Asia is known for having some of the best street food around the world, with each country boasting a unique offering of dishes that makes for an unforgettable snack or meal. Whether you end up with a burning mouth after daring to eat the spicy rice noodles of Thailand or surprised by the unexpected taste of the Philippine’s balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) the street food in Asia is definitely more exotic than the usual hot dog and corn dogs.
Foodies know though that a visit to Asia is not just about the street food. It’s the regional dishes that are unique not just to each country, but every province and little village that are the true culinary gems. These dishes you will
find not in posh restaurants, but in the kitchens of locals where the recipes have been handed down for generations. And just like any good recipe, these recipes are not written down but passed on through experience as the dish is cooked day in and day out.
The funny thing about roaming around Asia looking for great regional dishes is that you don’t have to travel to all of the countries to sample their fare. With migrants bringing with them their love of their food, you will be able to find a little corner of China, India, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan in just about every country you visit. Just make sure that you a Chinese chef is cooking the Chinese food (and so on) or you can bet that you’ll get some watered down version that will leave you wanting.
Of course, Asian foodies also love western food. This means that you will be hard pressed to find great French restaurants in Hong Kong, an excellent Italian restaurant in Manila, and Mc Donalds in just about every major city (if not every corner). From fine dining to fast food, western influences can be found in Asia’s food scene.
So the next time you travel to Asia, keep your eyes open not only for the sights but also for the best street food, regional food, and even Western and fusion cuisine you can surely find.