Sup Kepala Ikan Tiga Pala di Sesetan, Denpasar, Bali

Once you like it, there's no going back. This has been the proven proverb for many foodies encountering cuisine extreme to their comfort zone, like this Fish Head Soup, and there's this one place in Sesetan, Denpasar, Bali that should be your destination if you're finally decided to take the leap. So far this place has successfully converted several Aussies and Pinoy in our office.

"Tiga Pala" has nothing to do with nutmeg (Pala in Indonesian), instead it refers to slang for "kepala" (head in Indonesian), which shown in the business's logo of three fish heads. Tiga Pala sell the Northern Sumatra style fish head soup, unlike Mak Beng's Balinese.

Since all of my lunch mates ordered the Sop Kepala Ikan Gulai alias fish head in curry, balancing the table I was ordering Sop Kepala Ikan Asam Pedas or spicy and sour fish head soup instead. There are three different size of serving; sedang, besar, and super (small, regular, and big), and they differs in the fish head's size not amount.

Our order came some while later, mine first, and it consisting of a half of Kakap Putih (Baramundi) head instead of Kakap Merah (Snapper) as the menu stated. It's spicy tangy soup fits well those looking for an uplifting and energizing meal, and it's degree of spiciness is quite moderate compared with Balinese standard so it's quite everyone's meal.

While it tasted fine, however their Sop Kepala Ikan Gulai is superb! It has rich savoury soup matches well with the fish head's delicate meat.

Btw I'm eyeing their Sop Udang Nanas for my next visit.

Happen to pass by Sesetan or Jl. Raya Kuta in Denpasar? Don't hesitate to stop by. (byms)