The best foodie holidays in Asia created for you by Secret Retreats promise a sensory feast for the Seoul! From the buzzing street markets of Bangkok to the magnificent Michelin-starred restaurants of Tokyo, the world’s largest continent offers a more diverse and delectable range of culinary experiences than anywhere else on the planet.
Let’s take you on a whimsical gastronomic journey for a week and a day through some of the best foodie destinations in the world which include the most exotic and mouthwatering cities in Asia, crafting a travel itinerary that combines unmatched adventure
with gorgeous gourmet experiences.
Prepare to embark on a fanciful culinary adventure like no other as we board the Secret Retreats gourmet travel private jet and set the autopilot on a ‘first course’ for Bangkok!
MAP OF ASIA
Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand - The best vacation destinations for foodies
Our celebration of the best vacation destinations for foodies begins by disembarking for the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. Start your day with a visit to the Chatuchak Market, the world’s largest weekend market where 15,000 stalls are set up especially for you to sample a variety of tasty Thai street food. Savor iconic spicy treats such as spicy Tom Yum soup, and green papaya salad created using fresh ingredients, a profusion of local spices, and centuries-old traditional cooking techniques. Ensure you stay hungry on this leg of our foodie vacations though for the requisite trip in a tuktuk and an evening of fine dining sampling the very best of world cuisine. Complete the Bangkok experience by stopping off at a street side stall for a late-night nibble on the way back to your hotel. And your Bangkok hotel for the night, what could be a better than a riverside royal villa. Home of the Chakrabongse family, the present owner’s grandfather was brother to the 5th king of the Chakri Dynasty, Chakrabongse Villas is set on the banks of the River of Kings, the Chao Praya, that runs through the heart of Royal Bangkok. Located on Rattanakosin Island close to the Grand Palace, and Wat Po, and offering guests one of the best views in Bangkok from the hotel’s Must-Dine restaurant located directly opposite Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, guests at Chakrabongse Villas can dine on Royal Thai cuisine, where menus are crafted from the family’s own recipes straight from the palace, while drinking in the wonderful views and elegant surroundings of this warm and inviting family home.Day 2: Travel Destinations for Foodie's - Hanoi, Vietnam
Your next stop on our delectable travel destinations for foodie's extravaganza is Hanoi, the heart of Vietnamese cuisine. Begin your day with a bowl of steaming pho soup at a street stall – a delightfully delicate blend of rice noodle, beef or chicken, ginger, lemon and a gamut of aromatic spices. Stroll through the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter, where street food vendors tempt locals and visitors with the fabled Banh Mi baguette, Bun Cha grilled pork and noodles and Goi Cuon rice paper spring rolls before heading for the night markets of Hng Dao and Hng Giay for a glass of deliciously sweet and incredibly strong Vietnamese coffee.Day 3: Best Holiday Destinations for Foodies - Seoul, South Korea
Let’s hop on our private plane to Seoul where we will continue our best holiday destinations for foodies by beginning the day exploring the Gwangjang Market one of the oldest, largest, and busiest markets in South Korea, where we will dip into sumptuous samples of various types of the famous fermented food, Kimchi, and try local street food like the terrifically spicy, sticky, chewy Tteokbokki and ever popular Bindaetteok mung bean pancakes. In the evening, embrace the Korean barbecue culture by cooking your own meat at the table. Savor the smoky flavors of Galbi grilled-ribs and Bulgogi ‘fire-meat’ while trying not to set fire to the restaurant. After dining on Traditional South Korean cuisine, how about completing the experience with a stay in a traditional South Korean house. South Korea’s Hanok houses are a unique statement in architecture, an elegant composition of courtyard and garden spaces with rooms and houses positioned to enjoy the best views within the property, the goal being to create harmonious living spaces. Secret Retreats have a choice of South Korea travel itineraries that will share with you the best Hanok experiences available.Day 4: Foodie Vacation Packages - Tokyo, Japan
