamy Chicken Broth Ramen in Yogyakarta You may also like this article: Pastries, Passion, and a Little Bit of Magic at Theo’s Wife Lois It all started in a food court in South Tangerang. At first, it struggled to attract customers, so he made the bold decision to close the outlet and reopen it at home. I thought it was a better idea - not only would he save on rent, but he’d also have more flexibility and time to rest. With his passion, my mum’s support as sous chef and logistics manager (seriously, who’s better at market shopping than the ibu?), and my contribution as the self-proclaimed marketing manager, the little house warung began to gain traction. They started with a simple menu; Tori Paitan and Shoyu ramen, and slowly expanded as the warung grew in popularity.  Tan Tan Men, also a favourite menu among customers You may also like this article: Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie - Semarang’s Sweetest Escape Last year, my parents decided it was time to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and settle in a small village in Yogyakarta, where my mum originally comes from. Can’t blame them - city life can be overwhelming, especially at their age (honestly, even at mine). They reopened their ramen warung at their new house in Bantul, and it didn’t take long for them to regain popularity. One day, a well-known food blogger secretly stopped by, had dinner, and posted a Reel on Instagram. For weeks after, the warung was packed with people queuing for ramen, haha! Talk about a good problem to have, right? But now, they’ve settled into a nice rhythm, constant customers daily, not too crazy, just the right amount. So, thank you, Mr. Blogger, for bringing the unexpected blessings on my parents’ small business! If you ever find yourself in Yogyakarta and crave some home-cooked Japanese comfort food, make sure to visit Koyotake Ramen. They have added more on the menu, and don’t forget to try the gyozas!  Must-try Dishes Tori Paitan Ramen: Creamy chicken broth, slow-cooked for 8 hours. Tan Tan Men: Spicy ground chicken ramen – a crowd favorite! Homemade Gyozas: Perfectly crispy, filled with juicy chicken. Visit Koyotake Ramen 📍 Address: Jl. Nitiprayan No.56, RT.02/RW.20, Jomegatan, Ngestiharjo, Kec. Kasihan, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55182⏰ Open Tue-Sunday: 5 PM - 10 PM Ps. First person to guess what “Koyotake” means gets a free dinner on me! 😉