Why do the food carts make different noises? Part II

Food carts are as much a part of the Indonesian landscape as rice fields; and quite possibly a lot more common, especially in the cities. In Part I I talked about the tapping or tinkling noises their owners make to let you know what they’re selling, and also to attract customers. In this edition let’s look at the ones that play (often dizzyingly repetitive) tunes, others that use their voices to get attention and the ones that just hang out but still get noticed!

There are a few which play tunes that really infiltrate your subconscious if you hear them often enough. Take for example the Burgeria Burger cart which blasts out “BURGERIA BURRRGERRR” or the Walls Ice Cream guy which plays the tune of the Paddle Pop song you hear on TV: “PADDLE POP…PADDLE POP…SUPER DUPER YUMMY”. The slogans keep going round and round and round and you wonder how the sellers’ sanity levels are when they get home at night!

The slightly more silent food carts are commonly seen at the beachside, events, fairs and temple ceremonies in Bali. They simply call out their wares as they pass or people pass them. It may sound like a horse racing commentator but it’s actually food they’re talking about. If you want to buy chicken or goat satay, keep your ears out for “sataysataysatayyy”; or if you happen to be hanging out for steamed corn or peanuts, listen out for “jagungjagungjagung” or “kacangkacangkacang”. It’s impressive how fast these guys can talk!

Food carts don’t have to make noise though. If they are particularly well known or choose to rent a place in a market, vacant lot or other strategic location, their customers will come to them anyway. In the next edition of Kulture Kid I’ll recommend which the food carts are safe-bets for newcomers to ‘roadside dining’.

Copyright@ Kulture Kid 2007
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