Eaterie quiet as fasting month begins

Eaterie quiet as fasting month begins

Damar Harsanto and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Most small food stalls across the capital were closed on
Saturday, while larger eateries remained open, though fairly
quiet, on the first day of the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Most small food stall owners around the Palmerah area, West
Jakarta, observed their tradition of welcoming the fasting month
by closing for several days.

"We always close our food stall over the first days of the
fasting month. This is part of our tradition of welcoming the
holy month," said Faisol, who runs a small food stall in
Palmerah.

Faisol said that he spent the first days of Ramadhan with his
family and would resume business after that, except for the last
three days of Ramadhan when Idul Fitri is celebrated, locally
known as Lebaran.

"Many food stalls here closed their businesses today. Only few
are open," said Widya Trimulyatno, who owns a Chinese food stall
at Jatinegara traditional market in East Jakarta.

In the busy Blok M shopping district, however, the first day
of Ramadhan saw relatively no change as food stalls dotting the
area in several places remained open.

Jono, 38, said that he had no reason to close his business as
he wanted to provide for his family's needs for the Idul Fitri
celebrations. He said that most food stalls around Blok M area
remain open during Ramadhan.

The same is evident along Jl. Wahid Hasyim, near the Sarinah
building in Central Jakarta. Food stall operators there share the
aim of preparing for Idul Fitri.

But many medium and large-scale food stalls and restaurants,
including bakeries, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, remained open,
though were less crowded. Out of respect for fasting Muslims,
they hung curtains to conceal the consumption of food inside.

Japanese restaurant chain Hoka-Hoka Bento, steak and bakery
restaurant Gandy, Dunkin' Donuts and Taman Kuring restaurant, all
in the vicinity of Menteng, Central Jakarta, were open for
business.

Many customers will return in the second week of Ramadhan
after their family reunions during the first week, Wage said.

Dunkin' Donuts staff member Achmad Sulthoni concurred, adding
that, although the restaurant remained open, they covered the
windows with banners.

"It's the only way to show respect for those who are fasting
now," he said.

Some big restaurants, like those on Jl. KH Mansyur in Central
Jakarta, announced that they would open from 4 p.m. until 4 a.m.
during the fasting month.

Muslims break their fast at around 6 p.m. and start fasting
again at around 4 a.m., after eating their pre-dawn meal.

Unlike those restaurants experiencing a drop in customer
numbers, Joy Saragih, the owner of Batak food restaurant
Tondongta adjacent to the House of Representatives building, said
his restaurant was visited by many people.

"Many customers said they came here because other restaurants
are closed," Joy said.