Warung, Anyone?

a better look inside the warung on our street

A warung is a small family-owned business that is an essential part of daily life in Indonesia. Think “Indonesian convenience store.”

warung with makeshift awning

There are many kinds of warungs. Some are small and sell items such as bottled drinks, candy, cigarettes,  snacks and household items. The larger ones are more like a small restaurant and sell such things as nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles). Supposedly some of the larger warungs menus include soups, sandwiches, pancakes or grilled fish.
                                        

genuine Louis, anyone?

Some warungs are crude makeshift structures of bamboo or a combination of what appears to be scrap materials, while others may be a more permanent construction built onto the family quarters. The one on our street is typical with its crude wooden bench in front of the counter for customers to sit on. There is also a small open area between it and the family living quarters that houses a table for customers who prefer to “dine in”. Roosters are allowed to roam freely in and out, adding to the ambience.

a little lull in business

In addition to the customary wooden bench, goods are often displayed behind glass, on top of counters, shelves and walls. These businesses host a steady stream of customers. Often we see scooters stopped in front of the one on our street, riders leaving only minutes later with dinner secured between their feet on the scooter.

3 generation shop keepers

Tourists would probably pay a heavy price for eating at these small take out venues. Sanitation is difficult and pots, pans and utensils are washed in water of questionable source. The cleanliness of the food itself is questionable, so we will heed the advice of those who have warned us not to try it.

dry goods or fruit?

Owning a warung does not really generate a great income as most goods are sold for just a few hundred rupiah above the recommended retail price. But the work is flexible and if attached to their home, women can care for their children and go about their other daily household chores between sales.

soup on the sidewalk gives new meaning to "dining out"