Menbud Fadli Zon: Tumpeng Becomes A Symbol Of National Identity And Culinary Diplomacy

Minister Of Culture Fadli Zon At The 2025 Indonesian Tumpeng Festival At The Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta Saturday, 23 August 2025

JAKARTA Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that the cone is not just food, but a symbol of the nation's identity as well as Indonesian culinary diplomacy instruments in the global arena. The statement was made at the 2025 Indonesian Tumpeng Festival at the Borobudur Hotel Jakarta, the results of the collaboration between APJI, Indonesian Gastronomy Community (IGC), and Hotel Borobudur, Saturday, August 23.

"Tumpeng reflects human relations with the Creator as well as the value of mutual cooperation. This philosophy is very universal and relevant in an increasingly individualistic world. Therefore, the cone can become a global tradition," said Menbud Fadli Zon.

The Minister of Culture emphasized that the Nusantara culinary is an intangible cultural heritage that functions not only for consumption, but also for bridges between nations and creative economy drivers. Until 2024, there were 2,213 Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage, including 231 traditional culinary delights. However, some are starting to face extinction, such as Itak Poul-Poul from North Sumatra and Smugglers from Bangka Belitung.

Many international people know Indonesia from its food. Rendang has been named the world's best food. There are satay, fried rice, and soto. But our culinary promotion is still not proportional," he said.

Menbud Fadli highlighted the importance of accelerating Indonesia's culinary promotion abroad. He compared Thailand and Vietnam, whose restaurants are spread almost all over the world. In Turkey, for example, the number of Indonesian restaurants has increased from three to about thirty in the last five years.

"We must not lose. Indonesian culinary must be introduced to the world. In the future, the Ministry of Culture can synergize with the IGC, APJI, and the Indonesian Embassy in registering Indonesian restaurants abroad. That could be the hub for our cultural diplomacy," he said.

The 2025 Indonesian Tumpeng Festival carries the theme "Reviving Tradition, Uniting Generation." More than just a celebration, this festival is expected to strengthen the pride of the younger generation, open up economic opportunities for the manga industry, as well as make the cone a culinary identity of the nation that is able to penetrate the world stage.