Serumpun Sarawak makes international debut in Japan

KUCHING: Serumpun Sarawak has made its international debut at Seaside Studio CASO, Osaka, Japan, from Aug 5 to 8, in conjunction with Sarawak Week at the Malaysia Pavilion.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), it marks the first overseas chapter of the Serumpun Sarawak movement, a cultural gastronomy initiative that blends ancestral wisdom with modern storytelling and sensory innovation.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Serumpun Sarawak represented more than a cultural showcase, describing it as an affirmation of Sarawakian identity.

“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 in a statement issued by STB today (Aug 9).

STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Datuk Salleh Askor added that Serumpun Sarawak in Osaka is not just about Sarawakian cuisine, it is about reintroducing its culture to the world through meaningful exchange.

“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,” he added.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the programme was a 7-course degustation dinner curated by Chef James Won, each course inspired by the flavours, philosophies, and food knowledge of Sarawak’s 34 diverse Indigenous communities.

The experience was further deepened by Prof Gerard Bodeker, who narrated the courses

through the lens of traditional medicine, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of rainforest

ingredients.

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

The next chapter of Serumpun Sarawak will unfold in Mulu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which this finale brings the journey full circle, returning to the forests, rivers, and communities that first inspired it.

To learn more about Serumpun Sarawak and upcoming chapters, visit serumpunsarawak.com and follow @serumpunsarawak and @sarawaktravel on Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes stories.