Breaking the fast on the streets

Ani Suswantoro ,  Contributor, Jakarta   |  Mon, 09/22/2008 12:38 PM  |  Potpourri

During the month of Ramadan, heavy traffic in the capital has prevented many Muslims from reaching home in time to break the fast with their families.

Historically, popular places to buy snacks to break the fast have included Benhil markets, the Sunda Kelapa and Al Hakim mosques, Lapangan Banteng field and Jl. Kramat Raya in Senen, all in Central Jakarta. But many other places have sprouted up across the city, allowing people to break the fast in time and at an affordable price.

The Bintaro Jaya housing complex in South Jakarta, which is next to Bintaro Plaza shopping complex, houses 18 food stalls that offer another choice for cheap but delicious food.

The area, known as Pujaro (an acronym for pusat jajan Bintaro, meaning Bintaro food center), was established in 1993 to serve alongside Bintaro Plaza.

The stalls provide mainly traditional foods, ranging from seafood fried rice, pete fried rice, fried chicken, chicken noodles, meatball soup, nasi uduk (rice cooked in coconut milk and served with various side dishes), tahu telor (tofu omelette served with bean sprouts in soy sauce) and much more.

Pujaro's speciality is a seafood stall called Borolali, which serves crab with a variety of sauces. If you are a crab lover, then crab in Padang chili sauce or sweet-and-sour sauce is a must.

"Approaching the Idul Fitri holiday, there is an increase in our turnover. By that time, when maids have usually returned home, people look out for more practical ways to dine," said Abdul Kohar, the Borolali seafood stall owner.

Abdul has eight attendants at his stall, which is open until midnight.

"We manage to sell seven to eight kilograms of crab a day. Fresh crab, green mussels and fish, like bawal (pomfret) and kerapu (groper) are delivered fresh from Kamal in the Cengkareng area (West Jakarta)," he said.

Suswanto and his son are regulars at Borolali.

"To dine here, we either have to come very early or very late. Otherwise we have to wait for a free table," Suswanto said.

For those working around Pondok Indah mall in South Jakarta, there is a newly established canteen with 10 stalls located behind Ranch Market supermarket.

"I sell nasi uduk. Since the canteen is still new, only those working around here know about it," said one seller, 57-year-old Tukatmi.

Initially, the stalls -- with dishes ranging from pepes (steamed side dishes in banana leaves) to nasi uduk and meatball soup -- aim to provide lunch for those working nearby, but during the fasting month they are open until 9 p.m..

Cheap prices make this clean and spacious canteen special. A plate of nasi uduk served with egg and a glass of mineral water will only cost you Rp 4,000.

The canteen is near the Pondok Indah Grand Mosque compound. During the fasting month, dozens of stalls in this compound serve a wide range of food. The mosque management also runs a special food and fashion bazaar at the front of the complex.

Another group of stalls is located on Jl. Raden Patah behind the Al Azhar mosque in Kebayoran Baru -- selling local meals, snacks and traditional drinks. Some even offer Japanese food.

The food stall tents on this road are open from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m. to cater for people who have to break their fast on the streets.

The presence of food stalls in Bintaro, Pondok Indah and behind Al Azhar mosque has increased the list of places for people to find meals and snacks to break their fast on the busy streets of Jakarta.

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