Wartegs See Declining Demand for Chicken and Meat Dishes Amid Soaring Food Prices

Warteg vendors are increasingly concerned about declining consumer purchasing power. This is evident as people reduce their choice of side dishes due to rising food prices.

Amirah, a warteg vendor in Senen, Central Jakarta, confirmed the trend. More customers are now purchasing side dishes under Rp15,000 to Rp20,000, such as tofu, tempeh, balado eggs, and various fried snacks. Shoppers are also increasingly opting for vegetables.

Meanwhile, dishes like fried chicken, beef rendang, beef stew, black squid, and shrimp (fried and balado) are being purchased less frequently.

“Yes, that’s correct. Customers are now buying fewer fried chicken or beef dishes, opting instead for balado eggs, tofu, tempeh, vegetables, and fried snacks,” Amirah told CNBC Indonesia last Saturday (30 May 2026).

Customers are now buying warteg meals for around Rp10,000, with few purchasing over Rp20,000. As a result, she has stopped selling side dishes priced above Rp20,000.

“Many buy side dishes to keep meal costs around Rp10,000; some go for Rp15,000, but those above Rp20,000 are now rare,” she added.

Similarly, another warteg vendor, Kusuma, noted changing customer preferences, with rendang and shrimp dishes seeing declining demand.

“Yes, most now order side dishes like tofu with vegetables, fried tofu and tempeh, potato croquettes, and fried potatoes—all around Rp10,000,” Kusuma said.

In fact, he no longer sells shrimp dishes due to dwindling demand, though fried chicken remains available.

“Shrimp is relatively expensive. Even with rice, it doesn’t reach Rp20,000, but without vegetables and sambal, it’s less appetising. With those additions, it’s nearly Rp20,000, so people are cutting back on shrimp,” he explained.

Meanwhile, another vendor, Surono, said many customers now buy warteg meals costing between Rp10,000 and Rp15,000.

“Due to rising prices, people are becoming more selective with side dishes. Usually, we prepare kikil, which sells out quickly, but now it often remains unsold until evening. Rendang beef is even worse,” Surono said.

Surono added that potato croquettes, fried potatoes, tofu, tempeh, and vegetables are now more popular, while fried fish, beef, and shrimp are being ordered less.

“People want practical meals but still want rice, as we don’t reduce portions. So they’re selective about side dishes, not rice—just enough to feel full,” he said.