Will you travel for food? Do travel and food go together like jam and bread? Are foodie experiences on the top of your to-do list when travelling?
You are not alone.
If you love travel and food as much as we do, then there is no better place for a foodie adventure than Southeast Asia. Most will agree that this region is one of the best culinary destinations in the world.
To celebrate Southeast Asia’s sensational travel and food scene, we have put together a list of the absolute best foodie experiences and food cities to add to your travel menu.
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What is a Foodie Experience?
The best way to immerse yourself in local culture is to eat. Food brings people together, and food is where cultures intersect. Sit on a little red plastic stool on the street in Hanoi and slurp up your pho bo, and there is nothing that separates you from Mr and Mrs Nguyen next to you. A foodie experience like this is what travel is all about.
A foodie experience is a positive encounter involving food and about the people with whom you’re sharing the food. It’s about the environment, the smells, textures and colours, the sounds, the process involved, and the journey you took to get there.
Like a good recipe, a foodie experience is about what goes into it. But at its core, it’s a lasting memory with food at the centre of that experience. Those in search of a lasting food memory will find many of them in Southeast Asia.
Best Destinations for Foodie Travellers in Southeast Asia
To travel is to eat – they are inseparable. You’re likely to have the best food you’ve ever had in your life while on holiday in Southeast Asia, without even planning it.
So, where in SE Asia should you, as a foodie traveller, go to get the most delicious food?
Drumroll.
Man, this REALLY is an unfair question to ask.
But since you keep on pushing for an answer…
Our top 5 food cities of SE Asia are:
- Hanoi
- Penang
- Chiang Mai
- Singapore
- Ubud.
(okay, there is no easy way to say that without offending someone)
But, we’ve said it.
Throw me with a dumpling.
Poke me with a satay skewer.
Force a chilli down my throat.
Prove us wrong…
Visit any of these cities, and you’ll be in culinary Nirvana. But that’s just the tip of the nasi goreng. Outside these food capitals, you’ll find incredible regional food on par with that of the big names.
Regardless of where you eat in Southeast Asia, the food will bowl you over with flavour, colour, aroma and affordability.
Foodie travellers, gourmands, gluttons, and normal people like me and you might even consider going to Southeast Asia on a food tour.
Best Foodie Experiences in Indonesia
Yogyakarta | Ubud| Bandaneira | Jimbaran
A Food Tour with a Difference in Yogyakarta
We came to Yogyakarta (Jogja to the locals) to see the stunning Borobudur temple, but little did we know that we would cherish the city for the fantastic food tour we went on.
It all started over dinner at ViaVia Cafe in Prawirotaman, just around the corner from
Our waitress explained that ViaVia empowers young people, especially women, and promotes sustainable and community-based tourism in Java. Before we even had our pisang goreng dessert, we were signed up for a culinary tour of Yogyakarta the next day.
Our guides, Reeza and Weewee, picked us up from our hotel with their scooters the next day. With us on the back of their scooters, our guides quickly turned into our buddies as we wove through the Jogja traffic.
First, we stopped at a warung (small restaurant) to make and eat gado gado (a salad of raw and blanched vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, tempeh, tofu and peanut sauce).
Next up was a bakpia cookie factory. Here, we saw how a team of workers makes and bakes these mung bean-filled pastries, and we could try as many as we wanted. Reeza explained that these pastries are the most popular ole ole (souvenirs) for Indonesians visiting Yogyakarta. (We agree; snacks make the best gifts for those at home.)
Next, we tried gudeg (Java’s signature dish of stewed unripe jackfruit, palm sugar and coconut milk) in the historic Kraton area before moving on to two different dessert stalls to try delicious kueh.
Our food adventure concluded at a ronde cart (ginger tea with palm fruit and croutons) in front of the Sultan’s palace. We sat on the grass, drank ronde and chatted for a long time after our tour was supposed to have ended. We were not on tour anymore, but just hanging out with friends.
ViaVia Yogyakarta:
Culinary Trip
Beautiful Slow Food in Ubud
Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, but perhaps it should be the stomach. Ubud food is gorgeous, fresh, vibrant and healthy, just like the Balinese. The beauty of Ubud food is…well…how beautiful it is.
Where Ubud food rises above the rest of SE Asia is how much of the food is entirely plant-based. Vegetarians, vegans, and people curious about the lifestyle are in for a treat.
All the meals we had in Ubud were beautiful and memorable, from the succulent babi guling served on banana leaves to the Asian tapas we had at Sacred Rice to the molten lava cakes. But eating at Siboghana Waroeng stands out above them all for its unique simplicity.
