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- Asep Haryono | Shopping for Kitchen Needs at the Traditional Market in Pontianak - Powered by Blogger
Hello everyone. Happy Monday
DISCLAIMER : By the way, I’d like to let you know that I’m not able to publish a new blog post every day for several reasons. For now, I make sure to publish two new blog posts per week and maybe more someday.
iI have written some reviews on our national cuisine such as tofu, fried rice or Nasi Goreng, and today’s blog post I have planned to write a little different. One day at a traditional market in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the current address of myself and my whole family.
A few days ago, maybe on November 1st, I started my motorbike and went to a local traditional market that is located not too far from my home. After about a 7-minute drive, I arrived at the market. I parked my motorbike in the parking area along with other customers’ belongings. I am not too worried about the security of my motorbike parked in that area because a uniformed security guard, people here often call “satpam”, looks after all the motorbikes. I just paid about IDR 2,000 or less than 30 cents.
I purchased some items for daily kitchen needs such as cabai (chili), bawang merah (onion), bawang putih (garlic), tahu (tofu), ikan (fish), beans, vegetables, and chicken. I didn’t buy the whole chicken, by the way, just some parts of the chicken meat such as the neck and head.
One hilarious thing happened when the chicken seller asked me a question: “Do you have cats at your home?” The chicken seller thought that those who purchase the neck and head of the chicken meat usually prepare them for cat food. They had no idea that I bought the neck and head of the chicken for myself because the price is affordable. “They are really neck and head, but they’re still chicken meat, right?”
For your information, if you would like to buy a whole chicken, we use kilograms as the unit to determine the price. For example, one kilogram of chicken is about IDR 25,000. If you choose a chicken weighing 2 kilograms, you must pay IDR 50,000, or less than $3.
Wanna see the photos? Sure, I will share at blow. All photos are mine and I took them with my own cellphone.You can see Indonesian's real life through the photos
Fresh and Local, the Real Taste of Life
It has become one of my weekly routines something simple yet meaningful.The market here is always lively and full of color. You can hear people chatting, bargaining, and laughing. The smell of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices fills the air. It’s not fancy, but it’s real. It’s a place where life feels genuine and that’s what makes it so special to me by the way
Some people go to supermarkets with air conditioning and bright lights, but I still love the feeling of walking between small stalls, meeting local sellers, and picking up my daily kitchen needs vegetables, tofu, tempeh, garlic, and whatever looks fresh for the day just like what I have bought at the first paragraphs on this blog post.
Buying food from a traditional market is not just about saving money. It’s about freshness and connection. The vegetables come directly from local farmers, often harvested the night before. The tofu and tempeh are made early in the morning, still warm and soft.
When I cook at home, I can really taste the difference. The flavors are richer, the texture is better, and the ingredients feel alive. That’s something you don’t always find in plastic-wrapped products from big supermarkets.
Traditional markets in my area Kubu Raya or any areas in Pontianak remind us that good food doesn’t have to be imported or processed. It can come from people just around the corner hardworking farmers, smiling vendors, and small families keeping old traditions alive.
Most of the sellers here are women strong, kind, and full of energy. They manage the stalls, handle customers, and know exactly how to attract buyers. I always admire their spirit.
You can read - Rice and Tofu: Global Favorites with an Indonesian Soul
When I visit the same stalls every week, they start to recognize me. Sometimes we chat about the weather, the price of chili, or how business is going. These small talks make the market more than just a place to shop it becomes a small community.
They often call me “Abang” or “Pak” with a friendly smile. I don’t bargain too hard because I know their effort deserves fair pay. That’s one of the things I’ve learned from shopping here: value the people, not just the product. If you still ask for a cheaper price for vegetables or anything at the traditional market here, it’s considered okay, but not really recommended. Just take it for granted. People are generally okay with the prices of daily kitchen needs like tofu, tempeh, and many others.
I am man, and I can Shop Too
One interesting thing I notice every time I go to the market most of the customers are women. Housewives, mothers, and grandmothers carrying baskets or bags full of vegetables.
As a man, I may be one of the few who come regularly, but it feels perfectly normal. In Indonesia, men going to the market is not strange at all. Some do it for their families, some for their businesses, and some like me simply enjoy it.
There’s a small sense of pride in buying your own ingredients and knowing exactly what goes into your food. It’s also a great way to stay connected to local life, to understand how people live and what they eat.
I think this is something that deserves to be shared that traditional markets are for everyone, not just women. It’s a place for all Indonesians who value freshness, community, and authenticity.
In today’s fast-paced world, many people prefer supermarkets or online delivery. They’re quick and convenient. But traditional markets offer something that digital services can’t replace human connection.
