Top Five Foodie Destinations in Asia for 2025

Five Best Culinary Travel Spots in Asia for 2025

Asia continues to dominate global culinary travel, with food lovers increasingly choosing destinations that offer both traditional flavors and innovative dining experiences. According to digital travel platform Agoda’s search data from June to July 2025, the top five foodie destinations in Asia showcase a mix of heritage, street food culture, and unique gourmet delights.

5 Best Culinary Travel Spots in Asia

1. South Korea
South Korea’s vibrant culinary scene has been gaining worldwide attention, thanks in part to K-dramas and films that spotlight the country’s food culture. On Jeju Island, visitors can indulge in fresh seafood and sizzling heukdwaeji (black pork) on traditional Korean BBQ grills. Adventurous foodies often try ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crab) in coastal cities like Incheon, while comfort seekers can head to Gangneung for chodang sundubu, a warm soft tofu soup. Seoul’s Gwangjang Market remains a must-visit for street food favorites such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes).

2. Taiwan
Taiwan is celebrated as a culinary wonderland, blending ancient traditions with modern influences. Taipei’s bustling night markets, particularly Shilin and Raohe, serve everything from stinky tofu to the globally loved bubble tea. In Tainan, classic dishes like danzai noodles and milkfish soup highlight the island’s rich food heritage. Taiwan’s tea culture also thrives, with Alishan’s oolong tea cherished worldwide.

3. Thailand
Thailand continues to reign as a street food paradise. In Bangkok’s Yaowarat (Chinatown), dishes such as pad thai, crispy oyster omelets, and mango sticky rice draw massive crowds. Northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai is famous for its creamy khao soi (curry noodle soup), while the south offers khanom jeen, fermented rice noodles paired with spicy curries that are steadily gaining popularity among culinary explorers.

4. Japan
Japan remains a dream for gourmands, offering everything from izakaya bites to elaborate kaiseki dining. Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market is a hotspot for sushi and sashimi, while districts like Shinjuku and Ginza tempt visitors with takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). In Hokkaido’s Otaru, seafood lovers savor uni (sea urchin) and fresh donburi bowls. Meanwhile, Fukuoka’s Tenjin district is renowned for tonkotsu ramen, a pork-broth specialty beloved by ramen enthusiasts.

5. Malaysia
Malaysia’s cuisine reflects its multicultural heritage, with Kuala Lumpur offering endless variations of nasi lemak, from the classic bungkus version to fried chicken–topped ayam goreng berempah. Penang, a street food haven, is known for char kway teow, hokkien mee, and refreshing cendol desserts. In East Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu features hinava (a raw fish salad) and tuaran mee, while Kuching stands out with manok pansoh, a bamboo-cooked chicken dish rooted in Iban tradition.