`Warteg': Forget about hygiene

`Warteg': Forget about hygiene

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Warteg is a phenomenon in Jakarta. The sidewalk foodstalls are
readily found along the streets in Jakarta, providing meals for
thousands of Jakartans everyday.

For some people, eating at a warteg has its own sort of
pleasure. Some of them have very nice food, so the meals taste
quite delicious.

In addition, and this might be the most important
consideration for some people, the price is also very low. For
roughly Rp 2,500 (about 3 U.S. cents) one can have a big lunch.

A piece of tempeh served with two other optional dishes with a
load of warm rice and free tea is generally a standard meal.
During lunchtime, when the stomach 'asks' for some nourishment,
who can refuse such a tempting offer?

But, let's talk about the hygiene.

Wati, a warteg owner, uses discarded vegetables from vendors
who no longer could sell them, although she claimed they were
still edible. Also, the fish she serves were past their sell-by
time a the nearby market.

Even more shocking is that Wati mixes in textile dyes for the
oysters and other items, "To make the meals look more
appetizing," she said.

A small pack of orange dye is priced at Rp 500, according to
Wati, and would make her oysters appear to be fresh.

Also, while cooking chicken, Wati accidentally dropped two
pieces. The pieces landed on the dirty, slimy floor. Without
saying a thing, Wati picked them up and put them back into the
pan.

Well, we might better off just not thinking about such things
and only worry about taste of the food served. Do not get into
the kitchen. Just enjoy.