Lesehan Merta Sari: A Traditional Coastal Culinary Gem in Klungkung Since 1980
Lesehan Merta Sari is a legendary eatery in Pesinggahan Village, Dawan District, Klungkung, Bali. This establishment, which has been around since 1980, serves traditional coastal seafood dishes.
Several state officials and celebrities from the capital city have visited and enjoyed its offerings. One of the customers whose photo is still displayed is the 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
In an interview with detikBali, the third child of the restaurant’s owner, I Komang Yunianti (47), said that Megawati’s visit in the photo was in 2006. Although she hasn’t returned since then, in 2025, Megawati ordered 20 portions of the complete package through her aide.
“The order was placed at night, and we immediately prepared it and delivered it at 5 a.m. Bu Mega really likes the fish soup. She always asks for extra,” Komang told detikBali on Saturday (May 16, 2026).
Besides Megawati, Lesehan Merta Sari also has many customers from the ministerial level. One of the other customers Komang remembers is businessman and former chairman of the Golkar party, Aburizal Bakrie.
“Many figures come here when they are visiting East Bali. If the event is in Denpasar, they usually order and we deliver it there. Bu Mega’s last order was when there was an event in Sanur,” she explained.
The visits of several state officials and public figures do not change the menu served. The restaurant still serves the same dish.
The complete portion consists of one plate of white rice, one bowl of fish soup, grilled minced fish skewers, grilled fish skewers, and steamed fish in banana leaves. There are also additional servings of urap (mixed vegetables with grated coconut) and fried peanuts. Excluding drinks, one portion can be enjoyed for Rp 40,000.
According to Komang, no matter who the guest is, there is no additional menu. It remains the same. If state officials come, the only difference is that the grilled minced fish, steamed fish, and skewers are served separately.
“Usually, they are served on one plate. At most, if it’s an official, we separate them. That’s it. The menu hasn’t changed since the beginning,” she explained.
History of Establishment
This restaurant was started by a husband and wife, Nengah Sade (deceased) and Wayan Dunia (72), in 1996. However, according to Komang, her parents started selling on a small scale in 1980. Over time, this place became increasingly popular.
Since the beginning, the signature menu at this restaurant has been grilled minced fish and yellow fish soup. Komang said that some of their customers from the 1990s still come regularly.
At the same location, detikBali interviewed one of the customers who said that he had been coming to this restaurant with his parents since he was a child. His name is Ngurah Badak Agung (40). He said that nothing has changed from the menu served from the Lesehatan Merta Sari kitchen.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a child. Nothing has changed. But now, the ingredients are tuna, while before it was awan fish. That was more delicious. It’s like chicken, if tuna is like broiler chicken, awan fish is like free-range chicken,” Ngurah explained.
The road access to this legendary restaurant is now quite good compared to decades ago. If you are coming from the west, it is located about one kilometer before Gowa Lawah. If you want to make it easier, just open the map on your device.