Indonesian Meat Balls Can Indonesia Get Patent on 'Bakso'?

Senin, 8 Maret 2010 | 11:49 WIB

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Department of Culture and Tourism advised the Indonesian Noodles and Meatballs Merchant Association (Apmiso) to trace the history of 'bakso' (meatball, usually served with broth) before claiming it as a unique Indonesian cuisine.

"We've ask for its history (of bakso) to be traced first before claiming it as a traditional Indonesian cuisine," said the director general for tourism destination development of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Firmansyah Rahim, Jakarta, Monday.

The statement was addressed for Apmiso, in regards to its plan to claim bakso as an Indonesian cuisine and to go international with the idea.

Apmiso has been lobbying so that bakso can be served to the US President Barack Obama during his visit to Indonesia in March. With that maneuver, bakso can be branded as an international menu, like the Vietnamese noodles, Pho Ga, that has gone international since it was served to Bill Clinton during his visit to Vietnam.

"Please be careful, because to our knowledge, bakso isn't originally Indonesian," said Firmansyah.

He stated that the Indonesian menu should be made of ingredients easily found in the country. Bakso on the contrary is served with noodles, which are made of grain. Grain so far is wholly imported in Indonesia.

"We're worried that we might be accused of stealing another country's menu."

Despite that, the ministry supports the effort to raise the income and welfare of the five million noodles and bakso merchants all over Indonesia who are members of Apmiso.

A quick search on the internet would reveal that the word bakso is derived from Chinese, 'bak' meaning pork and 'so' for noodles or soup/broth. This dish is known world wide with various names and serving methods. (Hertanto/Antara/C17-09)