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.