Reimagining Indonesian Culinary Identity From Rijsttafel to Global Hospitality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23969/sampurasun.v12i1.37195Keywords:
culinary identity, Rijsttafel, semioticsAbstract
This study investigates how Indonesian culinary identity is constructed and reimagined in global hospitality settings by analyzing the menu language of the Feast Restaurant at Sheraton Bandung. Drawing on linguistic, semiotic, and cultural perspectives, the research examines how menu naming, descriptive registers, and visual organization shape the representation of Indonesian dishes within an international hotel environment. This study employs a qualitative interpretive approach by analyzing 32 menu items (18 Indonesian and 14 Western dishes) collected from printed and digital menus between January and March 2025. Using discourse analysis, multimodal semiotics, and thematic interpretation, the findings suggest that the retention of original Indonesian dish names, supported by concise English explanations, functions as a strategy of cultural affirmation while ensuring accessibility for global guests. Sensory and process-oriented vocabulary further highlights traditional cooking practices and regional diversity. Semiotic features, such as the dedicated “Go Local” section, equal pricing, and visual prominence, indicate the repositioning of Indonesian cuisine within a global dining context. The study suggests that menu language plays a significant role in shifting Indonesian cuisine from its colonial framing in the Rijsttafel toward a contemporary identity grounded in cultural pride and global relevance.
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