Jakarta, Dec. 21 -- Culture Minister Fadli Zon has encouraged food experts, chefs, and culinary entrepreneurs to support Indonesia's gastrodiplomacy by promoting tempeh-based dishes, highlighting the country's traditional fermented soybean food.

"Tempeh is a source of protein, and we expect chefs and experts-especially those with experience in local wisdom-to innovate in developing new forms or flavors of tempeh so it can serve as a tool of our gastrodiplomacy," Zon said at a cultural festival dedicated to tempeh here on Sunday.

According to Zon, tempeh, which originated in Indonesia, is a national heritage that must be preserved and further developed.

"Cultural expression is deeply embedded in local foods," he stressed.

The minister ...