There are many sidewalk stalls in Indonesia. They are called “5 foot sidewalk stalls” because they sell on sidewalk (known as Pedagang Kaki lima: or 5 foot) where the width is 5 feet long. So, we don’t need to come in a restaurant or food stall to fill in our stomachs. If our pocket is in crisis, come and try food in the sidewalk. They usually sell on a small tent or pushcart on sidewalk city. They have unique ways to attract people. For example, a meat ball seller strikes the meat ball pan or a Indonesian chicken noodle seller makes sounds by bamboos. Sure, it will not be a boring culinary tourism.

selling food on sidewalk

Rice Table

Meal times in every region is sometimes different. In western and middle part of Indonesia, usually main food is cooked in the morning and consumed around mid day. Commonly, Indonesian kitchens only cook 1 or 2 meals a day. Then it is heated again for dinner.

It is different from western culture where food is eaten consecutively such as appetizer, main food, and dessert. Indonesian culture is eating main food directly without any appetizer or dessert, whereas Indonesia has many cakes, cookies, and snacks and they’re suitable to become desserts. In fact, the cakes are often eaten anytime among breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s no certain time to eat cakes. And there are many servings and fresh Indonesian drink such as es campur (mixed ice), es teler that can be served after main food.

Also, as a country where most of the people are Moslems, rules of religion has changed tradition. Therefore, praying before eating and using right hand when eating seems obligated and it is taught since in childhood. So, generally using a spoon is on right hand and fork is in left hand.