A warung (
old spelling: waroeng or warong) is a type of small family-owned business — a small
retail
Retail is the sale of goods and Service (economics), services to consumers, in contrast to wholesaling, which is sale to business or institutional customers. A retailer purchases goods in large quantities from manufacturing, manufacturers, dire ...
,
eatery
A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in appearance ...
or
café
A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-c ...
— in
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Gui ...
(and to a lesser extent,
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo's East Mal ...
and
Suriname
Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan), is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the nor ...
). A ''warung'' is an essential part of daily life in Indonesia. In the passage of time, the term ''warung'' has slightly shifted — especially among foreign visitors, expatriates, and people abroad — to refer more specifically to a modest Indonesian eatery or a place that sells Indonesian retail things (mostly groceries or foodstuff).
But for the majority of Indonesians, the meaning is still a small, neighborhood convenience shop, often a front room in a family's home.
There are establishments on the touristy island of
Bali
Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and ...
and elsewhere that attach the term ''warung'' in their business to indicate their Indonesian nature.
Traditionally, ''warung'' is indeed a family-owned business, run by the family members, mostly by women.
Traditional warungs are made from wooden, bamboo or thatched materials. More permanent warungs are made from bricks and concrete, some family-owned businesses are attached to their homes. Some smaller portable warungs are made from tin, zinc or some modern version might use
fiberglass
Fiberglass ( American English) or fibreglass (Commonwealth English) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass cl ...
mold. ''Warung tenda'' is a portable
tent
A tent () is a shelter consisting of sheets of fabric or other material draped over, attached to a frame of poles or a supporting rope. While smaller tents may be free-standing or attached to the ground, large tents are usually anchored using ...
warung, covered with
canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbag ...
,
fabric
Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not ...
,
tarp or plastic sheet tent for roofing.
Terminology
The term ''warung'' simply denotes a wide category of small businesses, either a small retail shop or eatery. It is widely used in
Java
Java (; id, Jawa, ; jv, ꦗꦮ; su, ) is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north. With a population of 151.6 million people, Java is the world's mo ...
and most of Indonesia. In certain parts of
Sumatra
Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 (182,812 mi.2), not including adjacent i ...
and
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula ( Malay: ''Semenanjung Tanah Melayu'') is a peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass runs approximately north–south, and at its terminus, it is the southernmost point of the Asian continental mainland. The ar ...
, the word ''kedai'' is sometimes used as well. In
Javanese culture
Javanese culture is the culture of the Javanese people.
Javanese culture is centered in the provinces of Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java in Indonesia. Due to various migrations, it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as ...
areas, such as in
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta (; jv, ꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ ; pey, Jogjakarta) is the capital city of Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, in the south-central part of the island of Java. As the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy, ...
,
Semarang
Semarang ( jv, ꦏꦸꦛꦯꦼꦩꦫꦁ , Pegon: سماراڠ) is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Dutch colonial era, and is still an important regional center and port today ...
and
Surakarta
Surakarta ( jv, ꦯꦸꦫꦏꦂꦠ), known colloquially as Solo ( jv, ꦱꦭ; ), is a city in Central Java, Indonesia. The 44 km2 (16.2 sq mi) city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Su ...
, its counterpart term ''wedhangan'' or ''angkringan'' is more commonly found.
On the other hand, the term ''
toko
Toko is a small rural settlement 10 kilometres east of Stratford, New Zealand, at the intersection of East Road ( State Highway 43) and Toko Road. It is located on a railway, the Stratford–Okahukura Line, the western portion of which was ope ...
'' is used for a larger and more established shop.
The term can be used to loosely refer to many other types of shops, including the ''wartel'' (short for ''warung telepon'', essentially a manned
phone booth
A telephone booth, telephone kiosk, telephone call box, telephone box or public call box is a tiny structure furnished with a payphone and designed for a telephone user's convenience; usually the user steps into the booth and closes the booth ...
) and ''warnet'' (short for ''warung internet''
Internet café).
Varieties
There are many kinds of warung, some take the form of a small shop that sells cold bottled drinks,
candy
Candy, also called sweets (British English) or lollies (Australian English, New Zealand English), is a confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, called ''sugar confectionery'', encompasses any sweet confection, i ...
,
cigarettes
A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing a combustible material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end, causing it to smolder; the resulting smoke is orally inhaled via the opp ...
, snacks, ''
krupuk'' and other daily necessities, while the larger ones are small restaurant establishments. A warung that sells food typically sells local food; ''
pisang goreng
A banana fritter is a fritter made by deep frying battered banana or plantain in hot oil. It is a common dish across Southeast Asia and South India,Kerala.
Varieties Brunei
Banana fritters are a traditional snack in Brunei, where they are cal ...
'' and many kinds of ''
gorengan'', ''
nasi goreng'' (fried rice), and ''
mie goreng'' (fried noodles).
On the resort island of
Bali
Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and ...
and
Lombok, ''warung'' might refer to a touristy
cabana cafe that sells locals' favourites as well as Asian or western food. Other than Indonesian dishes, on their menu there might be a selection of soups, steaks, fries, sandwiches or grilled fish.
Some types of warung are:
* Warung rokok or common warung is a very small street side shop, constructed from wood, bamboo or tin. Most of them measure not more than 2 x 1 meters (6.56 x 328 feet). They sell ''rokok'' (cigarettes), cold bottled drinks, snacks and candies,
krupuk, soap, tooth paste and other daily necessities, essentially a miniaturized
convenience store
A convenience store, convenience shop, corner store or corner shop is a small retail business that stocks a range of everyday items such as coffee, groceries, snack foods, confectionery, soft drinks, ice creams, tobacco products, lottery ti ...
