Part 4/7:
A key to Deva’s success is his ability to keep prices affordable. He personally visits the night markets, which are about a 4 km motorcycle ride from his home, to purchase ingredients at up to 50% cheaper than regular markets. For instance, seafood like shrimp that might cost 100,000 IDR a kilogram in daytime can be bought for around 75,000 IDR at night.
Deva explains that ingredient prices tend to rise sharply during Ramadan, especially for items like chili, which can jump from 50,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR per kilogram. To counteract this, he carefully manages his menu, adjusting it based on ingredient costs and consulting with customers about substitutions when necessary.