JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Rendang, a typical Minangkabau culinary dish, is not only the pride of West Sumatra, but also Indonesia.
This dish, which was named the most delicious food in the world by CNN in 2017, is being prepared to be proposed as a cultural heritage site to UNESCO in 2025.
Head of the Region III Cultural Preservation Center, Undri, confirmed that the preparation process was underway.
“We are preparing rendang as a world heritage for UNESCO,” he said in Padang, as quoted by Antara, Thursday (21/11/2024).
Also read: Egg Rendang Recipe, Lunch Menu Ideas with Coconut Milk
What are the Challenges in the Application Process?
The West Sumatra Provincial Government has submitted a number of documents to the Ministry of Culture since 2023.
However, there are still shortcomings, especially in historical rendang texts which contain important information about the origins and cultural value of this food.
“Actually, 2023 has been proposed, but some of the materials, especially the manuscript about the history of rendang, still need to be completed and perfected,” said Undri.
Apart from that, collecting data on the rendang conservation community is also an important step to strengthen this application.
Currently, the West Sumatra Provincial Government is still preparing material about rendang before submitting it back to the Ministry of Culture, and forwarding it to UNESCO.
Also read: Rendang could be a tool for Indonesian diplomacy abroad
What is the History and Philosophy of Rendang?
According to records written in the 19th century, rendang has been known since the 16th century, when the Minangkabau people brought this food on a long journey to Singapore and the Strait of Malacca.
The origin of this rendang recipe is unknown until now. However, some experts argue that rendang has influences from Arab and Indian foods which were previously brought to the Minangkabau region.
This is not impossible, because in the 15th century, the Minangkabau region became the center of the international spice trade.
Initially, rendang was made from buffalo meat which is durable even when cooked for a long time. However, now beef is used more often because its texture is more tender.
The word “randang” itself comes from the term “marandang,” which means to cook coconut milk until it dries, a process that is at the heart of making rendang.
Also read: 2 Kg Padang Rendang Recipe, Meat, Tender and Permeated with Spices
What Makes Rendang Special in the World?
Rendang is not only known as a daily food for the Minangkabau people, but also a symbol of celebrations, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
CNN, which named rendang as the world’s most delicious food in 2017, explained that this dish combines coconut milk with spices such as lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, ginger and chili.’
The long cooking process makes rendang have a unique sweet, spicy and savory taste.
Also read: Red Bean Egg Rendang Recipe, Quick Cooking
Listen breaking news And selected news we’re right on your phone. Choose your favorite news channel to access Kompas.com WhatsApp Channel: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFPbedBPzjZrk13HO3D. Make sure you have installed the WhatsApp application.
