Google Doodle Celebrates Tempeh, Illustrated by Indonesian Artist

VIVA – Google Doodle celebrates Tempeh for today, October 29, 2022. This doodle is illustrated by guest artist, Reza Dwi Setyawan who is based in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Tempeh is known as one Indonesian food and is familiar to Indonesian people. 

The Doodle features Tempeh Mendoan, one of the fried Tempeh varieties in Indonesia which is an iconic part of Indonesian cuisine and was declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage on this day in 2021.

“As an Indonesian, almost every day I have tempeh on my dinner plate—especially tempeh mendoan as a side dish. Having the opportunity to make an illustration about something very close to me is certainly very interesting. There are emotions and everyday experiences that I've tried to capture in the artwork.” Reza Dwi Setyawan remarked on the question from Google. 

This nutritious plant-based protein is a 400-year-old fermented food that originated in Indonesia and is typically made of soybeans, but it can be made of many other beans, grains, and legumes by the same fermentation process. 

Tempeh was first documented in the 1600s in Tembayat Village, Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, and was recorded on Serat Centhini, a twelve-volume compilation of Javanese tales and teachings, written in verse and published in 1814. 

People all over the world typically consume tempeh as a meat replacement, combined with rice and vegetables. It offers a variety of health benefits, like improved gut and brain health. 

Rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, prebiotics, and vitamin B12, this food made of minimally processed soybeans is a popular choice for most people in Indonesia and emerging among health enthusiasts around the world. 

Various leaves can be used to wrap tempeh during fermentation. Waru, teak, and guava leaves are some of the oldest known, while the banana leaf is the most popular one in Indonesia.

There are many ways to consume Tempeh, but due to its great taste, Tempe Goreng or fried tempeh has been the most popular tempeh dish. Fried tempeh is usually combined with various types of sambal (ground and seasoned chili pepper dipping) and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce made of fermented soybean). 

Through this Google Doodle, Reza Dwi Setyawan also hopes that Tempeh becomes better known outside Indonesia. Tempeh is a simple food with amazing benefits.