Eating in Asia is like a multi-orgasm to the taste buds – your senses assaulted by a whole new world of powerful aroma and flavour. Over hundreds of different types of spices and sauces give Asian cuisine that unique taste that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It might pose as a challenge to many travellers who have yet to subdue to Asia’s culinary quirks. With some tips, eating in Asia can be a true adventurous way of discovering the East. But be warned, it’s not for the faint-hearted…
1. Visit the locals’ favourite haunts
An eatery crowded with locals definitely looks more promising than one swarmed with lobster-tanned tourists. Don’t rely on Lonely Planet; speak to the locals about their favourite haunts! Hongkong’s Dai pai dong (cooked-food stalls) hidden in dark alleys are frequented by the locals and offer authentic Gong Zai Mee (typical Hongkong noodles).
2. Price does not necessarily mean quality
The budget stalls lining the streets of Ben Thanh Market in Saigon offer juicier Cha Basa (fried frog legs)
than the upmarket restaurants, and they cost a quarter of the price! If food-poisoning is deterring you fro
m these stalls, then work hard on strengthening your stomach, because Asian food isn’t for the lily-livered.
3. Street hawkers – an authentic touch
Whether it’s the Filipino Isaw Manok (grilled chicken intestines on a skewer), Thai Kai Mot Phat (stir-frie
d ant eggs), or the infamous Hongkong Chau taufu (stinky fermented tofu), they all gained fame for a good reason. So give it a go, and find out the reason for yourself!
4. Curiosity does not kill the cat
So you’re in an eatery, wondering what to order… quit staring at people around you! It never hurts to be friendly and the locals are more than happy to talk about their local delicacies. Pick up some useful local language, like ‘Oishi neh?’ (Japanese- tastes good?), and you’ll know what’s good to order and what’s not!
5. Stop ordering the same dish
Despite your love affair with the Indonesian quintessential dish, Satay (barbequed meat on skewers served with peanut sauce), there are tons of other mouth-watering dishes that are worth a go — try the Redang Daging (beef simmered in spicy coconut milk) or Tauhu Telok ( fried tofu topped with sweet black sauce and beansprouts) the next time you’re in Indonesia!
6. Don’t let chilli get in your way
Even if you’re not a fan of spicy food, don’t give up on the piquant Korean Kimchi Chigae (spicy cabbage and
pork belly soup); just ask for it with less chilli, you’ll know what you have been missing out on! If the Taiwanese Mala Huoguo (spicy and sour soup in a hotpot) is too much for you to handle, try the hotpot with ginger chicken soup instead – you get to taste the famous local delicacy without the numb lips!
7. Eat like the locals
Observe how everyone eats around you, if slurping cold Japanese soba noodles loudly, and eating Indian Briyani rice with your hands is what it takes to savour the real taste of it, then do the same! You can’t go wrong with years of traditions!
8. Visit the wet markets
You’ve never had a real taste of a country’s culinary scene without a tour of the typical Asian Pat Sat (wet markets) – watch the fishmongers scale some fresh tuna, or chop off the heads of live frogs. Thousands of sauces and chilli, scorpion soaked in whiskey, and many other odd products make the market a must-see!
9. Try vegetarian food in the Temples
Several monasteries and temples allow you to share authentic vegetarian food with the monks – you don’t have to be a Buddhist or Hindu, but respectful behaviour is expected from you. The Wenshu temple in Sichuan, China and the SriHarmandir Sahib (The GoldenTemple) in Amritsar, India provide delectable vegetarian food.
10. Leave the best for the last – desserts and fruits
Asian desserts and fruits are as colourful and extraordinary as they can get- rambutan, longan and dragonfruit with their distinct taste. Never judge a durian by its prickly and obscured appearance; they don’t
name it ‘the King of Fruits’ for nothing! The Singaporean Ice Kachang (crushed ice with syrup and fruits) and Burmese Hpa Lu Da (Grass jelly with sago) can also cool you down in that sizzling tropical heat!
No matter what sort of eater you are, you are spoiled for choice in Asia – the healthy dieter will love fresh and raw Sashimi topped with zingy wasabi, the heavy eater might go for the Singaporean laksa (coconut curry noodles soaked with semi-raw cockles), while the adventurous ones with a strong tongue can have their share of the Thai tom-yam soup that will definitely give them a refreshed spiced-up zest.
