“Healthy living is expensive” is a common belief—and it may feel true when we are already sick and need costly treatment to recover. But have you ever considered that maintaining a healthy diet does not always have to be expensive?

As healthy living continues to gain popularity, the term real food appears more frequently across social media. Many posts showcase aesthetically plated meals, imported organic products, and specialty foods that are not always affordable for everyone. As a result, some people have begun to assume that healthy eating is only accessible to certain groups.

In reality, the concept of real food is quite simple: food that is minimally processed, close to its natural form, and rich in nutrients. Interestingly, Indonesians have been familiar with this way of eating for generations. In fact, we may encounter it every day without realizing it—in a warteg.

Looking at Warteg: Real Food Rooted in Local Wisdom

Long before terms such as real food, plant-based, and sustainable diets became popular, Indonesians had already been consuming a wide variety of plant-based foods as part of their daily meals. One of the clearest examples can be found in the warteg (warung tegal), a humble eatery known for serving affordable home-style dishes.

At a typical warteg, visitors can find an assortment of vegetable dishes such as stir-fried greens, sayur lodeh (vegetables in coconut milk), urap (seasoned vegetable salad), stir-fried long beans, tempe orek (sweet-spiced tempeh), tahu bacem(braised tofu), corn fritters, and various side dishes made from legumes and locally grown crops. Meals are freshly prepared every day, while fruits such as bananas often hang nearby, ready to complement daily nutritional needs.

These menu options reflect the richness of Indonesian culinary traditions, which have long embraced diverse diets centered around plant-based foods.

What makes this even more interesting is that most of the ingredients used are crops grown in Indonesia and have been part of local food culture for centuries. Tempeh, for example, is not only an affordable source of protein but also one of Indonesia’s most celebrated food heritages. Today, it receives global recognition for its nutritional value and relatively lower environmental footprint compared with many animal-based protein sources.

Without carrying the label of “real food,” the practice of eating minimally processed, locally sourced foods has already been part of everyday life for many Indonesians, especially in urban areas.

The Origins of Warteg

There are several versions of the history of warteg, but one of the most widely accepted accounts comes from the Cooperative of Warung Tegal (KOWARTEG). According to this account, wartegs first emerged in the corners of Tegal City as simple semi-permanent food stalls, similar to angkringan in Yogyakarta or wedangan in Solo.

Over time, these stalls evolved into permanent establishments and introduced glass display cases that allowed food to be protected while making menu selection easier for customers.

The oldest known warteg in Jakarta is Warteg Pak Warno, located near Kemayoran Airfield, which has been operating since 1948.

One of the unique features of warteg culture is its iconic glass display case. Choosing food at a warteg is somewhat like using a touchscreen smartphone—except instead of tapping a digital screen, customers simply point through the glass at the dishes they want. Rows of ready-to-eat meals are neatly displayed, making it easy to see and select food according to personal preference.

This simple system creates a dining experience that is quick, practical, and transparent.

Good for the Body, Good for the Environment

Meatless Monday Indonesia encourages people to make small, realistic lifestyle changes, including increasing the consumption of local plant-based foods.

This does not mean everyone must immediately stop eating animal products. However, adding more vegetables, tempeh, tofu, legumes, and other plant-based foods to daily meals can be a simple step with meaningful benefits.

Diets rich in plant-based foods have been associated with various health benefits, from helping meet daily fiber requirements to supporting a more balanced overall diet. At the same time, choosing more plant-based foods can help reduce environmental pressure because they generally require fewer natural resources than animal-based food production.

This is where wartegs become particularly relevant. Many of the dishes available make it possible to create a more environmentally friendly meal without spending a significant amount of money.

For example, a plate of rice served with vegetables, tempeh, tofu, and sambal can be a delicious, filling, and affordable meal that relies on locally available ingredients.

From a cost perspective, meals at a warteg typically range from around IDR 10,000 to IDR 35,000 per serving. At Warteg Bu Siti in Gondangdia, Central Jakarta, for instance, IDR 10,000 can buy a plate of rice complete with vegetables, tempe orek, and sambal.

Valuing Local Food and Supporting Small Economies

Because warteg meals are prepared fresh every day, ingredients are often sourced from nearby traditional markets. Most of the foods used are locally produced and do not require long distribution chains.

Tempeh, tofu, various vegetables, and other simple ingredients are abundant and readily available from local suppliers.

Indirectly, this makes wartegs an important part of local food supply systems. Beyond providing fresh and affordable meals, wartegs help sustain small-scale economies by supporting farmers, market vendors, and home-based culinary businesses that form part of Indonesia’s everyday food ecosystem.

To this day, wartegs remain popular among people from all walks of life, regardless of social or economic background. More than just places to eat, they also serve as spaces for gathering, socializing, and building community.

Beyond offering access to real food, wartegs demonstrate that healthy eating does not have to be complicated and should be accessible to everyone. They symbolize the idea that simple, fresh, and nutritious food does not need to be expensive or exclusive.

At a time when societies face challenges related to climate change, public health, and the need to strengthen local food systems, wartegs remind us that choices that are better for both people and the planet can begin with simple actions: eating more vegetables, choosing tempeh and tofu, exploring more plant-based dishes, and appreciating Indonesia’s rich local food heritage.

Ultimately, a healthy diet is not about finding the most expensive or trendiest foods. It is about building habits that are nutritious, affordable, and sustainable—for ourselves, our communities, and the planet we share.