Mie Goreng Cakalang and the Story of Indonesian Fried Noodles
You can find mie goreng all over Indonesia, from warung counters and night market carts to family kitchens. In Ubud, it is easy to come across this dish almost anywhere. However, it is rare to find a restaurant in Ubud that puts real care into making mie goreng special.
At CasCades Restaurant & Bar, Mie Goreng Cakalang is served with homemade noodles, smoked bonito, scrambled egg, and vegetables on the open terrace overlooking the Valley of the Kings. This dish shows how a simple fried noodle can become something worth savouring all afternoon.
Where Mie Goreng Comes From
Mie goreng comes from Chinese chow mein, brought to Indonesia by Chinese immigrants and changed over time to fit local tastes. It became sweeter and more aromatic, thanks to sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, and chilli. Today, mie goreng is one of Indonesia’s most popular noodle dishes, enjoyed everywhere from roadside stalls to restaurants.
Why Homemade Noodles Matter
The quality of mie goreng depends on the noodles themselves. Store-bought noodles often get too soft when cooked, and the seasoning does not stick well. Homemade noodles keep their shape and have a nice chew from the first bite to the last.
The texture of the noodles helps hold the flavour. When noodles have a bit of bite, the seasoning sticks to them, so each strand is coated, and nothing collects at the bottom of the plate. In Mie Goreng Cakalang, the smoked fish, scrambled egg, and vegetables all rely on these homemade noodles to bring the dish together.
The Smoked Bonito
The rich flavour in Mie Goreng Cakalang comes mainly from the fish, not just the seasoning. In Manado, North Sulawesi, cakalang means skipjack tuna, which is also known as bonito. Smoking the fish makes it firmer and gives it a deep and savoury taste.
Because of the smoked fish, the dish does not need strong seasoning. The smoky flavour mixes with the noodles, the scrambled egg adds softness, and the vegetables keep it fresh. This creates a noodle dish with a gentle, coastal flavour that grows with each bite, making it a quiet highlight of the Indonesian Heritage menu.
On the Indonesian Heritage Menu
The Mie Goreng Cakalang sits within the Indonesian Heritage section of the menu at CasCades Restaurant & Bar, a tribute to the traditions, spices, and cultural flavours of the archipelago. You can order it at both lunch and dinner, which makes it one of the most versatile plates on the list.
It shares that section with two dishes you should know alongside it. The Nasi Goreng Kambing is its natural companion: Indonesian lamb fried rice with lamb satay, pickled vegetables, emping crackers, and sambal. The Sop Buntut takes your table in a slower direction, with grilled oxtail, an aromatic oxtail soup, boiled vegetables, steamed rice, sambal, and crackers.
If you are exploring Indonesian food in Ubud, the everyday classics are the fairest test of a restaurant in Ubud, because that is where care shows most clearly. Mie goreng in Ubud rarely receives this much thought, and the Mie Goreng Cakalang shows you what the dish becomes when it does.
How to Order It
There are three ways to enjoy Mie Goreng Cakalang, depending on how you want to spend your afternoon.
Order it by itself for a complete and relaxed lunch. Noodles, fish, egg, and vegetables come together on one plate, and you can enjoy it slowly on the open terrace with the Petanu River below. All you need is a cold drink and some time to unwind.
If you like more heat, add sambal to make the dish as spicy as you want. Mix it in a little at a time so the smoked fish flavour still stands out.
You can also share it with others and enjoy it with other Heritage dishes. Try it with Nasi Goreng Kambing, Sop Buntut, Beef Rendang, or Satay Skewers for a taste of different Indonesian flavours. If you want to learn more about these dishes, check out the guide to traditional Indonesian food before you order.
What to Drink With It
Fried noodles go best with a cold, refreshing drink. Bintang draught beer is a classic choice, light and crisp to balance the smoked fish. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, lychee iced tea adds a gentle, floral sweetness that pairs well with the savoury noodles.
For something with more flavour, try the Kura Kura Island Ale. The drinks menu also features Kura Kura IPA, so both are good choices if you want to explore Indonesian craft beer in Bali.
Reserve Your Table Above the Valley
You can order the Mie Goreng Cakalang daily at lunch and dinner at CasCades Restaurant & Bar, open from 11 AM to 9 PM on Jalan Lanyahan, Banjar Nagi, within Viceroy Bali. If you are searching for mie goreng in Ubud that is worth the journey, this is the restaurant in Ubud where the everyday fried noodle is given the attention it deserves, served by a team that remembers your name. The terrace tables facing directly across the Valley of the Kings are worth requesting when you book.
You can book your table online through WhatsApp or by emailing res@cascadesbali.com. Enjoy your lunch above the valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mie Goreng Cakalang?
Mie Goreng Cakalang is an Indonesian fried noodle dish made with homemade noodles, smoked bonito, scrambled egg, and vegetables. Cakalang is the Manado word for skipjack tuna, which you may know as bonito, and the smoked fish gives the dish its depth. At CasCades Restaurant & Bar in Ubud, you will find it on the Indonesian Heritage menu.
Is mie goreng spicy?
Mie goreng is usually more savoury than spicy, with a gentle sweetness and a level of heat that varies from cook to cook. It is often eaten with sambal so you can add heat to taste, and you can enjoy the Mie Goreng Cakalang the same way.
Is Mie Goreng Cakalang available at dinner?
Yes. You can order the Mie Goreng Cakalang from the Indonesian Heritage menu at both lunch and dinner at CasCades Restaurant & Bar, with the same price and description at either seating. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.