While nations like Thailand, South Korea, and Japan have successfully leveraged their cuisines for international branding, their gastrodiplomacy models often prioritize economic and reputational gains. This paper argues for an evolution toward a more holistic paradigm: sustainable gastrodiplomacy. Using Indonesia’s quintessential ritual dish, Tumpeng, as a case study, we examine how culinary heritage can be integrated with sustainable development objectives. The analysis identifies a critical “dual track” impediment in Indonesia’s current strategy, where the commercial Indonesia Spice Up the World (ISUTW) program operates separately from the deep, symbolic power of its food rituals. To bridge this gap, this study develops a synthesized theoretical framework: drawing on Constructivism, Nation Branding, Soft Power, and Heritage Politics; and proposes an integrated policy roadmap. This roadmap structures a virtuous cycle where domestic economic and food security development (Pillars 1 & 2) generates the authentic foundation for credible international soft power (Pillar 3). The study concludes that by fusing cultural heritage with sustainable development strategy, Indonesia can forge a gastrodiplomacy that is as committed to internal well-being as it is to external appeal.
Pertiwi et al. (2026) studied this question.