Siboghana Waroeng takes slow food to a whole new level. The small menu is entirely vegan, and all the ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Orders are made from scratch, one at a time -some of them over a wooden fire.
A sign warns diners that they only serve homecooked food and that you might have to “wait 45 minutes or so”. We waited for more than that, and it felt strange at first, but then we just surrendered and went with the mellow flow.
As we waited (and waited), we talked about the leaves on the trees and the weather, we sat in silence, we remembered and talked about stuff that happened years ago, and by the time the food finally arrived, we were relaxed as humanly possible.
The food tasted wholesome, and we appreciated the love and effort that went into preparing the simple dishes. Siboghana Waroeng reminded us to slow down and of the beauty of a simple and unrushed life we often yearn for.
Recommended Ubud Food Tour:
Street Food Experience
Recommended Ubud Cooking Class
History & Spice in the Spice Islands
The history of spice is in many ways also the history of the world. These aromatic commodities have inspired some of the most remarkable journeys of all time, and, even today, a trip to the Spice Islands is an epic and fragrant adventure.
I met a spice farmer called Braam in the Banda Islands, and he insisted on showing me around his nutmeg plantation. The shade-loving nutmeg trees grow underneath gigantic kenari (almond) trees planted by the colonial Dutch perkeniers (plantation owners) hundreds of years ago.
As we walked under these almond giants, Braam pointed out nutmeg, cutting open the apricot-sized fruit, and revealing the nutmeg inside, surrounded by bright red mace. He showed me how to strip cinnamon bark from trees, which we brewed into a tea with cloves.
The nutmeg fruit is either dried, or cooked into a jam which is served with thick pancakes for breakfast. The nutmeg itself is sprinkled into coffee and sweet snacks such as dadar gulung (desiccated coconut pancakes) or halua kenari (like halva but made with almonds) that you can buy in the morning market in Bandaneira, while mace is used to add depth to savoury dishes.
For the most memorable meal in the Banda islands, head over to Delfika 1 Guesthouse. It’s a historical perkenier house, and the best place to indulge in Maluku home cooking. Definitely try the Terong Kenari (grilled eggplant in almond sauce).
It’s hard to imagine, but the humble nutmeg led Columbus to find the Americas, New Amsterdam became New York and the southern tip of Africa went Dutch. Now that’s something to think about while you’re slathering more nutmeg jam on those pancakes!
The Real Jimbaran Fish Market
Everyone knows that Jimbaran, just north of Uluwatu, is the best place for seafood in Bali. Before sunset, table cloths are ironed, lanterns are lit, tables are set, and beers and chardonnay are chilled before the hungry tourists arrive.
If you want a damn good seafood dinner, come to the Jimbaran seafood restaurants set up on the beach of Jimbaran Bay every night. Jolly good.
But for an authentic foodie experience, continue walking past the tables and waiters on the beach until you reach the actual Jimbaran Fish Market. It’s the large building by the concrete pier.
Here you’ll find hundreds of stalls selling fresh seafood right off the boat. You can touch, smell, inspect, haggle and pick and mix as you like – anything from tuna, barracuda, snapper, grouper, squid, shrimp, lobster and crab to clams and scallops.
Once you have selected and paid for your seafood, head outside, where the narrow streets are lined with little kitchens that will cook your dinner for you. Tell the kitchen how you want your seafood (grilled on the fire, fried, steamed, curry etc.), and you can also order sides like rice or vegetables.
We got a couple of cold Bintang beers, grabbed a table on the street and waited for our fish, shrimp and scallops to marry with the lemon-butter on the grill. It was a fine night with bbq smoke wafting in the sea breeze. The seafood was equally fine.
How to get to Jimbaran:
It’s about halfway between Uluwatu and Kuta. You don’t really need to take a tour to Jimbaran, but we recommend
Culinary Adventures in Vietnam
Hanoi | Can Tho| Saigon
Markets & Street Food in Hanoi
It’s no secret that Vietnam is a foodie’s paradise – and Hanoi, the capital, is one culinary mecca that never disappoints. Not only is this one of the best destinations in the region for street food and markets, but it’s also a hotspot for contemporary dining, cocktails, and swish speciality coffee shops.
Some of Vietnam’s best foodie experiences can be had in Hanoi, starting with a trip to the Long Bien Market, the city’s biggest wholesale produce market. Things kick off after midnight and wind up by sunrise, so this is definitely one for early risers. Smaller morning markets unfurl throughout the city from 6 am onwards; check out the popular Dong Xuan market near the Old Quarter or Ngoc Ha market for a local experience.
