Picking the best city in Asia for food is like trying to decide your favourite star in the sky—utterly impossible and somewhat pointless given the sheer magnitude of choices. Asia isn’t just a continent; it’s a culinary universe, with dishes so diverse they could make your taste buds question their loyalty. Still, a few cities repeatedly steal the spotlight (or at least the stomachs) of travellers. Here are five destinations that consistently score high for food—though we’d recommend loosening your waistband before booking that flight.
Tokyo
Ah, Tokyo—a city that doesn’t just aim for culinary excellence but practically rewrites the rulebook. With more Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris (yes, Paris—take a moment to let that sink in), Tokyo is the undisputed queen of fine dining. Fancy a £200 plate of sushi prepared by a chef who’s been perfecting their art longer than you’ve been alive? Tokyo’s got you. But don’t worry, if your wallet doesn’t share your enthusiasm for extravagance, you can still feast like royalty on ramen, tempura, and izakaya delights. Pro tip: Tokyo’s convenience store snacks are better than some restaurants elsewhere in the world. Who knew a 7-Eleven could deliver gourmet vibes? The Japanese capital sports an array of spectacular sushi bars, tempura bistros, teppanyaki dinner shows and various unusual experience-themed restaurants containing everything from robots to sumo wrestlers.
Bangkok
Bangkok is regularly ranked the top foodie destination in Southeast Asia and one of the best cities for street food. From pad thai to moo grob, visitors can try a range of classic Thai foods cooked the traditional way. The street food is ideal for those on a shoestring budget – Khao San Road in Bangkok’s old town is one of the most famous hotspots. Those who are able to spend a little more can meanwhile choose from a range of Thai restaurants – including hip restaurant-bars that sell beer and cocktails and swanky high-rise restaurants with impressive views.
Seoul
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is renowned for its diverse food scene. Visitors can try many authentic Korean classics here such as bibimbap, tteokbokki and kimchi. There are also many restaurants that offer fusions with Western food and other cuisines from around the world. As with other Asian cities, stick to street food if you want to save money (but be wary that Seoul is a bit more expensive than Bangkok).
Taipei
Food is a central part of Taipei’s culture. Taiwanese dishes to try here range from beef noodle soup to scallion pancakes, and can be enjoyed at one of the city’s many bustling food markets or at one of the city’s many luxurious restaurants. Taipei is also known for some of its more unusual and notorious dishes such as stinky tofu, vermicelli and cooked crickets for those that are more daring. You can wash this down with some bubble tea.
Singapore
Due to long being a melting pot of cultures, Singapore has a very varied food scene. Its signature cuisine is a mix of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian influences and includes dishes like chilli crab and laksa. Singaporean cuisine can be quite fiery, but if you don’t have a high spice tolerance you’ll be able to enjoy top-class cuisines from around the world here from Italian to American. Beyond its food, Singapore is also renowned for its cocktails (including the Singapore Sling). This can be quite an expensive city to explore, but there are some cheaper places to eat and drink for those willing to venture off the beaten track.
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