Street food is an acquired taste, not common to many of us, the civilised ones. Though hot dog stands clamour fill the streets of New-York, the sizzling of deep frying oil those of Amsterdam, famous for its “Krokets and Oli bollen” and the sweet aroma of crepes and their sticky fillings the corners of Paris once stone paved boulevards, what is to be found in south east asia and most particularly in Bali, are true meals! Yes actually searched for and often renown by the connoisseur. And with the incredible amounts of street vendor one easily gets lost at first.
An intriguing form of such food display is the “Kaki lima” or travelling food cart. In Bahasa Indonesia, Kaki lima litterally means five feet: 3 of the cart and 2 of the vendor pushing it! In such manner, an array of “delicacies” travels on wheels across towns, villages and countryside, in search of their degustators. Properly served in plates or bowls, forks and spoons attached, one may venture in trying Bakso - meat or fish balls served in broth with a little vegetables, Soto ayam - the Indonesian chicken soup, Mie goreng - fried noodles , Sate - little cubes of meat barbecued on sticks and served with peanut sauce, Lontongs - sticky rice steamed in banana leaves and served cut in cubes with bean sprouts, fried shallots and often peanut sauce, etc... Often times hunger comes with the meal, as sound announces them, each its very own... rattle of a spoon on the side of a bowl for Bakso, bells for sate, whistle for Lsontong, everyone knows what’s coming and unconsciously begins to salivate.
Sweet are of the party too ice cream with their merry go around tune being the easiest to noticed for our untrained ears. For site or taste, enjoy!
- Posted by Stephanie Robert |