Here, you see faces, not logos. You talk, not just click. You learn where your food comes from, how it’s grown, and who sells it. That’s a form of transparency and honesty that’s slowly disappearing.
Traditional markets also support local farmers and small traders. By buying from them, you help keep the local economy alive. Every rupiah spent there goes directly to real people, not big corporations.
And let’s not forget traditional markets are environmentally friendly too. Many people here bring reusable bags, and most products come without unnecessary packaging. It’s an example of sustainable living that’s been part of Indonesian life long before “eco-friendly” became a trend.
Grabbing a Coffee? Why not
Sometimes, after I finish shopping at the traditional market, I stop at a small food stall near the market. I order a cup of coffee or tea and watch people passing by mothers carrying vegetables, children helping their parents, and old men chatting with friends.
In those quiet moments, I realize how peaceful and human life can be. This simple activity buying tofu, tempeh, and vegetables connects me with something bigger. It connects me with my community, my culture, and the rhythm of local life.
You don’t need to travel far or spend much to experience something meaningful. Sometimes, it’s right here in the market in the smell of garlic, the laughter of vendors, and the warmth of a morning sun over Pontianak.
A Timeless Indonesian Tradition
For foreigners visiting Indonesia, I always recommend going to a traditional market not just for the food, but for the experience. You’ll see the real Indonesia there: friendly people, bright colors, and strong community bonds. From big cities to small villages, traditional markets remain the same lively, warm, and full of stories.
It’s not just a place to buy things; it’s a reflection of who we are as Indonesians. A mix of tradition and togetherness that continues to survive in the modern era.
If you ever visit Indonesia, make sure to spend one morning exploring a traditional market. Walk around, talk to the vendors, and try some local snacks or fresh tempeh. You’ll find beauty in the simplest moments and maybe, like me, you’ll realize that these everyday routines are treasures worth keeping.
Traditional markets may change over time, but their heart will always stay the same. And as long as people still care about freshness, culture, and connection the market will always be alive
.
DISCLAIMER : By the way, I’d like to let you know that I’m not able to publish a new blog post every day for several reasons. For now, I make sure to publish two new blog posts per week and maybe more someday.
iI have written some reviews on our national cuisine such as tofu, fried rice or Nasi Goreng, and today’s blog post I have planned to write a little different. One day at a traditional market in Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the current address of myself and my whole family.
A few days ago, maybe on November 1st, I started my motorbike and went to a local traditional market that is located not too far from my home. After about a 7-minute drive, I arrived at the market. I parked my motorbike in the parking area along with other customers’ belongings. I am not too worried about the security of my motorbike parked in that area because a uniformed security guard, people here often call “satpam”, looks after all the motorbikes. I just paid about IDR 2,000 or less than 30 cents.
I purchased some items for daily kitchen needs such as cabai (chili), bawang merah (onion), bawang putih (garlic), tahu (tofu), ikan (fish), beans, vegetables, and chicken. I didn’t buy the whole chicken, by the way, just some parts of the chicken meat such as the neck and head.
One hilarious thing happened when the chicken seller asked me a question: “Do you have cats at your home?” The chicken seller thought that those who purchase the neck and head of the chicken meat usually prepare them for cat food. They had no idea that I bought the neck and head of the chicken for myself because the price is affordable. “They are really neck and head, but they’re still chicken meat, right?”
For your information, if you would like to buy a whole chicken, we use kilograms as the unit to determine the price. For example, one kilogram of chicken is about IDR 25,000. If you choose a chicken weighing 2 kilograms, you must pay IDR 50,000, or less than $3.
Wanna see the photos? Sure, I will share at blow. All photos are mine and I took them with my own cellphone.You can see Indonesian's real life through the photos
 |
A lively morning at a traditional market in Kubu Raya Regency full of colors, conversations, and the aroma of fresh produce. Photo by Asep Haryono. All rights reserved |
 |
| Tempe and tofu. the heart of Indonesian home cooking. These locally made favorites are always fresh and affordable at traditional markets. Photo by Asep Haryono. All rights reserved |
 |
| Fresh greens ready for your next meal from spinach and bok choy to local herbs, all freshly picked from nearby farms. . Photo by Asep Haryono. All rights reserved |
 |
| A local chicken seller prepares fresh meat for customers. Buying chicken parts like necks and heads is common for home cooking and traditional recipes. Photo by Asep Haryono. All rights reserved |
 |
Colorful baskets of spices and vegetables turmeric, onions, and greens showing Indonesia’s rich variety of local
produce. Photo by Asep Haryono. All rights reserved |
It has become one of my weekly routines something simple yet meaningful.The market here is always lively and full of color. You can hear people chatting, bargaining, and laughing. The smell of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices fills the air. It’s not fancy, but it’s real. It’s a place where life feels genuine and that’s what makes it so special to me by the way
Some people go to supermarkets with air conditioning and bright lights, but I still love the feeling of walking between small stalls, meeting local sellers, and picking up my daily kitchen needs vegetables, tofu, tempeh, garlic, and whatever looks fresh for the day just like what I have bought at the first paragraphs on this blog post.
