Bali Hai Restaurant

My favorite restaurant! I haven't been back in a while, but it will always have a special place in my heart. Who doesn't love getting to construct your own tower of all of your favorite ingredients without being overwhelmed with too many choices and having to communicate it to another person? I remember being so strategic with my stacking, starting with meats and heavy veggies at the bottom and ending with the light bean sprouts and green onions on top. This has since not been as important since they changed the pricing to per pound. The only thing I wish they would change is the extra charge for tofu and that they could open a little earlier for lunch so I could beat the traffic to get there.

I actually haven't been in a while since graduating and moving away from Durham, but in hindsight, this is definitely a 5-star location! It's great bang for buck, close to campus, and most importantly, really kind staff and owners. It's a place that is home to many nostalgic college memories of eating with friends.Just wanted to highlight the last paragraph of my original review, because I think humanizing those who own these local businesses reminds me of why it's important to support them:"The waiting staff is always very nice, and last time I really saw how it's a great locally-owned restaurant! Admittedly, this is a little unconnected to the restaurant experience itself, but I feel it's still a reflection of the owner. My friends and I went to buy groceries after going to Bali Hai, and we ran into the owner in the ice cream aisle. She remembered us because we literally paid for our dinner 20 minutes before. She told us about the buy 2 get 3 free deal on the Breyer's ice cream, but we only wanted one tub. So, she paid for our carton with the four she was already going to buy (for her customer's grandkids)! Such a sweet woman who makes me want to keep supporting her business."

Atmosphere: We went to Bali Hai pre-COVID lockdowns. Bali Hai had a large yet simple dining area with a buffet bar where you could stack ingredients onto your bowl. In the back of the restaurant, you would drop off your bowl to the chefs who would grill up your chosen ingredients! Service: The service was always friendly and quick. We never had to wait long for our food to come out, and they brought out your order to the table for you!Food: The customization at Bali Hai was great. We each ordered a bowl (one with house sauce and one with combination sauce level 3) and went to a buffet bar to stack our plates. The selection of meats and vegetables were great, and the cooking was fresh. Both sauces were yummy and had just the right levels of flavor and spice!Overall: For the price, Bali Hai is a must-try especially for Duke students. We will note that our review is based on pre-COVID lockdown conditions when the food was priced by bowl (instead of by weight). Nonetheless, Bali Hai's food is fresh and comes hot in minutes!

Anytime we get even close we are going to Bali Hai. We take our friends. We introduce them to this phenomenon. We have been to California, Crazy Fire, etc. and Bali Hai beats them every time. Why? Because the sauce is consistent. When you ask for a combination 6 you get the same sauce every time. When you go to other places you have to make your own sauce and it can be a disappointment.It's a hole in the wall as far as ambience. But that isn't what you are there for.Personally I get a bowl for meat and a bowl for veggies. You stack them strategically. They won't let you take your extras to go so get what you want. (They do take out) I like a little heat but if you don't you can just get sweet and sour sauce. They have a very limited beer and wine menu. They serve Pepsi products.

Bali Hai Restaurant is designed after the theme where one pays for a specific bowl size, and you stuff it as full and as high as you can; then that food gets tossed and fried on a large hot plate and served to you at your table. You can pick different meats or tofu for an additional cost and pick which type of sauce flavors you want.I've had this type of food before and I've experienced better quality and selection of food. I think that for the price, it's a decent location, especially for those looking for a cheaper food dining option, such as students close to this downtown area. Service is relatively quick.There is nothing special about the design or interior of Bali Hai. There are plenty of tables and seats for larger groups. It has a very simple layout, and isn't trying to be something it's not. Bali Hai is okay for what it is, but I probably would choose something else if I was back in this area.

I've been here a few times for lunch, and it's pretty good! The combination sauce at a level 5 is perfect for me. You can get one bowl or two for the Mongolian grill...and fill the bowl(s) with veggies/fruit as high as you can! I also like to add chicken and noodles on mine! Service is great! Someone will take your order, and then you put the ticket on your tray so they know how to cook it once you've picked out all your veggies/fruit. Then the waitstaff brings it to your table. It's nothing fancy inside, but they serve nice portions of food, for a good price.There is a small parking lot, or free 2-hour on street parking.

I had been wanting to try this place for a while, and finally stopped by after a long day of classes. Overall, glad I made the decision to go! They are doing food by the lb now, but it was still a great deal. The veggies were all super fresh, and the wait staff was great about taking me through the process! The house sauce is bomb and just what I needed. Excited to go back!

The service was great and very friendly. Food was prepared quickly and we were able to dine inside. Our food was delicious, though the fried rice was just rice with soy sauce, no vegetables or egg. Put entrees were very good and the combination sauce was perfect with the right amount of heat. I wish they had more protein options, only beef, pork or vegetarian when we were there. I would certainly go back and recommend to friends.

So, you select your own raw food (veggies, bean sprouts, thinly sliced meats), put them in a bowl or two (no more stacking contests - as they no longer charge by the bowl) and bring it to the counter. One employee asks you if you'd like add-ons (think tofu/shrimp), what kind of sauce you'd like, and another employee cooks your food on a giant round gas fired grill (you can watch - kids dig this). The cook is graceful and skilled - he makes it look easy! Food is usually tasty and pretty consistent. You pay by the cooked weight - and extra charges for add-ons. My issue with this place is that now ALL meals are served in styrofoam take-out containers. Yuck! I don't want a side of micro-plastics with my hot meal. I feel like I am betraying the Earth and leaving a pile of garbage for my children to clean up every time I visit this place. Please bring back washable plates for those of us who eat there/don't take our food to go! Very simple ambience is okay.

Love this place has been a staple on 9th Street forever and has never disappointed. As is standard for Mongolian BBQ, it has something for everyone in the family: you go through and pick what you want, and can watch them cook it. Customizations galore, from tofu to shrimp. Brown rice, white rice, spicy, mild, you got it.People are friendly and helpful, price is reasonable. This place kept us full during covid. Love it!