If your dream getaway features an itinerary brimming with delicious food recs, then we’ve got seven truly tasty destinations worth cashing in your annual leave for.
A mecca of absolute flavour bombs, a trip to Southeast Asia is all about discovering unique dining experiences and tucking into unmissable street food that'll leave you drooling.
For an epic vacay that won’t break the bank, Air Asia is our go-to—all that coin you save on your airfare can be spent on epic food. Jetting off to over 130 locations across Asia, uncover fresh eats, unexpected cultural experiences and endless hidden gems on a flight with AirAsia.
What are you waiting for? Go somewhere different for your next vacay to one of our fave cities below.
Bangkok
Bangkok is soundtracked by the sizzle of street vendors, flipping, frying and concocting tasty dishes you’ll want to devour over and over again. Kick off your culinary adventure with a visit to Victory Monument, where you'll find tantalising scents wafting from tiny eateries and open-air stalls packed around the bustling transport hub. Check out Thip Samai for unreal pad thai and Sabai Jai Gai Yang for their spicy papaya salad.
Follow the skywalk north over the roundabout to uncover a row of boat noodle restaurants for a truly unique Bangkok experience. These portions of slurpy soupy noods are notoriously small, but that’s not to rip you off—it’s to encourage you to try multiple concoctions.
And you can’t visit Bangkok without swinging by Yaowarat Road aka Chinatown. Nonnegotiables include khao gaeng from Jek Pui Curry (who have been feeding hungry locals for 70 years), and sen yai roll (rice noodles rolled up and served in a broth with crispy fried garlic and pork) from Nai-Ek Roll Noodle.
Ho Chi Minh
Vietnam’s most dynamic city is a foodie’s nirvana, with every corner of the buzzing metropolis proffering a drool-worthy dish. District 4—once synonymous with the local mob—is like an open-air restaurant with narrow streets brimming with epic spots to grab a meal on the go. Vinh Khanh Street, aka ‘seafood street’, comes alive in the PM with cold beer and freshly cooked seafood devoured on plastic chairs on the sidewalk. Oc Oanh is a must-visit stall—order the salted crab claws and stir-fried snails.
Bánh mì is like a religion in Ho Chi Minh, and while everyone has their own twist, the very best can be found at Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa in District 1. The small shop always has a line but it’s worth the wait.
Penang
A kaleidoscope of culture can be found on the streets of Penang, resulting in a truly diverse foodie offering. Wander through the beautiful streets of George Town where old-world charm oozes from every building—and a fusion of Malay, Chinese and Indian culture can be found inside the slew of casual eateries.
Start with a bowl of melt-in-your-mouth noodles at Siam Road Char Koay Teow, followed by Penang’s best nasi lemak (coconut rice, spicy sambal topped with chicken or fish) from Ali Nasi Lemak. Round it out with a bowl of refreshing cendol (an iced sweet dessert of coconut and palm sugar) from Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul—there’s always a line but it moves quickly.
If you have time—or stomach space—left,head to the Air Itam Market Annex Food Court and order a bowl of assam laksa from Air Itam Bisu.
Manila
This neon-soaked capital is home to the world’s oldest Chinatown—which is jam-packed with incredible street eats set among busy streets and Buddhist temples. Here, the options are endless, so take note. For hand-pulled noodles served with a rich broth head to Lan Zhou La Mien. Smash dim sum at Chuan Kee, oriental fried chicken at Sincerity Cafe and Restaurant and fried siopao (a steamed bun) from Shanghai Fried Siopao.
A rite of passage in Manila is cooling down with a halo-halo, a sweet combo of crushed ice, evaporated milk and a rainbow of colourful tasty toppings. The best can be found at Aling Consuelo Halo-Halo in Manila Metro which has been serving this icy delight since the sixties.
Phnom Penh
Family-run restaurants and vibrant street vendors are what make Phnom Penh an absolute must for foodies looking for their next culinary getaway. Tuol Tom Poung—or the Russian Market as it’s commonly known—is where you’ll want to head first. Sip fruit smoothies and Khmer coffee, sample fresh local produce and get a taste of Cambodia's proud BBQ culture. We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth sticky ribs, washed down with an icy beer.
Housed in a stunning 26-metre-high art deco home, Central Market is located on Street 128. Inside you’ll find a labyrinth of vendors peddling everything from clothing to jewellery, but venture a little deeper and you’ll rub shoulders with the locals as they fill their bags with fresh fruit and veg, and tuck into succulent skewers and fish amok.
Colombo
A rich tapestry of tuk tuks, spices, banyan trees and technicolour buildings, Colombo truly deserves a spot on your Sri Lankan itinerary. With 15 multi-ethnic districts, this enchanting city is an oasis for those seeking gastronomic adventures. Case in point? Abdul Hameed Street in north Colombo, where a festive night market delivers top-notch vibes and excellent street eats like pani puri, oxtail soup, curry and roti canai.
On Saturdays, check out The Good Market, which brings together pop-ups from food producers across the country. For something a whole lot more chaotic but authentically Sri Lankan, check out Colombo’s busiest, bustling marketplace, Pettah Market. Nestled in District 11 and set among ornate buildings, you’ll rub shoulders with locals filling their bags with everything from textiles and handcrafted wares to fresh produce (Ceylon olives, plums, pomelos and plantain).
Our best tip is to just get lost and enjoy the sensory overload at this colourful bazaar, letting your nose guide you. Outside the Red Mosque, you’ll find carts peddling moreish chicken samosas. Opposite them, Bombay Sweet Mart serves some of the best faluda (an ice-cream dessert) on the island. While on 5th Cross Street, Safni Snack Bar slings some of the best biriyani you’ll ever have.
Jakarta
Dynamic, chaotic and teeming with world-class eats, Jakarta is fast becoming one of our most loved Southeast Asian cities. Nasi Goreng should be at the top of any foodie’s hit list when visiting Jakarta and we know just the place—Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Sirih. This humble street warung (family-run restaurant) has been serving up generous portions of the iconic mutton fried rice since 1958.
Along the coast, you can expect fresh-from-the-boat seafood that rivals anything you’ve had at home. But you needn’t pay big bucks for it. Seafood Ayu serves up juicy prawns, fish, crab and clams cooked however you wish—fried, grilled or smothered in a spicy sauce—in an open-air marquee.
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Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by AirAsia and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Images: Supplied.