When going through Jalan Cinere Raya, you might not spot this modest eatery right away. Its rather small entrance does not help, yet the signboard that has Waroeng Indo on it ensured me that I was at the right place.

Located right between Holland Bakery and Pastel Ma’Cik, long-term residents of Cinere should be familiar with Waroeng Indo. Some of them may even be a loyal customer. According to one of the waiting staff, Waroeng Indo has been around since 1996 – for about 20 years. It features a very simple interior decor, with a few paintings adorning its walls, while it uses long benches and tables instead of your common dining room tables and chairs. Melodies from the 1980s will greet you once you step inside the establishment, silencing the noisy after-office Cinere crowd and traffic outside.

I was quite surprised by their opening hours the first time I visited the place. It would start its daily routine at 10am up until 3pm. A three-hour break followed, and it then opened again from 6pm to 8pm. Fortunately, after realising that there are actually quite a lot of customers who would like to stop by during its afternoon recess, the management adjusted its working hours. It offers an extremely varied menu, which includes the likes of Tahu Petis (fried tofu with paste), Tahu Telur (tofu omelette), Gurame Asam Manis (sweet-and- sour gourami), Ayam Goreng Indonesia (Indonesian fried chicken), Bakmi Ayam (chicken noodles), Kwetiau (flat rice noodles), Sapo Tahu (clay pot tofu), Nasi Goreng Babat (beef tripe fried rice), and many more. It also has an assortment of refreshments such as juices, teas and coffee.

After being recommended its signature food by the waiter who served me, I ended up ordering two dishes. It seems that its Lontong Cap Gomeh (rice cake with various richly flavoured side dishes) has become quite a favourite of its customers. Compared to its Lontong Sayur (rice cake in coconut milk soup with chayote, tofu, tempeh and hard-boiled egg) with its yellowish broth and chayote with added hard-boiled egg or chicken curry, Waroeng Indo’s Lontong Cap Gomeh is richer in content, which includes long beans, liver-gizzards, Ayam Opor (chicken stew with coconut gravy), and eggs. Its broth is flavorous to the last spoonful and it will not leave you with a fully tummy. Although there are only three pieces of rice cakes given, they are quite sizeable and velvety in texture. You could also ask for some sambal to give it a bit of spicy kick and some crackers to accompany it.

My second order of the day was its Ayam Goreng Indonesia. It is quite large in portion, which makes it a treat to be eaten with some steamed rice. It is served with crunchy flakes on the side that are dark brown in colour. The chicken meat is tender and delicious, which signals that the seasonings used actually get absorbed right into its insides. However, it would not be ideal to have fried chicken without some sambal, and the sambal that is provided in a separate saucer is not too spicy yet has sufficient bite to pleasure your palate.

you can also read this article on The Jakarta Post: Deliciously authentic Indonesian cuisine at Waroeng Indo

Jl. Cinere Raya, Ruko Blok A #1B, Cinere, Kota Depok, West Java
T: 021 754 5817
Open daily from 10am-8pm
Rp.70,000/US$5.20 per person