Cindy Julia Tobing

Contributor/Jakarta

The Indonesian gastronomy scene is joyous and hopeful at the moment, and adding to the momentum is Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet (WIG), an initiative from the Tourism Ministry to place the country on the global gastronomy map.

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Launched in late September in Jakarta and Bali through a week of events from gourmet tours and artisan markets to restaurant collaborations and talks, WIG connected international media and tastemakers with chefs, artisan producers and culinary practitioners across the country.

The timing feels right. In recent years, Indonesia’s culinary landscape has been reinvigorated by globally trained chefs, a renewed focus on local ingredients and creative documentation of the archipelago’s culinary stories.

Some of these efforts are gaining international attention: Locavore NXT in Ubud has been recognized for its sustainability ethos, while August Jakarta remains the only Indonesian restaurant included among the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

So why does this moment feel like a long time coming, and what needs to happen next?

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