Buying food from a traditional market is not just about saving money. It’s about freshness and connection. The vegetables come directly from local farmers, often harvested the night before. The tofu and tempeh are made early in the morning, still warm and soft.
When I cook at home, I can really taste the difference. The flavors are richer, the texture is better, and the ingredients feel alive. That’s something you don’t always find in plastic-wrapped products from big supermarkets.
Traditional markets in my area Kubu Raya or any areas in Pontianak remind us that good food doesn’t have to be imported or processed. It can come from people just around the corner hardworking farmers, smiling vendors, and small families keeping old traditions alive.
Most of the sellers here are women strong, kind, and full of energy. They manage the stalls, handle customers, and know exactly how to attract buyers. I always admire their spirit.
You can read - Rice and Tofu: Global Favorites with an Indonesian Soul
When I visit the same stalls every week, they start to recognize me. Sometimes we chat about the weather, the price of chili, or how business is going. These small talks make the market more than just a place to shop it becomes a small community.
They often call me “Abang” or “Pak” with a friendly smile. I don’t bargain too hard because I know their effort deserves fair pay. That’s one of the things I’ve learned from shopping here: value the people, not just the product. If you still ask for a cheaper price for vegetables or anything at the traditional market here, it’s considered okay, but not really recommended. Just take it for granted. People are generally okay with the prices of daily kitchen needs like tofu, tempeh, and many others.
I am man, and I can Shop Too
One interesting thing I notice every time I go to the market most of the customers are women. Housewives, mothers, and grandmothers carrying baskets or bags full of vegetables.
As a man, I may be one of the few who come regularly, but it feels perfectly normal. In Indonesia, men going to the market is not strange at all. Some do it for their families, some for their businesses, and some like me simply enjoy it.
 |
| I usually park my motorbike here. There’s no official parking lot around the market, but don’t worry it’s totally safe because a local security guard looks after all the vehicles. |
There’s a small sense of pride in buying your own ingredients and knowing exactly what goes into your food. It’s also a great way to stay connected to local life, to understand how people live and what they eat.
I think this is something that deserves to be shared that traditional markets are for everyone, not just women. It’s a place for all Indonesians who value freshness, community, and authenticity.
In today’s fast-paced world, many people prefer supermarkets or online delivery. They’re quick and convenient. But traditional markets offer something that digital services can’t replace human connection.
Here, you see faces, not logos. You talk, not just click. You learn where your food comes from, how it’s grown, and who sells it. That’s a form of transparency and honesty that’s slowly disappearing.
Traditional markets also support local farmers and small traders. By buying from them, you help keep the local economy alive. Every rupiah spent there goes directly to real people, not big corporations.
And let’s not forget traditional markets are environmentally friendly too. Many people here bring reusable bags, and most products come without unnecessary packaging. It’s an example of sustainable living that’s been part of Indonesian life long before “eco-friendly” became a trend.
Grabbing a Coffee? Why not
Sometimes, after I finish shopping at the traditional market, I stop at a small food stall near the market. I order a cup of coffee or tea and watch people passing by mothers carrying vegetables, children helping their parents, and old men chatting with friends.
In those quiet moments, I realize how peaceful and human life can be. This simple activity buying tofu, tempeh, and vegetables connects me with something bigger. It connects me with my community, my culture, and the rhythm of local life.
You don’t need to travel far or spend much to experience something meaningful. Sometimes, it’s right here in the market in the smell of garlic, the laughter of vendors, and the warmth of a morning sun over Pontianak.
A Timeless Indonesian Tradition
For foreigners visiting Indonesia, I always recommend going to a traditional market not just for the food, but for the experience. You’ll see the real Indonesia there: friendly people, bright colors, and strong community bonds. From big cities to small villages, traditional markets remain the same lively, warm, and full of stories.
It’s not just a place to buy things; it’s a reflection of who we are as Indonesians. A mix of tradition and togetherness that continues to survive in the modern era.
If you ever visit Indonesia, make sure to spend one morning exploring a traditional market. Walk around, talk to the vendors, and try some local snacks or fresh tempeh. You’ll find beauty in the simplest moments and maybe, like me, you’ll realize that these everyday routines are treasures worth keeping.
Traditional markets may change over time, but their heart will always stay the same. And as long as people still care about freshness, culture, and connection the market will always be alive
.
