One of the culinary tradition in Indonesia is not only the richness of street food; one of the culinary specialities in Indonesia is that the place to eat can come to you directly to the front of the house through food carts that are pushed or shouldered.
Traditional food carts can be a sign of the distinctiveness of the archipelago’s culinary culture. They are one solution for food sellers to reach buyers, something that may not exist in other countries.
The shape is usually simple. Some carts are equipped with wheels so that they can be pedalled, but not infrequently; the simplest form can also be shouldered using a piece of wood carried on the seller’s shoulders.
This is also what amazes foreigners in Indonesia about the existence of food carts, as seen in @alexandwhite‘s TikTok video.
@alexandwhite How the locals eat in Indonesia #bule #indonesia #bandung #alexwhite ♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger
“How the locals eat in Indonesia” was the title of the uploaded video.
In the video, the foreigner says that in Indonesia, you don’t have to go out and find your dinner; the dinner usually comes to you.
The video then shows a bakso cart seller who makes the food on the cart directly.
The foreigner looks amazed at the process of making the meatballs and is also surprised that the price is so low.
“that’s the beauty of living in Indonesia, dude 😂😂” wrote one netizen.
“proud to be Indonesian 🥰, everything is cheap and delicious, bro,” wrote another netizen.
As an expat living in Indonesia, you must have come across these mobile food vendors. Have you ever tried one?
The culinary tradition of food carts in Indonesia
Food carts were created to sell speciality foods. Their development also incorporated technological advancements and people’s creativity. Above all, they are a strategy of direct trade, bringing the food directly to the customer’s doorstep, making it a convenient and accessible dining option.
Basically, a cart is a chest on wheels. The basic form is modified to become a means of selling food, but the concept remains simple.
Nowadays, many of them use carts to provide food directly to customers. What’s more, you often get a live cooking treat because the food is made right in front of your eyes. This adds an element of excitement and anticipation to your dining experience.
Some of these carts are used to meet customers at their gates, while others are used to bring merchandise from home- or a pool- to just one place. The merchandise is held in that one place until it runs out.
The food and drinks offered are not just delicious, but also very affordable, often cheaper than those sold in restaurants or stalls. This economic advantage is one of the many reasons why food carts are a beloved part of Indonesian culinary culture.
