Serumpun Sarawak Showcases Cultural Gastronomy In Osaka

KUCHING, Aug 9 (Bernama)-- Serumpun Sarawak, a cultural gastronomy initiative blending Sarawak’s ancestral heritage with contemporary storytelling, has made its international debut in Osaka, Japan with a four-day showcase at Seaside Studio CASO.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) in a statement today said the event held from Aug 5 to 8 in conjunction with Sarawak Week at the Malaysia Pavilion, marked the first overseas chapter of Serumpun Sarawak, featuring Indigenous storytelling, culinary innovation and cultural exchange.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar were among those who attended the launching event last night.

Abdul Karim said in his speech said that Serumpun Sarawak represents more than a cultural showcase but an affirmation of who they are as Sarawakians.

“By bringing our stories, our flavours, and our indigenous wisdom to Japan, we are building bridges of understanding and appreciation that go beyond tourism. This is how we share Sarawak with the world, through genuine connections that celebrate diversity while deepening respect for our shared humanity,” he said. 

STB said that the highlight of the programme was a seven-course degustation dinner curated by Chef James Won, inspired by the flavours and philosophies of 34 indigenous communities of Sarawak, that included rainforest ingredients and ancestral fermentation techniques, where each course was presented with accompanying soundscapes, visuals and storytelling to immerse guests in Sarawak’s edible heritage.

Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh said the initiative was about reintroducing Sarawak’s culture to the world through meaningful exchange and not just about Sarawakian cuisine.

“It shows how our rainforest, our heritage, and our people can inspire a global journey that transcends borders. This is Sarawak’s soft power at its most authentic,” she said, adding that the dinner presentation also featured Professor Gerard Bodeker, who shared the traditional medicinal benefits of the rainforest ingredients used in the dishes.

A defining moment of the evening was the premiere of Ilun Kuai, the official anthem of Serumpun Sarawak, co-created and performed by singer-songwriter Zee Avi, Adrian Jo Milang of The Tuyang Initiative, Raja Farouk, Yuswa Ansari and the Atlas Collective, with original lyrics by Aren Lirai and Rose Belare.

The debut took place during the “Sunrise of Sarawak” ritual, with the music setting a reflective and inspiring atmosphere that called on guests to reconnect with values of rootedness, resilience and reverence for nature.

The next chapter of Serumpun Sarawak will be held in Mulu, home to Sarawak’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

-- BERNAMA