Next, it’s time to sample Hanoi’s legendary street food scene. Pho Bo (beef pho) is a breakfast favourite, while Hanoi speciality Cha Ca (turmeric and dill fish soup) is another must-try. For something special, head to the Truc Bach neighbourhood for a plate of Pho Cuon, rice rolls with beef and lettuce.
If you still have room, try a Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee) at Dinh Cafe – they lay claim to the original recipe – or a coconut iced coffee at trendy Cong. Dinner at State-Run Food Shop #37 on Truc Bach island is a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience: This restaurant serves up simple but delicious recipes that were popular during the Communist era in a retro-themed dining room, food stamps and all.
Eaten by: Emily from Wander-Lush
Recommended Hanoi Food Tour:
Guided Food Tour with Train Street Visit
Recommended Hanoi Cooking Class
Make Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Can Tho: A Genuine Floating Breakfast in the Mekong Delta
Can Tho, located about 150 kilometres from Saigon, is an underrated foodie place to visit in Vietnam.
It’s famous for the Cai Rang Floating Market, a daily market along the
During our ride, we saw dozens of overstuffed boats full of fresh produce to sell, such as pineapples, watermelons, potatoes, squash, and more. We stopped by a boat and bought a fresh pineapple to enjoy.
One of the coolest experiences was eating hủ tiếu (hot noodle soup) for breakfast on our sampan. It was quite a sight to see the two-person team take orders and serve the most delicious noodle soup from their tiny boat. Another boat was selling drinks, so we had a fresh coconut with the noodles.
The second half of the boat ride involved stopping by a rice noodle factory, where we helped dry fresh rice noodles and cut them into thin noodles. We also saw how puffed rice snacks were made.
At the end of the day, Can Tho has two night markets to check out. Can Tho Night Market has many stalls selling snacks such as bánh tráng nướng (grilled rice paper with quail eggs and grilled meats) which were some of the tastiest that we’ve had in Vietnam, fish cakes, desserts, and more.
Tan Dai Phong Night Market has BBQ seafood stalls so we tried fresh shellfish and seafood.
Eaten by: Jackie & Justin from Life of Doing
Sip, Slurp and Snack through Saigon’s Biggest Market
Food has always been an essential part of my travels. Exploring the tastes and flavours of authentic Vietnamese cuisine was one of the highlights of my trip to the country.
If you are travelling to Vietnam and would like to try some of the best Vietnamese food, I recommend visiting Saigon’s Ben Than Night Market. It’s one of the most vibrant food markets I’ve ever visited. It is the city’s biggest market and a Saigon landmark.
The market offers a massive variety of goods: from local handicrafts and Vietnamese art to clothing and, of course, food. The market opens at 6 am every day, but it really comes alive after 6 pm when the Ben Than Night Market starts.
The most exciting part of the Night Market is the food section, which offers amazing fare: fresh vegetables, exotic fruits, spices, cheap street food, and the finest delicacies.
At the Ben Than Night Market, you can try some typical Vietnamese dishes (like pho, spring rolls, banh bio), Vietnamese delicacies (like banh cuon, bun cha aka Obama noodles), or even some weird food like snails and silkworms.
The market is located in Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, near the Saigon bus station.
Eaten by: Milijana from World Travel Connector
Recommended Saigon Food Tour:
Street food tour by motorbike
Recommended Saigon Cooking Class
Cooking Class & BenThanh Market Tour
Singapore: Small in Size, Big in Flavour
One of the best food experiences in Southeast Asia (and anywhere in the world!) is in Singapore. Singapore has long had a reputation for delicious flavours and cuisine all of its own. It is home to numerous ethnicities, allowing several traditions and cultures to collide into one tasty travel destination!
You can find it all in Singapore – from cheap food markets and stalls to fine dining restaurants winning some of the world’s most coveted awards. And, you will find different neighbourhoods with extremely differing traditions and foods.
A can’t-miss on any Singapore itinerary is finding the tastiest food at the hawker centres. You will find these food centres all over Malaysia and Singapore, and they were built as a sanitary alternative to the food carts you will see along city streets. And inside of them, you will feel like you entered a world of food options (at an affordable price).
Maxwell Food Centre, East Coast Lagoon Food Village, and Old Airport Road Food Centre are among some of the favourites in Singapore. My favourite is Old Airport Road, and the Lao Ban Soya Beancurd is a must-try!
Some other delicious foods to try in Singapore are murtabak and Singaporean chilli crab. The most famous place to try murtabak is near Masjid Sultan at Zam Zam Restaurant. Originally from the Arabian Peninsula, the affordable and flavourful food is typically filled with meat and eggs and is mind-blowingly good!
