With 17,000 islands and hundreds of dialects, Indonesia is one of the most culturally rich — and culinarily overlooked — countries in the world.
In this episode, I’m joined by William Wongso: chef, baker, food ambassador, and the man who once taught Gordon Ramsay how to make rendang (yes, really). William has spent decades traveling across Indonesia and the globe to share the country’s extraordinary food traditions — from street food in Jakarta to stews simmered for hours in West Sumatra.
We talk about:
The real story behind beef rendang and how it became a national dish
Why Indonesian cuisine is still underrepresented internationally
The importance of culinary storytelling and “gastro diplomacy”
Cultural pride, food preservation, and teaching taste over recipes
Travel tips you won’t find on Google — from spicy blood-mixed salads to street satay secrets
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a meal while traveling — or wondered why Indonesian food isn’t as globally known as Thai or Vietnamese cuisine — this episode will open your eyes and stir your appetite.
🎧 Listen now and don’t forget — you can also watch the full conversation on YouTube!
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