In the busy streets of the city, we often see street vendors working hard to provide for their families.
One of them is Alfajrul (also known as Al), a Sate Padang vendor who has been running this business with his family for years.
Al comes from Padang, West Sumatra, and moved to Jakarta with his family in the 1980s. Since he was young, he has been familiar with cooking, especially Sate Padang, which has been his family’s business for the last seven years. They have two food carts in two different locations—one managed by Al and the other by his father. His mother helps by preparing the ingredients at home.
Al’s daily routine is very busy. He starts selling at around five in the evening and finishes at one or two in the morning. But his work does not stop there. After coming home, he rests for a while before going to the market in the morning to buy fresh ingredients. Back home, he and his family prepare ketupat by weaving the leaves by hand and getting the sate ready for the next day.
This routine continues every day, with little time to rest. He only takes a day off if he feels exhausted. However, for Al, this is all part of keeping the family business running and making sure customers stay happy.
As a street vendor, Al faces many challenges. Bad weather, like heavy rain, often keeps customers away, and business can be slow at the end of the month. The prices of ingredients also change a lot. When meat prices go up, he has to make the sate smaller while keeping the price the same, so customers don’t feel disappointed.
Even with these challenges, there are happy moments, too. When business is good, Al feels proud because his hard work is rewarded. Loyal customers who keep coming back also give him motivation.
Al continues this business not just because he is following his parents but also because he wants to keep the tradition and unique taste of Sate Padang alive. For him, this business is not just a way to earn money—it is a family tradition that he wants to protect.