Indonesia Showcases Gastrodiplomacy with ‘Taste of Nusantara’ in Japan

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s gastrodiplomacy has taken another step forward with the presentation of a culinary diplomacy book to Japan. The Embassy of Japan in Jakarta has officially received Taste of Nusantara: 80 Bhayangkara Menu for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program, a publication designed to showcase Indonesia’s food culture while promoting one of its key social initiatives in East Asia.

According to a press release from the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the book was handed over by Deputy Chief Police Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo to Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Myochin Mitsuru, during a Ramadan fast-breaking event hosted by the Sakura Indonesia Association in Jakarta. The book was co-authored by Prasetyo and Dirgayuza Setiawan, Special Assistant to the President for Communication and Policy Analysis.

Dirgayuza explained that the project serves as a bridge for communicating Indonesia’s policies to the international community. “Through a universal cultural approach, the global audience can better understand how Indonesia implements its Free Nutritious Meals Program by drawing on local wisdom and the diversity of national food,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Prasetyo emphasized that the book reflects the synergy between policy, culture, and state institutions in supporting national priorities. He described it as a tangible contribution to presenting Indonesia as humanistic, culturally rich, and progressive in its policymaking. “Its presence in global centers demonstrates that Indonesia’s gastrodiplomacy can align seamlessly with the nation’s broader diplomatic efforts,” he noted.

The book has already been introduced in several international forums. It was presented to Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Desra Percaya, as part of cultural diplomacy in Europe, and showcased at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the integration of strategic policy, culture, and social programs.

It also accompanied President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomatic visits to the United States, Jeddah, and Japan, extending Indonesia’s cultural outreach in both the Middle East and East Asia.

Beyond its symbolic role, Taste of Nusantara -- also known as Rasa Bhayangkara Nusantara -- features 80 nutritious recipes from across Indonesia. More than a cookbook, it conveys the broader message of the National Police’s Free Nutritious Meals Program, underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to inclusive, communicative, and globally competitive approaches in policy and diplomacy. ***