We love to explore destinations through our stomachs, so we’ve compiled the best Asian cuisine experiences we offer on our small group tours to whet your appetite. Prepare to feel hungry!
Overview:
Japan
Chanko-Nabe
Chanko-Nabe Lunch, Tokyo by Eiko Mukaido
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On our Japan Discovery tour, you can experience a sumo wrestling demonstration before savouring a traditional Chanko-Nabe lunch at a local restaurant in Tokyo. But what is Chanko-Nabe? Chanko-Nabe is a hearty and nutritious Japanese hot pot dish that is traditionally eaten by sumo wrestlers. Containing various meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles in a rich broth, this hot pot stew is not only popular among sumo wrestlers, but by everyday Japanese people as a delicious comfort meal.
Wanko Soba
Wanko Soba Experience, Morioka by Yuriko Atsuta
South Korea
Kimchi
Kimchi by Makafood
Delve into South Korea’s cuisine at a kimchi making experience. This staple food is served with almost every meal and is made from fermented vegetables, such as cabbage, radish, or cucumber, and various seasonings like garlic, ginger, chili peppers, salt, and fish sauce. Kimchi has a complex flavour that can be sour, spicy, and umami, depending on the ingredients and the fermentation process and is used as an ingredient in dishes, such as kimchi stew, kimchi fried rice, and kimchi pancakes.
Hungry in South Korea? Here's our top 5 foods to try
Vietnam
Red Bridge Cooking School
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Red Bridge Cooking School by Dennis Bunnik
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On our Discover Vietnam and Discover Vietnam & Cambodia tours you’ll visit the colourful local market before taking a short cruise along the Hoi An River to the secluded Red Bridge Cooking School for an aromatic and informative cooking class. Explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about and preparing some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes including rice paper rolls, crispy Hoi An pancakes, seafood salad and Quang Nam Style noodles.
Street Food
Jump on the back of a vesper to discover Saigon’s best food spots, tasting authentic Vietnamese cuisine as the locals do. Dive into iconic street food like pho, a fragrant noodle soup, and bánh mì, the popular French-Vietnamese sandwich. Explore bún thịt nướng, a harmony of vermicelli, grilled meats, and fresh herbs, or savour the crispy delights of bánh xèo, a savoury pancake filled with shrimp and pork. Saigon's Asian cuisine not only tantalises your taste buds but also immerses you in the vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese culture.
Discover our guide to Vietnamese cuisine.
Cambodia
Khmer Cooking Class
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Khmer Cooking Class by Kristi Rutten
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Take part in a Khmer cooking class on our Discover Vietnam & Cambodia tour. Stop at a local market for a glimpse of the life of rural farmers before preparing and eating some of the best-known Khmer dishes for lunch. Khmer cuisine is a blend of indigenous Khmer cooking traditions and the culinary influences of Thailand, Vietnam, and China. It is known for its use of bold and aromatic flavours, such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and galangal, as well as a variety of herbs and spices. Cambodia’s most famous dish is amok, made from stewed catfish and seasoned with curry and coconut milk.
India
Local Family Lunch
On our Colours of Rajasthan tour, you can savour lunch with a local Indian family, and taste the authentic flavours of home-cooked dishes. Delve into traditional cooking through a demonstration, where you can learn the secrets of preparing mouth-watering curries, biryanis, and kebabs. Explore the enchanting realm of Indian herbs, such as curry leaves, mint, cilantro, and fenugreek, and discover how they add aroma, colour, and health benefits to your food.
Chettinad Cuisine
Chettinad Cuisine by Yashima, Flickr
Experience the art of Chettinad cuisine, watching a chef's demonstration, before indulging in the exquisite dishes for lunch. Chettinad cuisine originates from the Nattukotai Chettiars, hailing from the Chettinad region in Tamil Nadu, India. This distinctive culinary style is celebrated for its extensive use of spices, freshly ground masalas, alongside sun-dried meats, and salted vegetables. It has earned a reputation as one of the most aromatic cuisines in India, and you can sample it on our South India Explorer tour.
The Best of India’s Cuisine: 12 Must-Try Dishes
Sri Lanka
Curry and Hoppers
Sri Lankan BBQ Dinner by Tom Altschwager
Sri Lankan BBQ Dinner by David Reed
After a scenic cruise along the waters of Negombo Lagoon, you can indulge in a delicious dinner of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. Sample an array of meat, fish, vegetable, and lentil curries, served with steamed rice. These curries are usually spicy and flavoured with coconut milk, curry leaves and an assortment of exotic spices. Complementing these rich curries are hoppers – delicate, crispy pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Cooked in a small wok, these hoppers have a thick and soft base and thin, crunchy edges, forming a bowl-shaped pancake that can be enjoyed either savoury or sweet.
Learn more about this delicious special experience: Sri Lankan Cuisine - a tour highlight
Uzbekistan
Plov Masterclass
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Plov Masterclass by Yoshie Furusawa
Indulge in an authentic culinary masterclass with a local cook’s and learn how to make a traditional Uzbek plov on our 5-Stans tour. A dish celebrated for its aromatic blend of rice, succulent meat, and fragrant spices, plov is similar to pilaf or pulao, but has its own distinctive flavour and aroma. This immersive encounter offers not just a taste of the region's flavours but also a deep dive into the cultural and gastronomic richness that defines the Uzbek culinary landscape.
Hungry yet? We sure are! Start planning your Asian cuisine adventure today to explore the diverse cultures and flavours across this beautiful continent. Contact our friendly team of Travel Specialists or visit your local travel agent today.
