TIMES JAZIRAH, BALI – Foto 2: Megibung ala Hotel Tugu Bali. (Photo: Hotel Tugu)

Hotel Tugu Bali has unveiled its newest cultural dining journey at IWA Restaurant: The Spice Odyssey. More than just a dinner, the program combines food, performance, and storytelling into a theatrical immersion that traces the Indonesian archipelago’s legendary spice route.

The experience is designed as a “living time capsule,” carrying guests through four defining eras in the history of Indonesia’s spices. Each course arrives not only as a dish but also as a performance, bringing to life centuries of memory and tradition.

From sacred rituals to colonial resistance, from bustling trade ports to contemporary innovation, spices are celebrated as symbols of power, unity, and resilience.

A Journey Through Time and Flavor

The odyssey begins in the first millennium BCE, when spices were revered as sacred gifts of the earth. This era is represented by Tari Kipas Pakarena from South Sulawesi, symbolizing harmony between people and nature.

Guests are then transported to the 7th–15th centuries CE, the golden age of maritime trade, where spices symbolized faith and prosperity. This flourishing era is reflected through the Tari Tortor from North Sumatra.

The narrative deepens in the 16th to early 20th century, when colonization reshaped the spice trade. Despite foreign dominance, local communities preserved identity through cuisine — flavors became quiet acts of defiance.

This spirit of resilience is portrayed through the Tari Topeng of Java. Finally, the odyssey enters the 21st century, where Indonesian heritage recipes meet bold modern interpretations, celebrating a future where Nusantara cuisine stands proudly on the world stage.

A Legacy of Cultural Dining at Tugu

The Spice Odyssey joins a series of immersive cultural dining experiences at Hotel Tugu, each dedicated to honoring Indonesia’s diverse heritage.

These include Megibung, a Balinese communal feast rooted in togetherness; the Grand Rijsttafel, a colonial-era rice table revived in a museum setting; and Royal Tugudom, a theatrical retelling of Majapahit’s royal journeys.

Guests may also experience Balinese Rajadom, Waroeng Tugu, and Selamatan Jaranan, each bringing unique traditions, stories, and performances to the table.

Through these experiences, Hotel Tugu continues its mission of preserving the archipelago’s cultural soul, where dining becomes storytelling, and every dish holds a piece of history.

A Living Tribute to the Archipelago

With The Spice Odyssey, IWA Restaurant transforms spices into more than ingredients — they become vessels of memory and symbols of resilience.

From sacred forests to colonial kitchens, from trade routes to modern innovations, the journey honors the spirit of the archipelago and its enduring influence on world cuisine.

Cultural performance dinners for The Spice Odyssey are held every Thursday at 7:30 PM at IWA Restaurant, Hotel Tugu Bali, Canggu. For reservations, guests may contact [email protected] or +62 813 3702 0904. (*)