The countries of Asia offer the visitor an assault on the senses in the most delightful way. This is a continent where hi-tech modern cities sit alongside ancient historical buildings and rich cultural heritage. The food of Asia is always exciting – so many ingredients and so many new flavours to enjoy. Each country – and indeed regions within each country – have so many delicious dishes to offer the hungry traveller.
Bhutan
- A Guide To The Bhutan Tiger’s Nest TrekA popular thing to do in the Himalayan kingdom is a Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Trek, to see the dramatic monastery clinging dramatically to a mountain cliffside. Continue reading
- A Visit to Bhutan’s Punakha DzongPunakha Dzong in Bhutan is of huge historic and cultural importance to the Bhutanese people. It holds a festival each year and also a celebration for the king’s birthday Continue reading
- Bhutan Chilli CheeseThe tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan has a national dish that is unexpected and delicious. And really, really spicy: Bhutan chilli cheese. Continue reading
Cambodia
- Mekong MeanderingsThe Mekong river has so many things to see – the beautiful landscapes it has shaped, the wildlife that live in and around it, and the bountiful food it supplies Continue reading
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Other TemplesThe remarkable temples of Angkor Wat date back several centuries to the Khmer empire. Here’s our guide to visiting Angkor Wat. Continue reading
- Kratie Dolphins in CambodiaKratie (pronounced Kra-cheh) is a laid back town in Northern Cambodia, right on the mighty Mekong river. It’s a small town that you can easily walk around and has some sights to enjoy. The most notable are the very rare freshwater Kratie dolphins, a small group of which live in the river close to the … Continue reading
China
- Happy New Year of the RabbitYear of the Rabbit begins 22nd January 2023 and celebrations will ensue. Like many festivals all over the world, such as Diwali, Eid and Easter, Chinese New Year is derived from the lunar calendar and is celebrated with food, family reunions and festivities. The animals associated with the years are based upon the Chinese horoscope. All twelve signs of … Continue reading
- Temple of Heaven, BeijingThe Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing, comprising beautiful buildings set inside a lovely park. Continue reading
- Chinese Spring Festival – Happy New Year!Lunar New Year is the most important date in the Chinese calendar. It is celebrated not only in China but many other South East Asian countries. Although it is usually known as Chinese New Year in Western countries it is more commonly known as Chinese Spring Festival at home. Like many festivals all over the … Continue reading
- RECIPE: Baked Sea Bass in ParchmentRecipe: Baked Sea Bass with Ginger, Garlic and Spring Onion, a dish traditionally served at Chinese Spring Festival – New Year. Continue reading
- Film Review: The God of Cookery (食神 1996)God of Cookery Director: Stephen Chow Sing Chi (周星馳) Country: Hong Kong Cuisine: Chinese / Cantonese Film Rating 6/10Foodie Rating 5/10 The world of food is tough in more ways than one. The bourgeois rich insist on the distinctive, the unique and the best and are willing to pay for it, whilst the poor survive … Continue reading
India
- RECIPE: Vegetable Biryani Tamil Nadu StyleA vegetable biryani from Tamil Nadu is a hearty and tasty dish that can accompany a curry or be eaten as a main course. Here’s a delicious recipe. Continue reading
- RECIPE: Biryani Raita RecipeRaita is a yoghurt based accompaniment to many Indian recipes. This biryani raita recipe is both easy to make, incredibly versatile and really delicious. Continue reading
- The Leh to Manali HighwayA three day journey on the Leh to Manali highway to travel from Ladakh to Himachal Pradesh in India with an unconventional river crossing. Continue reading
- Places to Visit in Munnar, KeralaThe South Indian state of Kerala offers lots of wildlife, culture and food. Here are some places to visit in Munnar, a former hill station. Continue reading
