Kapanlagi.com - An interesting phenomenon is shaking Cambodia! Hundreds of Indonesian food stalls, ranging from appetizing pecel lele to nostalgic angkringan, have suddenly emerged in various corners of the country. This discovery was revealed through Google Maps, immediately attracting attention and sparking curiosity about what is really happening.
Social media has also joined the discussion about the existence of these stalls, highlighting how proud it is to find the distinctive culinary offerings of the archipelago in a neighboring country.
However, behind the tempting culinary presence, speculation arises that this phenomenon is not just a business opportunity, but is related to the community of Indonesian workers residing in Cambodia. There are even allegations that the existence of these stalls is linked to the rampant online gambling activities in the area.
Pecel lele, as a simple yet flavorful dish, has become a symbol of Indonesian cuisine that is recognized worldwide. However, the question now is: Does the presence of hundreds of pecel lele stalls in Cambodia truly reflect the strength of the archipelago's culinary scene, or are there deeper underlying factors? Let’s explore further as gathered by Kapanlagi.com from various sources, Wednesday (20/11).
1. The Existence of Hundreds of Indonesian Stalls in Cambodia
This interesting phenomenon first caught attention on platform X (formerly Twitter), when the account @_n0t4lfiaccount uploaded a screenshot of Google Maps showing rows of Indonesian food stalls lined up in Bavet, Cambodia. D
Among the striking names like Pecel Lele Srikandi, Arena Angkringan, and Gultik Blok M, the post added a caption that piqued curiosity: "There is an offer because there is a demand, you must understand why that demand exists in that location."
This also sparked a heated debate among netizens, who speculated that the existence of these hundreds of stalls is closely related to the large community of Indonesian citizens working in the online gambling industry, which is legal in Cambodia, attracting thousands of migrant workers from Indonesia to venture there.
2. Connection to Online Gambling in Cambodia
In the Bavet area, known as the center of online gambling in Cambodia, hundreds of food stalls bear silent witness to the presence of Indonesian migrant workers who have ventured into this industry.
Many netizens report that Indonesians play a crucial role, both as operational and technical staff, as these online gambling companies target the Indonesian market.
In a viral vlog, a content creator shared the stories of workers facing significant challenges, including threats from certain parties, yet they persevere amidst the high demand for labor.
The existence of Indonesian food stalls in this area further emphasizes the large population of migrant workers, where these places not only serve delicious food but also become centers for gathering and socializing for them.
3. Business Opportunity or Symbol of Identity?
For the stall owners, their presence in Cambodia is not just a business opportunity, but a golden chance to bring Indonesian flavors to the land of migration.
Pecel lele, angkringan, and warkop have become favorites among the Indonesian community, and with a large population of Indonesian citizens in Cambodia, this culinary business is not only profitable but also serves as a cultural bridge.
One netizen stated, "Wherever there are Indonesians, there is sure to be pecel lele or angkringan. That’s proof that we always bring our culture wherever we go."
In the long term, this phenomenon illustrates the great potential of Indonesian cuisine to compete on the international stage, and the fact that Indonesian flavors are accepted in foreign countries is an achievement worth celebrating.
4. Netizen Response
A post about an Indonesian food stall in Cambodia has successfully attracted public attention with various responses emerging. Many netizens feel proud to see the culinary delights of their homeland becoming more global, as if they are ambassadors of Indonesian flavors in a foreign land.
However, there are also many who express concerns about the relationship between this food stall and the booming online gambling industry. "These stalls are like an oasis for migrant workers longing for their hometown," said a social media user.
Meanwhile, others question the legality of activities in the area, even though the Cambodian government claims that their online gambling industry is officially licensed.
(kpl/rmt)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.