Last night, I met Bu Komang and Pak Wayan… As I walked around the food stalls or Gerobak’s in my area I came across this nice little food stall and decided to ask permission and make content. Reluctantly Bu Komang agreed and in the meantime her husband Pak Wayan joined us as well. So… Let’s Eat, Nasi Jinggo!
Street Eats in Bali
I was filming content for my TikTok account when I stumbled upon a row of food stalls or Gerobak’s, unlike anything you would see in North America. These weren’t your typical restaurants – they were tiny stands packed with flavor. They sold everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to sweet treats and savory meals like fried bananas. Basically, anything you could imagine cooking in a small cart!
This particular Nasi Jinggo stall caught my eye. It was a meter wide, no bigger, yet overflowing with colorful rice, noodle and condiments. Their specialty is called Nasi Jinggo. I approached the woman running the stall and spent about 10 minutes explaining my intentions for filming. Thankfully, she agreed!
That’s when her husband joined us. Here’s the interesting twist: this couple had a role reversal in their retirement. The wife, who used to be a stay-at-home mom, now runs the stall every evening from 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Her husband, now retired, supports her by helping out.
I was surprised to see how busy they were. In the hour I spent filming, at least 12 people stopped by for a bite. The wife told me they typically serve between 60 to 100 customers a night!
Numbers Don’t Lie
Doing the math, that’s 60-100 servings at 6,000 rupiah each, which translates to roughly $60 Canadian dollars per night. Considering they don’t work every day, this translates to an estimated monthly income of $1,500 on top of their pension!
This income is tax-free cash, and while they do have to factor in ingredient costs, it’s a significant addition to their retirement income. Especially since their house is paid for, their main expenses are daily living costs.
The Beauty of Street Food
The most fascinating part? You can get a delicious meal at this stall for only 50-60 cents! Where in North America can you find a full meal for that price? This experience highlights the unique charm of Balinese street food culture. It’s affordable, delicious, and offers a glimpse into the lives of local entrepreneurs. But this experience can be had throughout Indonesia and in some places it is even less expensive!
