Roadside food sellers upset

Roadside food sellers upset

YOGYAKARTA: Many roadside food vendors along Jl. Malioboro are uncertain about the future of their businesses because the exceptionally high prices set by a few sellers has scared away customers, mostly tourists.

The roadside food stalls or lesehan as locals call them, are a a feature peculiar to the ancient city. They open at night after shops are closed. Customers sit on a mat where the food is served quickly.

The overpricing by several sellers has been widely criticized in the local mass media. Warnings that too expensive lesehan food could threaten the survival of the vendors are frequently heard, Antara said.

Some vendors eager to rake in big profits sell a piece of fried chicken at Rp 5,000. The same piece can be obtained at about Rp 1,500 in a stall somewhere else.

There are about 900 registered lesehan food vendors in the city. (pan)