- World’s Best Breakfasts -Breakfast of Champions!Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Here are some of the world’s best breakfasts. And why it’s often okay to go off-menu. Continue reading
Japan
- Recipe: Simmered Shiitake MushroomsShiitake mushrooms are packed with umami flavour. Here’s our delicious recipe for Japanese simmered shiitake mushrooms, which make an amazing side dish. Continue reading
- How to Use Public Transport in JapanJapan is a brilliant country to travel through, especially if you are using its fantastic public transport system. Here are some travelling in Japan tips. Continue reading
- RECIPE Oyakodon DonburiOyakodon – literally ‘mother and child’ – is a hug in a bowl. Simmered chicken and egg served over rice, here’s our recipe for oyakodon. Continue reading
- Planning a Trip to JapanJapan is a country that is both fascinating and fun – where hi-tech cities contrast with a rich history. Here’s our guide to planning a trip to Japan. Continue reading
- The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko HouseDirector: Koreeda Hirokazu(是枝 裕和) From the manga by Aiko Koyama Starring: Nana Mori,Natsuki Deguchi,Aju Makita Cuisine: Japanese IMDB Link Netflix Link Country (of film origin): Japan TV Rating: 9/10 Foodie Rating: 9/10 Review: Cuisine and culture combine in an emotional and educational entertainment about Kyoto life, friends, futures and food. There’s a line in anarchic … Continue reading
- Setsubun Food – Bean Throwing DaySetsubun is on the 3rd February. It is a bean throwing celebration festival marking the coming of spring. It also has a setsubun food tradition. Continue reading
- The Gassho Farmhouses of Rural JapanStaying in a gassho farmhouse in rural Japan offers a fantastic glimpse into traditional life in the Japanese countryside. Continue reading
- Recipe: Japanese Simmered Pork Belly – Buta no KakuniButa no kakuni is a rich, indulgent dish made from pork belly – it’s sweet, sticky and scrumptious. Here’s our Japanese simmered pork belly recipe. Continue reading
- RECIPE: How to Make UmeboshiHave you tried umeboshi – Japanese pickled plums? You can make them at home. Continue reading
- Osaka Restaurants Japan – Kuidaore on DotonboriLooking for Osaka restaurants, Japan? The Dotonburi area of the city has a plethora of amazing eateries offering local specialities. Continue reading
- RECIPE: Japanese Fried Chicken KaraageJapanese fried chicken – karaage – is a real treat. It’s delicious and simple to make. Here’s our recipe for the very best JFC. Continue reading
Korea
- An Essential 2 day Gyeongju ItineraryGyeongju in South Korea is often described as a ‘museum without walls.’ It is a city with an enormously rich history. Here’s our 2 day Gyeongju itinerary. Continue reading
- A Korean Table Setting – Eating Out in KoreaKorean food is amongst the best in the world, so good UNESCO think so too! Here’s our guide to essential dishes and the Korean table setting and etiquette. Continue reading
- How To Get From Seoul To Gyeongju by TrainGyeongju is a treasure trove of historic buildings and artefacts. Often described as a museum without walls. Here’s how to get from Seoul to Gyeongju. Continue reading
- RECIPE: How To Make KimchiKimchi is a fundamental part of society in Korea. It is Korea’s national dish and is usually eaten with most meals there. In fact, kimchi making has been assigned as a UNESCO cultural heritage and even has its own day – 22nd November. Kimchi is great fun to make and we have a recipe for … Continue reading
- Noodle Review: Nong Shim Kimchi Ramyun Noodle SoupBrand: Nong Shim Flavour: Kimchi Ramyun Noodle SoupType: InstantNo. Of sachets: 2 – Dried Vegetables and soup sachet in red packetWeight: 120gCountry: Korea You may, or may not, know about a particular instant sachet of foodie fun, the Nong Shim Kimchi Noodle Soup set. But, fellow ramentics, the difference lies with the name, for the … Continue reading
Laos
- Mekong MeanderingsThe Mekong river has so many things to see – the beautiful landscapes it has shaped, the wildlife that live in and around it, and the bountiful food it supplies Continue reading
- RECIPE: How To Make Lao LarbLao larb, also known as moo larb, is the perfect dish for a hot summer’s day. It’s incredibly easy to make and really refreshing. It’s kind of a meat salad which hails from South East Asia; we first tried it in Lao , where it holds the status of national dish, but we have also eaten it … Continue reading
