honestly this is why i feel like the traditional cart-hawker system found in the rest of southeast asia still has viability as well - sg hawker model gives access to clean running water and utilities and a roof over your head but also boxes you in with having to deal with landlords and other fun BS
in jakarta the roadside cart goer can just set up shop anywhere, maybe provide space for seating etc.
but whatever bribes they pay so the authorities look the other way is still comparatively miniscule to some of the hawker operators BS they’re trying to pull here
could be worse, in malaysia i hear you’re not allowed to order just food, a drink MUST be ordered as well (usual practice in both countries is that the landlord operates the drinks stall as it is a guaranteed revenue source)
@cell Sounds like an interesting business niche that I know absolutely nothing about. Is it like a dude with a food cart who goes around apartment buildings or something?
@moth_ball oh they just set up shop at the side of the road (typically in high traffic areas such as near interchanges or businesses etc) and people will come and order their food and either takeaway or have it nearby
the beauty of this system is that it has minimal regulations and minimal overhead and no landlord to answer to, you are your own king
the downside of course if you aren’t used to this kind of food, food poisoning may occur
the “illegal” food cart is a staple of asian culture and cuisine, but it is interesting to see how it evolved in different countries (e.g. japan where they first got organized under yakuza then government zoning efforts, singapore with hawker centres, etc.)
@grillchen@cell A significant amount of cooking oil used in China is gutter oil, which is literally scooped up from the sewers. Knowing Chinese morals, this stuff is probably used whenever the business owner can get away with it.
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