Having settled the bill, it’s back on the Secret Retreats foodie vacation packages Learjet for a stopover in a city that boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other in the world. Tokyo is the Mecca for sushi and sashimi seekers. We begin our day at the spectacular Tsukiji Fish Market (now Toyosu Fish Market), where you will sample a fresh seafood breakfast. For dinner on our Japan gourmet tour, we’ll hit the street scene in downtown Shibuya, where you will try takoyaki grilled octopi balls, okonomiyaki pancakes, and taiyaki fish-shaped cakes with red-bean filling. And we have the perfect place to stay in Tokyo to enjoy this amazing city’s foodie culture while living in a chic boutique hotel in the heart of Shibuya, The Trunk Hotel. A beautifully designed Tokyo boutique hotel that marries the traditional with the modern, art with comfort, and all in a warm and friendly service style – and close to museums, Meiji Shrine, Farmer’s Market, Harajuku’s famous ‘Cat Street’ and a great variety of cafés, restaurants and bars.Day 5: Vacation Ideas for Foodies from Hawker Centers to Fine Dining - Singapore
Setting down in Singapore you’ll be greeted with a melting pot of flavorsome food and countless vacation ideas for foodies. Start your day at a hawker market with Hainanese Chicken Rice served with cucumbers and chili sauce, Laksa soup noodles with coconut milk and fresh seafood, and stir-fried Char Kway Teow with fishcake, shrimp, or Chinese sausage. A taxi awaits to whisk us off to world-class fusion restaurants where Asian ingredients meet western gourmet cooking styles. Head to Labyrinth, a Michelin starred restaurant close to Marina Bay for a delicious and creative take on some of Singapore’s classic dishes such as Chef Han’s renowned Chilli Crab, Siew Yoke Rice and Kaya Rojak.Day 6: Royal Dining and Asia Gourmets in Jaipur - India
Fly to Jaipur on our fictitious flight for Asia gourmets, the heart of Rajasthan, India’s largest state. Experience the grandeur of Indian cuisine in the magnificent remnants of the Raj while nibbling on traditional dishes like the sweet and spicy dough balls and lentil-ghee curry of Dal Baati Churma and Laal Maas mutton curry with a side of bajra roti. Or discover the journey of tea travelling from Kolkata to Darjeeling and a wonderful family owned tea estate in the shadow of the Himalayas that has been growing and preparing the finest Darjeeling teas since 1859.Day 7: Best Travel Destinations for Foodies in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Next on our magical tour of the best travel destinations for foodies in Asia we’ll head to Chiang Mai for a taste of northern Thai cuisine. Suck up the sights and smells of the Rose of the North and slurp down dishes like Khao Soi curry, Sai Oua sausage, and sticky rice dipped in spicy green chili Nam Prik Noom all washed down with a chilled Chiang Mai craft beer or traditional herbal beverage. In the evening, we get to truly appreciate why Chiang Mai is up there as one of the very best destinations for foodies by discovering the secrets behind the complexity of Thai flavors with a Secret Retreats cooking class where we will learn how to prepare these delectable dishes ourselves. And then head for a wonderful night’s sleep in Chiang Mai’s iconic Rachamankha Hotel, a beautiful and elegant Lanna Thai courtyard boutique hotel in the heart of the city: Rachamankha also has an excellent restaurant where diners can discover and enjoy Thai, Lanna and Shan cuisine in the romantic setting of the hotel’s restaurant courtyard or the refined interior of the air-conditioned dining room.Day 8: A Sweet End to your Foodie Vacation in Bangkok
Your culinary journey and foodie vacation concludes where we began in Bangkok. After a hop down on our hypothetical helicopter from Chiang Mai, why not satisfy your sweet tooth with some tasty desserts? Indulge in Mango Sticky Rice and the famous coconut ice cream from street vendors. In the evening, unwind at the Supanniga Eating Room, where you can pick from a variety of traditional Thai dishes crafted from the restaurant owner’s own Grandmother’s recipes on our foodie vacation packages while enjoying picturesque views of the Chao Phraya River before a taxi through the city lights to Suvarnabhumi airport and your flight home.Bon appétit and safe travels!
Travel Asia with Secret Retreats
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