How to Eat Your Way Through Korea, Vietnam, Japan and Thailand
Embark on these tantalizing food tours around Asia and discover little-known gems as you dig into the heart of a city’s culinary landscape.
Korea: Spice and Everything Nice
Korean food may be traditionally made for sharing, but fear not, single travelers: O’ngo Food Communications has you covered. Their Night Dining Tour (US$88 ($682)) will take you on an adventure through Seoul’s thriving food scene.
Stroll through Gwangjang Street Market for finger-licking Korean snacks and feel your mouth water as you watch Korean ahjumma aunties dish up piping-hot cheap eats. Make sure you have a go at the crispy mung bean pancakes, one of the market’s signature dishes, made from ground mung bean with specks of kimchi. In a local barbecue house enjoy the view of your meat sizzling on the grill plates, alongside dozens of free-refill side dishes such as sautéed cucumber and potato with soy sauce. Last of all, savor the spicy-sweet combo of chewy ddeokbokki rice cakes to end the day on a high.
The tour starts at 6pm and lasts for three and a half hours, with four stops scheduled along the way. Non-alcoholic options are available, so kids are free to join; but if you want to embrace the full Korean dining experience, take advantage of traditional rice wine tastings at each stop along the way. ongofood.com
Vietnam: Streets of Saigon
What’s better than a guided tour that walks you through local foodies’ favorites? A guided tour where you don’t need to walk! Sit tight on a scooter as the English-speaking guides of Saigon Food Tour whiz you through the busy streets of Vietnam’s largest city.
Founded in 2014, Saigon Food Tour is getting rave reviews for the authentic taste of Vietnam it offers. There are three tour packages to choose from: Grab a cup of slow-drip Vietnamese coffee before shopping for exotic spices during the “Taste of the Morning” tour for US$48 ($372); or discover off-the-guidebook hidden gems as you chow on street food during the “Taste of the Night” tour, priced at US$60 ($465). A local dinner of seafood and street eats awaits you at the “Saigon by Night” tour, priced at US$48 ($372). Drink in a steaming bowl of pho brimming with barely-cooked beef, onions, mint and bean sprouts, and finish off the night with a sweet grass jelly and mixed fruits soup.