- Luang Prabang Lao PDR (Please Don’t Rush)Luang Prabang Lao is the country’s former capital. One of the best restaurants in the city for Lao specialities is Tamarind restaurant. Continue reading
- Ultimate Laos Coffee In VientianeWhen we visited a barista in Vientiane we didn’t have high expectations. But we ended up being pleasantly surprised by Laos coffee. Continue reading
Mongolia
- Showers? Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Showers… Adventures in Washing in MongoliaMongolia is the place to have adventures: to go far, far off the beaten track, see marvellous landscapes, meet wonderful people and to experience a culture very different to our own. But travelling through … Continue reading
- Staying With Nomads In The Gobi Desert in MongoliaThere are some 165,000 nomadic families living and working in Mongolia. We stayed with a family in their ger in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. Continue reading
- A Mongolian Yurt – Anatomy of a GerA ger (known in Western countries as a Mongolian yurt) is a traditional round tent used as a dwelling throughout Mongolia. Continue reading
Nepal
- Happy, Happy Holi in NepalThe festival of colour, Holi, is one of the most delightful and happy festivals. Continue reading
- Places To Visit In Chitwan, NepalCooking Tharu Chitwan Nepal The Chitwan area of Nepal is a national park that is located around 100km from Kathmandu. It takes around two to four hours to travel there from the capital (sometimes much longer if the roads are busy – our return journey took 10 hours!) depending on the route. But it’s a … Continue reading
- World’s Best Breakfasts -Breakfast of Champions!Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Here are some of the world’s best breakfasts. And why it’s often okay to go off-menu. Continue reading
- Nepal Momo FOMONepal momos are delightful dumplings. After spending some time in the country we discovered we had been eating them wrong! Continue reading
Thailand
- A Chiang Rai Temple and A Country RetreatIn a visit of contrasts, northern Thailand offered us the Chiang Rai temple and a laid-back exploration of the local countryside. Continue reading
- A Chiang Mai Tour in Northern ThailandChiang Mai in northern Thailand has so many things to see – both in and around the city. Continue reading
- RECIPE: How to Make Thai Green CurryHow to make Thai green curry – here’s a recipe for one of our favourites, a dish that is easy to make, filling and utterly delicious. Continue reading
- RECIPE: How To Make Lao LarbLao larb, also known as moo larb, is the perfect dish for a hot summer’s day. It’s incredibly easy to make and really refreshing. It’s kind of a meat salad which hails from South East Asia; we first tried it in Lao , where it holds the status of national dish, but we have also eaten it … Continue reading
- Noodle Reviews: Myojo NoodlesReviews of Myojo noodles from Thailand Continue reading
Vietnam
- A One Day Hanoi ItineraryHanoi is an essential place to visit on a trip to Vietnam. It has a long history and many fascinating sights. Here are our suggestions for a one day Hanoi itinerary. Continue reading
- Mekong MeanderingsThe Mekong river has so many things to see – the beautiful landscapes it has shaped, the wildlife that live in and around it, and the bountiful food it supplies Continue reading
- Mekong Delta River Cruise in VietnamThree to four hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City, it is possible to undertake a Mekong Delta River Cruise in Vietnam. Continue reading
- RECIPE: How to Make Vietnamese Spring RollsHow to make Vietnamese Spring Rolls Summer Rolls Vietnamese cuisine is amongst the most delicious in the world. It is also amongst the prettiest. We have a Vietnamese spring roll recipe. While most people think of spring rolls as being deep-fried, gỏi cuốn are actually served cold – at room temperature. In Western countries they … Continue reading
- RECIPE: Vietnamese Pickled GarlicVietnamese pickled garlic adds a real zing to a variety of dishes. Here’s our recipe. Continue reading