Food travel isn’t just about taste; it’s about history, tradition, daily life, and the stories behind every dish. As I journeyed across various countries beyond Philippine shores, each bite deepened my connection to the people and places I visited.
For me, travel has never just been about ticking off destinations or snapping selfies with famous landmarks. It’s always been about immersion. And there’s no better way to understand a place than through its food. From the bustling night markets of Bangkok to the serene backwaters of Kerala, every meal I’ve had while traveling has been a doorway into the soul of a culture.
Street Food and Market Finds: A Symphony of Sizzling Bites and Fragrant Delights
One of the most exciting aspects of food travel is exploring street food and local markets, where the real culinary heartbeat of a city pulses strongest. In Bangkok, the scent of sizzling pad thai and grilled skewers wafts through the air at Chatuchak Market. Then in Chiang Mai, the night bazaar offers everything from spicy som tam to crispy coconut pancakes. In Siem Reap, I wandered through the Old Market, where amok curry steamed in banana leaves mingled with the aroma of fresh lemongrass and kaffir lime.
In Guangzhou, dim sum carts rolled past eager diners, serving delicate har gow and siu mai, while Da Nang’s market vendors charred squid and grilled banh xeo right before my eyes. Vientiane, often overlooked for its more popular neighbors, surprised me with its laid-back charm and fragrant laap salads. Meanwhile, in Taipei, the legendary Ximending Night Market was a sensory overload of stinky tofu, oyster omelets, and bubble tea—all under one roof.
Each market visit wasn’t just a chance to eat. It was a crash course in local flavor, economy, and everyday life, and this is what food travel is all about.
Interesting Food: Bold Bites and Curious Culinary Encounters
Traveling has also introduced me to some of the most unusual foods I’ve ever seen…and sometimes tasted. In Rotorua, New Zealand, I experienced a traditional Māori hangi feast, where meat and vegetables are slow-cooked underground using heated rocks. The result? Tender, smoky flavors that told a story of resilience and tradition.
In Amphawa, Thailand, I braved a plate of raw shrimp tossed in fiery fish sauce, a bold, briny punch that woke up my palate, and made a lasting memory. Food travel gave me a chance encounter with the snake fruit in Yogyakarta. It’s a scaly-looking tropical fruit with a crisp, apple-like texture and a mildly sweet taste.
Meanwhile, Siem Reap’s street vendors offered fried insects like crickets and tarantulas. I watched others munch them down with glee, though I settled for the more familiar lok lak beef instead.
And then there was Bangkok, where I saw crocodile meat displayed in glass cases: grilled, barbecued, or even served as satay. While I didn’t try it, just witnessing the diversity of ingredients used in local cuisines made me appreciate how deeply food reflects geography, climate, and cultural evolution.
Not-to-Miss Food: Iconic Dishes That Define a Destination
When I travel, certain dishes have become non-negotiable. In Thailand, I make sure to slurp down a steaming bowl of tom yum wherever I go—the balance of sour, salty, and spicy is pure comfort. In Vietnam, a piping hot bowl of pho is my ritual, whether I’m in Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City. In Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, nasi goreng is the ultimate staple. They are simple, savory, and always satisfying, yet a must-try in food travel.
But beyond these classics, there are unforgettable feasts and delicacies that elevate food travel to an art form. In China, I savored juicy xiao long bao in Shanghai and carved into crispy Peking duck in Beijing. Both require precision, patience, and appreciation for centuries-old techniques. Then there’s the massive king chilli crab in Singapore, a dish I was willing to put my credit card on the table just to enjoy every bit of it. In India, the Sadya feast in Kerala was a revelation. It’s a banana-leaf spread of over 20 dishes, served during Onam, bursting with flavors from sambar to payasam.
Even desserts deserve a spotlight. Whether it’s South Korea’s tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) or Hong Kong’s egg waffles, or Jakarta’s es cendol, or the flaky egg tarts of Macau, every country has something sweet to say…and I’ve been listening closely.
Restaurants and Hotels: When Food Travel Meets Luxury
While street food offers authenticity, dining in restaurants, especially during business trips and sponsored travels, gives a different perspective on a destination’s culinary scene. During work-related visits to the United States, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing breakfast buffets filled with international favorites, from American pancakes to Indonesian nasi uduk.
In Singapore, I dined at Michelin-starred hawker stalls—proof that fine dining doesn’t need to come with white tablecloths. Yet, my food travel also allowed me to enjoy panoramic city views while savoring contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine at posh rooftop restaurants. In India, where we were hosted exclusively in Kerala, most of our accommodations were top-tier hotels that served lavish spreads of local specialties like appam with stew, puttu, and spicy fish curry.
Even in Bali and Thailand, where most of my stays have been at upscale resorts, the breakfast spreads and beach club restaurants often spotlighted regional flavors. They ranged from tropical fruits and bubur ayam in Bali to fragrant coconut-based dishes and pad thai served elegantly in Thailand.
These experiences reminded me that food travel can be luxurious without being pretentious, and that indulgence is part of the journey, too.
Food Travel: The Universal Language of Taste
Food has a unique power. It breaks barriers, builds bridges, and tells stories that words often fail to capture. Every time I travel, I don’t just collect souvenirs or photos; I collect memories of meals, sometimes shared with strangers who became friends, of flavors that lingered long after the last bite, and of cultures that revealed themselves one dish at a time. Another thing I’ve learned, don’t miss out on luxury; taste it every now and then when the opportunity presents itself.
From the spice-laden curries of Kerala to the umami-rich bowls of ramyeon in Seoul, my journey through food travel has shown me that no matter where we come from, we all gather around the table. And in that shared space, we find understanding, joy, and the true essence of every journey.
So, if you’re planning your next adventure or food travel, let your taste buds lead the way. Because the best way to know a place—really know it—is to eat like the locals do.
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