Two new retort pouches of traditional East Timorese cuisine are now on sale! Along with the book "Tabi no fingerashi konversation book 83: Timor-Leste" (Traveler's phrasebook 83: Timor-Leste) Scheduled for release by the end of 2025

Fingers and Fingerprints, Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takamune Tamura) has jointly developed two traditional East Timorese dishes, "Aguasar ikan (herb soup with fish)" and "Midar sean naan fahi (sweet and sour stewed pork)," with the "World Food Museum" (Representative: Naoyoshi Motoyama) and has released them as retort pouch foods. The two products will be jointly developed and released as retort foods.

In addition, the book that served as the starting point for this project, "Travel Guide 83: Timor-Leste," is scheduled to go on sale to the general public by the end of 2025, after prior delivery to crowdfunding supporters.

Two retort pouches reproducing traditional East Timorese cuisine: "Aguasar ikan (herb soup with fish)" (left) and "Midar sean naan fahi (sweet and sour stewed pork)" (right).

Background

The "Tabi no fingerashi conversation book" series has been a long-selling series that has introduced 82 countries and regions, and this East Timor edition ("Tabi no fingerashi conversation book 83: East Timor") marks the 83rd country in the series. With a total circulation of approximately 5.5 million copies, it is widely used not only by travelers, but also for international exchange and multicultural understanding.

East Timor is one of the newest countries in Asia, having gained independence in 2002, and its official admission as the 11th member of ASEAN on October 26, 2025 is drawing increasing attention not only in Japan but also internationally.

Cooking scenes and dining tables seen in daily life in Timor-Leste

About the development of the retort pouch food

This product is two traditional Timorese dishes developed jointly with the "World Food Museum" (Representative: Naoyoshi Motoyama). In developing this product, we held a series of tasting sessions with the cooperation of Timorese students in Japan and the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Tokyo, and received feedback on local flavors and cultural backgrounds to improve the reproducibility of the flavors.

Timorese students in Japan and the Yubisashi team (front left: Masahiko Uchino, front right: Naoko Takaku, author)

Co-developer: Naoyoshi Motoyama, owner chef of the World's Greatest Feast Museum

Chef Naoyoshi Motoyama, owner of the "World's Gourmet Museum," and some of the retort pouch food series that the brand has been involved in.

After training in French cuisine in Japan, Chef Motoyama traveled to more than 30 countries around the world to learn home cooking and ethnic cuisines directly from the locals in order to "learn about the world through cooking. After returning to Japan, he opened a restaurant "Sekai no Gochiso Palermo" in Kobe. He has been the talk of the town since he held "Sekai no Gochiso Earth Marathon," serving dishes from 196 countries around the world. Currently, he presides over the retort food brand "Sekai no Gochiso Museum" and continues to introduce traditional dishes from around the world in a form that can be enjoyed at home. He is the author of "World Recipes from 196 Countries".

About the book "Tabi no finger-sashin konversation book 83: Timor-Leste

This is a part of the existing "Tabi no finger-sashin katakana book" series. The East Timor edition is the 83rd country in the series.

This book is a compilation of Tetumolese that can be used in daily life, travel, and international exchange in a "just point and tell" format. The book was completed while sharing the production process with supporters.

Comments

＜Naoyoshi Motoyama, chef and representative of the World Food Museum

Timor-Leste is still not widely known, but the first step to understanding its charms lies in its food. The retort foods that are linked to the finger pointing conversation book published this time are carefully reproduced local tastes. This new product will remind you of the excitement you felt on your trip and help you deepen your understanding of the country.

＜Masahiko Uchino, Manager, Yubisashi Co.

In addition to being the first new publication in 11 years, the retort of traditional East Timorese cuisine is a new challenge for us to introduce the charm of this country in Japan from the perspectives of both "language" and "food". We hope that this will provide an opportunity for people in Japan to experience the culture of Timor-Leste and become a gateway to exchange.

Future Prospects

Within 2025: Start selling books and retort pouch foods to the general public.

In 2026, we plan to hold a series of tasting events and exchange events.

2026: Tasting events and exchange events will be held in succession.

Co-creation partners wanted

We would like to utilize this initiative to convey the culture of Timor-Leste through "language" and "food" in more venues. We are open to any field, including education, international exchange, tourism, and local events. If you are a company, organization, or municipality interested in this project, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to create new "connections" with you.

Company Profile

Company name: Yubisashi Co.

Location: Tensho Yoyogi Building S607, 1-30-15 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Business description: Publication of Yubisashi Conversation Book and planning and provision of YUBISASHI contents

Official website: https://www.yubisashi.com/