Eaten by: Megan from Megan Starr
Recommended Singapore Foodie Tour:
Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with a Local
Recommended Singapore Cooking Class
Market-to-Table Experience and Cooking Class
Foodie Tourism in Malaysia
Penang | Melaka
Nyonya & Peranakan Kuih of Penang
Penang is the proverbial melting pot of cultures and flavours. Home to Malay, Chinese and Indian communities (all heavyweights in the culinary world), it’s a given that the food in Penang borders on the divine.
Over time, these cultures, ingredients and recipes have simmered and organically fused into one of the most fabulous culinary destinations known to man.
The Nyonya or Peranakan cuisines of Penang resulted from the intermarrying of Tamil, Malay, and Chinese food, and they are absolutely fantastic. The terms Nyonya and Peranakan are used interchangeably.
While the Penang Asam Laksa, Nasi Lemak, and Char Koay Teow send most into a delirium, it was the Nyonya desserts called kuih that proved to be our Achilles’ heels.
Kuih is a colourful, bite-sized dessert with soft yet firm, spongy and chewy textures all in one. The most common ingredients are coconut, pandan, palm sugar and starchy flour such as tapioca, sago or rice flour.
These bright kuihs are beautifully layered, both in colours in flavours. We found them at hawker centres and street food markets all over Penang. For the best street food (including kuih) in Penang, you can’t go wrong with either the New Lane Hawker Centre or the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre.
We were over the moon when we saw a great collection of kuih on the breakfast buffet at the stunning heritage hotel, the
Recommended Penang Food Tour:
Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Laksa, Coconut Shakes & More in Melaka
Melaka is one of the best food tourism destinations in Southeast Asia. You can find many different types of cuisine in Melaka, including Western, Indian, Chinese and Malay.
We spent a few weeks in Melaka, and searching for foodie experiences was one of the best things to do in Melaka.
If you want something delicious, you should try the chicken rice or laksa. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the curry fish balls or satay. And if you’re looking for something sweet, make sure to try Katong Kuih or pineapple tarts!
One of the best things we ate was rice balls. They are balls made of rice with small pieces of chopped chicken – cooked or roasted. We found the best rice balls at Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Balls. The place is so famous that we met people from Singapore who came especially to Melaka to try them. We had several helpings and kept coming back for more.
Another place to get acquainted with food in Melaka is the weekend night market in Jonker street. While on Jonker street, you should try the coconut shakes. The way they throw the juicy coconut flesh flying through the air into your cup is quite an entertaining show to watch.
Also, try the colourful and delicious dim sums while you’re on Jonker Street.
Recommended Melaka Food Tour
Food & Scoot in Melaka
Best Foodie Experiences in Thailand
Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Ao Nang
Heavenly, Healthy Food in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is exciting on so many levels, but it was especially appealing for my partner and me for the great selection of food.
Home of the Khao Soi, a delicious curry noodle soup with all sorts of pickled shenanigans, Chiang Mai has a selection of day and night markets where you can sample delicious Northern Thai specialities. The bounty of fresh produce on offer and the ridiculously low prices will amaze you.
Home to a growing crowd of digital nomads escaping the cold (and I really cannot blame people for flocking here for cheap living and delicious eating), Chiang Mai incidentally also caters exceptionally well to vegans and vegetarians. That is the reason why I decided to settle here for quite a few months.
Between dozens of Chiang Mai vegan restaurants and abundant tropical fruits available at the markets (I’ve become a fan of the infamously stinky durian — have you tried it?), Chiang Mai is a food heaven for the health-minded and vegan alike. Don’t leave without trying durian at least once!
Eaten by: Amélie from Mostly Amelie
Recommended Chiang Mai Foodie Tour:
Guided Michelin Street Food Tour
Recommended Chiang Mai Cooking Class
Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour
Bangkok Street Food
Bangkok in Thailand is my personal culinary paradise for street food in Southeast Asia.
Although there are numerous exquisite restaurants in this metropolis to go out to eat, Bangkok street food is really ingenious and unique. Every time I take a trip to the Thai capital, I embark on a culinary journey through the streets and alleys of the city.
The best part is, you don’t have to look far, because street food is on every corner! There are more than 50,000 stalls in Bangkok selling cooked, fried, and fresh food.
The street food is excellent, especially in the numerous night markets, and particularly in the Chinatown district.
