Pattaya Rural

We all have to eat when we are travelling, but some of us travel specifically in pursuit of the ultimate culinary experience. For the travelling foodie, food and drink are not merely a nourishment necessity for the trip, but are what makes up the trip and gives a unique perspective on the culture you are visiting. Here are a few ideas as to which countries you must visit when travelling in Asia and are looking to excite the tastebuds.

Photo: moriza’

Malaysia

For the travelling food critic on a budget, you will have no problem spending a lot of time in Malaysia; hotels, food, transportation and entertainment is all reasonably priced while maintaining great quality. There is an enormous variety of food and drink to choose from, and you will experience just about every conceivable way there is to have rice: from rice porridge to coconut rice, and from compressed rice cakes to rice wine. With rice as the staple, the sky is the limit as to the assortment of dishes that can be made, and the food also varies in different regions. Take a cooking class while you are here and learn about the way that historical events have shaped the culture of Malaysia as well as its food. An absolute must is to try a laksa, which is a noodle soup dish that comes in a myriad of different ingredients and flavours.

Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is popular because of the light, subtle nature of the food and for the fresh and delicious herbs and spices that they use. With rice as the base, don’t be surprised to find ingredients such as bamboo shoots, banana blossoms, banana leaves and red chillies gracing many dishes. The most popular dish here is pho, which is simply a Vietnamese noodle soup that can come in endless varieties depending on your taste. Vietnam hotels are normally situated in the bustling areas where there is plenty of street food you can try as well as food you can buy from the market.

South Korea

Often overlooked by westerners as a popular culinary choice, food in Korea is the absolute trip for the travelling foodie. Meals in Korea are simple variations of rice vegetables and meat; however it is the infinite side-dishes that accompany every meal that make it interesting. With the staple ingredient for many dishes being red pepper paste, a lot of the food here is extremely spicy and not suitable for the faint of heart. The best advice for you is to give it a try, but order a jug of beer for the table as this is the only way to completely soothe your mouth after every delicious and fiery bite.

Thailand

Thai food is best known for balancing the four elementary tastes; sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Rice is a staple in Thai food and especially Jasmine rice as it grows native in Thailand. Accompanying rice or noodles is a variety of aromatic curries, stir fried vegetables and other dishes. The food here often uses herbs and spices that cannot be found in the west, so it is strongly recommended that you take a cooking class or thoroughly check out the markets while you are here!

Photo: Kake Pugh

China

You could travel in China only and find a variety of culinary options as Chinese cooking is divided into four main schools: Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern. The differences arise from a combination of geographical, climatic and historical differences. There are too many options to list here, however you will find the same basic ingredients; rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables such as bok choy, herbs, and sauces and seasonings such as soy and oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil and star anise just to name a few. There is too much choice here, so when you go be sure to give yourself a lot of time, go with an appetite and be adventurous!

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