. This is the most commonly distributed warung, sprung in residential areas, slums, street sides, and tucked between high rise business areas.
* Warkop or warung kopi is a small humble cafe or
coffeeshop that sells
coffee
Coffee is a drink prepared from roasted coffee beans. Darkly colored, bitter, and slightly acidic, coffee has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content. It is the most popular hot drink in the world.
Seeds of ...
and snacks, such as roasted peanuts,
rempeyek, krupuk,
pisang goreng
A banana fritter is a fritter made by deep frying battered banana or plantain in hot oil. It is a common dish across Southeast Asia and South India,Kerala.
Varieties Brunei
Banana fritters are a traditional snack in Brunei, where they are cal ...
and bread. At a time in Indonesia, the Malaysian and Singaporean counterpart
kopi tiam, gained popularity instead of humble local warung kopi. Traditionally, ''warung kopi'' served a social function as a gathering place for men of the village to socialize and trade news. As time passes, specialty cafes were flourished spurred by the surge of the locals interest in quality coffee. As a result, various cafes were growing, from humble ''warung kopi'' to fancy coffeeshop selling artisan and premium specialty coffee.
* Warung nasi is a humble small restaurant that sells ''nasi'' (
rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticat ...
) with other
Indonesian dishes. Instead of separate tables and chairs, a long communal bar and
bench are usually provided for customers to dine at.
* Warteg or warung tegal is a more specific warung nasi, established by
Javanese people
The Javanese ( id, Orang Jawa; jv, ꦮꦺꦴꦁꦗꦮ, ''Wong Jawa'' ; , ''Tiyang Jawi'' ) are an ethnic group native to the central and eastern part of the Indonesian island of Java. With approximately 100 million people, Javanese people a ...
from the town
Tegal in
Central Java
Central Java ( id, Jawa Tengah) is a province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogyakart ...
. They sell favourite
Javanese dishes and rice, the wide array of pre-cooked dishes are arranged in glass windowed cupboard. They are well known on selling modestly-priced meals, popular among working class such as low-skilled labours in the cities.
* Warung padang is a small scaled
Padang restaurant. Usually provides bar and bench instead of tables and chairs for seating, and sometimes, a choice of fewer dishes. Larger scale are more established Padang eateries are referred to as ''rumah makan padang'' or Padang restaurant instead.
* Warung jamu specifically selling ''
jamu'' traditional herbal medicine.
* Warnet or warung internet is an
internet cafe.
* Wartel or warung telepon is a manned
phone booth
A telephone booth, telephone kiosk, telephone call box, telephone box or public call box is a tiny structure furnished with a payphone and designed for a telephone user's convenience; usually the user steps into the booth and closes the booth ...
.
Most of the time, warung are named after the main dishes they sell. For example, warung bubur kacang ijo or warung burjo sells
bubur kacang hijau, warung roti bakar sells grilled bread, warung pecel lele sells ''
pecel lele
Pecel lele or pecak lele is an Indonesian deep-fried ''Clarias'' catfish dish originating from Lamongan, East Java, Indonesia.
Dish
It consists of catfish served with traditional ''sambal'' chili paste, often served with fried tempeh and/or tof ...
'' or fried catfish with
sambal, while warung indomie sells cooked
instant noodle
Instant noodles, or instant ramen, is a type of food consisting of noodles sold in a precooked and dried block with flavoring powder and/or seasoning oil. The dried noodle block was originally created by flash frying cooked noodles, and this is ...
s, although the brand might not always be
Indomie.
Gallery
File:Warung rokok.jpg, ''Warung rokok'', cigarette-selling warung.
File:Warkop.jpg, ''Warung kopi'', humble coffee shop selling coffee, tea, and snacks.
File:Warung of Bali 200507.jpg, ''Warung nasi'', selling food in Bali
Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and ...
.
File:Warung Tegal di Kota Tegal.JPG, ''Warung Tegal'', selling Javanese food from Tegal.
File:Nasi Kapau.JPG, ''Warung Padang'' selling Padang food.
File:Warung Bakmi Jawa Harjo Geno Yogyakarta.JPG, A ''warung'' selling Javanese noodle.
File:Ampera Bridge at Late Afternoon, Palembang.jpg, Floating ''warung'' on boat on the bank of the Musi River Musi may refer to:
* Musi River (Indonesia)
* Musi River (India), Telangana
* Moosy River, Andhra Pradesh, India
* Musi language, a Malay language spoken in Indonesia
* Angelo Musi (1918–2009), American basketball player
* Agostino de' Musi, rea ...
, Palembang
Palembang () is the capital city of the Indonesian province of South Sumatra. The city proper covers on both banks of the Musi River on the eastern lowland of southern Sumatra. It had a population of 1,668,848 at the 2020 Census. Palembang ...
.
See also
*
Toko
Toko is a small rural settlement 10 kilometres east of Stratford, New Zealand, at the intersection of East Road ( State Highway 43) and Toko Road. It is located on a railway, the Stratford–Okahukura Line, the western portion of which was ope ...
*
Kopi tiam
*
Sari-sari store
A sari-sari store, anglicized as neighborhood sundry store, is a convenience store found in the Philippines. The word ''sari-sari'' is Tagalog meaning "variety" or "sundry". Such stores occupy an important economic and social location in a Fi ...
*
Mamak stall
References
External links
{{Commons category, Warung
"What is a Warung?"
Retailing in Malaysia
Retailing in Indonesia
Malaysian culture
Indonesian culture
Street food in Indonesia