Around 6:00 pm, most stalls start setting up, then the chairs are placed on the streets, and the lively eating begins. The flavours are intoxicating; scents of lemongrass, grilled food, chilli, and curry fill the night air.
The most famous dish you can get on almost every corner is Pad Thai, a delicious noodle dish with egg. However, there is much, much, much more to try.
If you don’t dare to go on your own, I recommend joining a Bangkok Street Food Tour. Locals will show you the best food stalls in the city and explain what you are eating!
Eaten by: Martina from PlacesofJuma
Recommended Bangkok Foodie Tour:
Backstreets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Top Rated & Best Selling Bangkok Cooking Class
A Thai Cooking Class in Ao Nang
Krabi might be better known for its beautiful beaches, pristine islands, lush jungles, and ancient temples, but one of the easiest ways to get acquainted with the region’s rich and diverse culture is through your stomach.
While you’ll certainly be able to sample some incredible Thai food no matter where your Krabi itinerary takes you, joining a cooking class is a great way to learn a new skill and master the basics of Thai cuisine in just a few short hours.
There’s no shortage of cooking schools in Krabi’s major tourist hubs, but if you happen to be in Ao Nang, don’t miss joining a class at
The school uses only the freshest locally sourced ingredients, and what’s more, the knowledgeable instructor will make you feel comfortable no matter your cooking abilities.
Unlike other schools, you’ll get to choose up to 7 different dishes of your choice to prepare. From classics like Pad Thai and sticky mango rice to trickier dishes like Thai Green Curry, spring rolls, and Tom Yam soup – you name it.
During the 3 hour class, you’ll learn a bit more about all the various ingredients and herbs, how to prepare each dish, and of course (the best part) sample the fruits of your labour!
Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or an avid home cook, joining a cooking class is undeniably one of the best things to do in Ao Nang!
Cooked & Eaten by: Mariza from Hop On World
Book your Smart Cook
Foodie Travels in Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Khmer Cuisine Along the Tonle Sap River in Phom Penh
Cambodia is known for its diverse and dark history, from the temples of Angkor Wat to the memorials of Pol Pot’s reign. However, the food in Cambodia is yet another great reason to visit, and the capital, Phnom Penh, is arguably the best place to experience it.
Khmer cuisine is similar to other cuisines in Southeast Asia, with some of the most popular dishes including bbq meats, noodle soups, curries and stir-fries. Most dishes aim to find the perfect balance of sweet, salty and spicy.
For us, we found exploring the street food markets and roadside stalls one of the best things to do in Phnom Penh and the most exciting way to enjoy the best food in Cambodia.
There are plenty of markets with amazing food in Phnom Penh, but the Phnom Penh Night Market located along the Tonle Sap river is the most popular.
When you first enter the market, you can expect to find hundreds of stalls selling typical wares, but the food section is the best part. A huge area, covered with mats, is designated for dining. Along the perimeter of the mats are stalls selling all kinds of Cambodian foods, including bbq meat on skewers and noodle dishes, as well as some of our favourite Khmer dishes such as lok lak and amok.
Eaten by: Delilah from Our Travel Mix
Recommended Phnom Penh Foodie Tours:
Evening Food Tour with Drinks by Tuk Tuk
Craft Beer & Breweries Tour by Vespa
A Foodie Adventure in the Philippines
Cebu
Food Markets for Adventurous Eaters in Cebu
Cebu is amongst the best places in the Philippines for street food. Apart from the (in)famous Filipino balut (a fertilized duck embryo), you can also have authentic and delicious food experiences in the local markets.
Colon, Carbon, and Pasil markets are the best food markets in Cebu for adventurous foodies. For the best experience, I recommend going on a guided food tour.
We enjoyed strolling around with our guides, being quite the attraction for the locals. We tried some very unique food during our tour.
Fried pork intestines with corn grits tasted better than it sounded to me. Chicken barbecue was an easy and delicious one. The Nilarang fish soup we had was so rich and tasty! Sautéd pork brain with hanging rice was not my favourite, except for the rice.
A food tour has to be finished off with a dessert, right? That’s why we had a caramelized banana, which was a real delicacy.
Overall, the food in Cebu is beautifully diverse, but you need to dig under the surface of the Cebu food scene and join a local tour. I went with Backstreet Academy and loved it.
Cebu’s modern food market, Sugbo Mercado, shouldn’t be missed either.
Eaten by: Veronika from Travel Geekery
Foodie Experiences in SE Asia: Where and How Will You Eat Next?
Our list of foodie experiences is just to whet your appetite. Give them a try, or go on your own food adventure (and then let us know where). We hope the sauce is hot and the beers are cold!