Comparative Study of Mendol as an Indonesian Traditional Side Dish in Food Tourism

Abstract

Efforts to stimulate economic growth, especially after the impact of the pandemic, are currently being undertaken worldwide. The tourism sector, a major economic driver, is transforming strategically. One promising strategy involves promoting traditional cuisine to enhance culinary tourism. Indonesian traditional dishes are an essential aspect of cultural heritage, and mendol is one of Indonesia’s original signature dishes, particularly in Malang, East Java. This research aims to understand the highly sought-after combination of mendol dishes along with traditional Indonesian cuisine through Twitter data analysis. The study employs the Apriori algorithm to analyze the Twitter data’s frequent item sets and association rules. The research findings reveal that mendol is a highly favored dish among Indonesian Twitter users, with Rawon, Nasi Jagung, and Pecel also receiving significant attention. The uniqueness of this research lies in the application of the Apriori theorem method to determine the most valuable culinary combinations within the framework of local culinary co-creation. This research provides insights that can be implemented to optimize culinary presentation, shape a distinctive image of local cuisine, and enhance the appeal of culinary tourism. Ultimately, this contribution is expected to positively impact economic growth.