We were coming off an amazing couple of days exploring Nusa Pedina. The island was one of the most beautiful we’d ever seen, and we spent long days driving on crazy dirt roads, climbing down cliff sides to deserted beaches, and spending one afternoon searching for the drone after it crashed into a mountain. Needless to say, we were exhausted and our diet had been consisting of mainly authentic Indonesian dishes, so tons of rice and noodles, and we were craving something FRESH. Daydreaming of smoothies, juices, maybe even a salad or some simple sautéed vegetables.. little did we know, our dreams were about to come true.
Ginger and Jamu ended up being only a (literal) one-minute walk up the beach from where we were staying on Nusa Lembongan. I could tell immediately after walking in, that we had found what we were looking for. The menu was packed with smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and tons of vegan dishes like avocado toast, veggie tacos, and unique bowls. The vibes of the cafe are friendly and inviting, with cozy lounge spots where you can enjoy your meal with your toes in the sand.
We got to catch up with Jaime, Sunny, and Kai about how the business got started, the deets on their amazing menu, the fun stuff they have going on, and what the plans are for the future of Ginger and Jamu.
Ginger and Jamu opened in April 2017, after Sunny, whose background is in yoga, had found the perfect location while walking up the beach the year before. She said, “I wanted to create a cafe where people could come and be connected to nature and the ocean .” She started her studio, Yoga Village, and called up her friend Jaime to help with creating her vision for the cafe.
Jaime’s background is in hospitality, managing various restaurants and he also has a passion for cooking and health, which brought him to study at the Institute for Integrative Health in New York. Together they created the magic that is Ginger and Jamu, a beachfront cafe that offers fresh, nourishing meals that promote vibrant, healthy lifestyles. We also got to catch up with Sunny’s son, Kai, who moved over to Lembongan from Australia 5 months ago to help out with the business. He’s loving the culture and island living, taking lessons to learn the native Balinese language. You can really feel that it’s a family affair at Ginger and Jamu.
All of the dishes are created with ingredients as local and high quality as possible, most of which come from either Bali or Nusa Penida while taking pride in the fresh preparation of every meal. There is something for everyone at Ginger and Jamu, from omnivores to herbivores. When we asked Jaime about his own personal diet, he said “it’s not about creating a hard line between what it is I do or do not eat. I think it’s important to listen to what your body needs, and take account of how grounded and at peace, you feel.” The perfect sentiment to sum up mindful eating.
During our stay on Lembongan, we ate at Ginger and Jamu every day. It quickly became our favorite place on the island. Some of our favorite dishes include the Pink Panther, a refreshing smoothie bowl made with dragonfruit, raspberries, banana, and coconut cream, and the Smashing Pumpkin, a delicious, savory bowl made with roasted pumpkin, cauliflower, pepitas, and hummus. These items we ate every single day, and I honestly doubt they would ever get old! We also loved their Jamu shots, an Indonesian healing tonic made with fresh turmeric, tamarind, and honey. A great boost for your immune system!
On top of running the yummy cafe, they also do yoga teacher training throughout the year right upstairs for Santosha Yoga Institute. We got to meet a few of the trainees from the program to record a testimonial for them, and it was really sweet to hear their glowing reviews. You can feel the sense of community and spirituality at Ginger and Jamu, which is an aspect we really appreciate.
So what’s next for Ginger and Jamu? Jaime told us about their vision to open up a second cafe on the neighboring island, Nusa Pedina. With a lot more open space available, they’d be able to manifest their dream of having their very own farm to supply all of the food for their plant-rich menu.
We want to thank Sunny, Jamie, and Kai for having us at Ginger and Jamu, everything from the vibes to the food was on point and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for you all!
