10 Best Foods in Asia

Some of the best food I've had while traveling the world has been in Asia. Maybe that's why I always go back there. The food is delicious, cheap, flavorful- in one word: amazing. The next time you are traversing the lands of Asia, try out these amazing foods:








LWY, flickr
Pho (Vietnam)
The most famous and most popular dish of Vietnam, Pho (pronounced FA) is a noodle soup typically served with beef. This warm soup is then complimented by adding some basil and chili to suit your tastes. Though I don't really like Vietnam, if there were one Vietnamese offering I can never get enough of, it's Pho. It's simply delicious and extremely filling.

Loc Lac (Cambodia)
This traditional Cambodian dish can be found at any restaurant, though the best are usually served in the street markets. Loc Lac consists of fried cubed beef with fresh red onions served atop a bed of lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Some places include a side of rice. Make sure you get it with the pepper sauce.


avlxyz, flickr
Sushi (Japan)
Sushi has become a global phenomenon and is my favorite food by far. And, there's nothing like getting sushi from its source in Japan. The fish there is extremely fresh and much larger and thicker than is typically served in the United States. Outside of Japan, you will also find amazing sushi in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Thai pork noodle soup (Thailand)
This soup can only be found in Thailand, where it is a common street food. You'll find vendors on every street selling it. A noodle soup with cuts of red pork and wontons in it, it's the most delicious dish in Thailand, and the first dish I seek out when I visit. When you try it add a bit of fish sauce, some sugar and a dash of chili for flavor. This makes the best mix of sweet and sour.


Kent Wang, flickr
Pad Thai (Thailand)
Though it might be one of the most famous dishes in the world, good Pad Thai can be hard to find. If you want to enjoy this noodle, peanut and tofu dish at its best, get out of the restaurants and away from the tourist zones. The small markets hidden down narrow streets offer the best variations. If you are ever in Bangkok, a good Pad Thai vendor can be found on Sukhimvit Soi 33 next to the 7-11.


rjw1, flickr
Dim Sum (China/Hong Kong/Taiwan)
Dim sum is a Chinese tradition that involves a stream of small portions of steamed food or dumplings served in steamer baskets or on small plates. Usually, the food is cooked in dough, though there are many types of dim sum. The steamed dishes are brought over to your table and shared Tapas style. Dim Sum can be found across Asia in areas where Chinese cuisine is prominent, and most places that do dim sum serve only that.

Laksa (Malaysia)
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup found in Malaysia. It uses a coconut broth with lemongrass, galangal and Vietnamese mint and noodles-I enjoy the thicker variety. You will usually find it with tofu, beef or chicken. (Malaysia is a Muslim country so there isn't a lot of pork served.) I wouldn't recommend Laksa it if you don't like spicy food, since the dish has a burn factor thanks to lots of chili. However, most places will see you are a tourist and make it mild.


avlxyz, flickr
Mi Goreng (Indonesia)
Ubiquitous in Indonesia, Mi Goreng is sold everywhere from street stalls to high-end restaurants. Similar to Chinese Chow Main, it's a noodle dish made with fried noodles, garlic, onion, chili, vegetables, tomatoes, eggs and your choice of meat. Because of the sauce used, Mi Goreng is very sweet. Though it is typically a noodle dish, you can get a rice version as well, which I actually prefer.

The next time you're traveling through Asia, make sure to sample these delicious dishes. Often the signature dish of their country, they represent some of the best their countries have to offer. But more importantly, they'll leave your stomach full with some of the best tasting food you have ever had.