The Best Warteg in Jakarta: A Guide for Food Lovers and Travelers

Whether you are a local or a visitor, exploring the flavorful world of warteg in Jakarta is a must. Warteg, a casual and affordable dining experience, offers a taste of traditional Indonesian cuisine, perfect for those who appreciate authentic flavors and budget-friendly options. In this article, we will explore some of the most recommended warteg in Jakarta, along with tips on how to identify good food by examining the key elements—rice, sambal, and gorengan.

Popular Warteg in Jakarta

Warteg Tegal 99

Warteg Tegal 99 is one of the most recommended warteg in Jakarta. Known for its affordable prices and a wide variety of traditional Indonesian dishes, this warteg offers options such as tempeh tofu and various vegetable dishes. Patrons often rave about the quality and the variety of dishes available here.

Warteg Rindu

Warteg Rindu, located in the Cilandak area, is another popular choice. This warteg is praised for its cleanliness and the high quality of its food. Many locals and visitors are drawn to the clean environment and the delicious meals served here.

Warteg Kharisma

Warteg Kharisma is highly recommended for its authentic flavors and friendly service. This warteg caters to both locals and visitors, offering a casual dining experience that is a true reflection of traditional Indonesian cuisine. Many patrons enjoy the authentic taste and the warm hospitality of the staff.

Personal FAVORITE Warteg in Jakatara

Rumah Kos Warteg

As someone who has lived in a rumah kos in Jakarta, the warteg in my former lodging house stands out as the best for daily meals. Every morning and evening, I looked forward to dining there because the food was reminiscent of my mother's cooking and was tastier than other warteg meals. The place may not be cozy, but it was a reliable and enjoyable dining spot for me.

Top Warteg in Jakarta

Warteg Warmo

Warteg Warmo is a great choice for those looking for fresh and affordable meals. Located at Jl Tebet Timur Raya No.1D, Tebet Timur Tebet, this warteg offers a wide range of options and a consistently good taste. Some must-try dishes include Sate Udang Goreng, Kering Kentang, Pindang, and Bumbu Kuning.

Lesehan Bu Gendut

Lesehan Bu Gendut is a top pick for its consistent taste and perceived superiority. This warteg is located at Blok M Square, offering a variety of options from Sambal Udang to Pete Oncom, Leunca, Cumi Cabe Ijo, and Buntil. It's a hearty meal that is hard to resist.

Kantin Restu

Kantin Restu is a warteg with a fancy name but the same reasonable price and menu options. Located at Mediterania Garden Residences, this warteg is a great choice for those who appreciate a wide range of dishes. Must-try dishes include Ayam Cabe, Ayam Tepung, Manis, and Pedas.

Warteg Fundamentals

To tell if a warteg makes good food, there are a few key elements to consider:

Rice

A good warteg should serve hot and fresh rice. They use large rice cookers to prepare large batches, although it doesn’t have to be fluffy and perfect. Rice is an essential part of any warteg meal.

Sambal

A proper warteg will have sambal served with every meal. The texture is varied, from a coarse relish to a smooth puree. A good sambal should not be watery or runny, and the color should not be alarmingly orange or red.

Gorengan

Gorengan refers to fried snacks and is known as the poor man's meat. Good warteg