Behind the success of Braud Cafe is the labor of love of Yoel Wijaya as the founder and baker and his wife, Tamara Alana, the Head of Creative. Along with their partners, Prika and Albert, Braud Cafe succesfully helmed one of the most famous Bakeries in Bali.
The small cafe is always packed with crowds early, from breakfast until the evening. From their day-to-day activities at the Cafe, Yoel and Tamara share their favorite food memories, latest food fascination, and their top three food destinations in Bali.
Hi! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your day-to-day activities?
My name is Yoel Wijaya. I am a baker & owner of BRAUD Artisan Bakery & BRAUD Cafe. I spend my day mostly with my wife, Tamara, and my partners Prika & Albert to run the business, baking, and dining out.
What is the most unforgettable food experience you have ever had?
The most unforgettable food experience Tamara & I had was having breakfast at Kafetaria SMK Museum in Copenhagen. We came with very low expectations, the food was so simple, but it turned out it was the best one so far.
What usually attracts you to visit a place to eat?
Usually, what attracts us the most is the food itself and the idea or story behind the establishment.
What is your most recent dining destination that left a good impression?
Recently, we went to Thailand and had the very best Pad Thai ever on Phi Phi Island. We came to the island for a stress-relief holiday with no expectations or idea of how it will be. We stopped by at street market, where there is local food offered. That particular Pad Thai literally blew us away.
Do you have any go-to venues for hanging out with friends or maybe for special occasions with family?
We love going to places like Bali Nikmat (Chinese food), Happy Chappy, and Riung Rasa. I personally love Warung Hindu for a quick casual breakfast. We love Mason, Skool Kitchen, Bartolo, and Riviera Bistro for dinner. And last but not least, HTP Seafood.
What are your favorite local dishes, and where do you go to eat them?
I love Warung Hindu; it’s straightforward, loaded with flavor, and the rice is cooked to perfection; this is the most important thing for me when it comes down to Nasi Campur. While Tamara loves Sate Warung Nengah. Fish sate done very well with clear fish broth.
Is there any food you can eat every day without getting bored?
At the end of the day, Tamara & I are Chinese, so Chinese food is our comfort food, hahaha.
Where are your top three dining places that you will always be on your favorite list?
Skool Kitchen for the best dining experience, Kumoya for the best Yakitori on the island, and Riung Rasa for the brisket!
What type of food have you enjoyed recently?
We recently enjoyed Thai Food because, at first, we had no expectations. They are just meticulously executed and loaded with flavor.
