Jakarta's Warteg Stalls in Crisis as Traders Despair

Warteg vendors in Jakarta are now facing a dilemma as customer numbers dwindle while food prices rise. Traders in Senen, Central Jakarta, say the situation is worse than last year.

Amirah, for example, said she is saddened as warteg no longer enjoys its former prominence, once a popular choice for affordable meals. “It’s completely different now. Previously, selling beef, chicken, squid and shrimp was popular, but now not anymore because people are cutting back on pricier side dishes. It feels like crying, but the income is low while the capital required is high,” she told CNBC Indonesia on Saturday (30/5/2026).

Previously, she earned up to Rp3 million to Rp5 million daily. Now, she struggles to make even Rp1 million. “Before, I could earn up to Rp5 million, but now it’s a struggle to make even Rp500,000,” she explained.

With rising food prices, she says she’s even more distressed as the required capital increases. “For example, cooking oil — I use Sunco brand, one litre costs Rp42,000. Chilli peppers are now Rp70,000. The capital required is high, but earnings are dwindling. It’s heartbreaking,” she added.

Surono, another warteg vendor, said turnover has dropped by 35%. He now rarely sells beef due to reduced demand. “It’s not normal anymore — it’s down by about 35%. It’s heartbreaking to think about how far it’s fallen compared to before,” he said.

He hopes the government will intervene, particularly to stabilise food prices such as cooking oil and chillies. “What can we do? Food prices remain high. Even regular cooking oil brands are around Rp20,000. Plastic bags, which used to cost Rp10,000, now cost Rp16,000,” he added.