Akulturasi Budaya dan Makna Simbolis pada Menu di Restoran Sushi Me! Medan

Abstract

This study discusses cultural acculturation and symbolic meaning in the menu at Sushi Me! Restaurant in Medan. This study aims to describe cultural acculturation in menu naming and symbolic meaning at Sushi Me! Restaurant in Medan. This research is a qualitative study using observation, documentation, and literature review methods to find answers to the research questions. The data analysis method and technique used is qualitative descriptive. The theories used in this study are cultural acculturation, cultural adaptation, and semiotics. The results of the study show that there are 24 menus at Sushi Me! Medan Restaurant that are the result of cultural acculturation manifested through naming, ingredients, and food. Based on these findings, it shows that this acculturation does not only occur in taste and ingredients but also in the symbolic elements contained in color, shape, and presentation. The menus at Sushi Me! are not only a form of culinary creativity but also a medium of cross-cultural communication that brings together Japanese traditions and the rich flavors of Indonesia. This study also shows that food can be an effective means of creating intercultural understanding and conveying cultural messages through harmonious flavors, colors, and shapes.