Travel broadens your perspective and gives you opportunities to discover new cultures and ways of life. On your next trip, we highly recommend trying out local cuisine for deeper insights into the people and culture of a new place.
One of the best ways to appreciate a region’s diverse cuisine is to skip the touristy restaurants and opt for experiences instead. Our bespoke food tours aim to do just that. Whether you’re seeking a cooking class by experienced home chefs, a walk in the local market or a farm tour in the countryside, our experts will curate a delicious food tour for you.
To whet your appetite, we’ve listed out some of our favourite food tours from across the world!
Discover the rich flavours in Malaysia
Malaysian food showcases the melting pot of cultures that make up the country and is largely influenced by the three ethnic groups found here – Malay, Chinese and Indian. Whether it’s the classic nasi lemak, comprising coconut rice, prawn sambal and peanuts, the creamy laksa or slow-cooked beef rendang, you’ll find that the food here is packed with flavours and spices.
When in Kuala Lumpur, don’t miss going on a food walk to sample some of the region’s culinary highlights. Start at Bukit Bintang and soak up its vibrant nightlife. Bite into siew bao (barbecued roasted chicken buns) and chicken curry puff at some of the restaurants. At Jalan Alor, eat at a mamak, a local restaurant. Try a paper dosa (a crisp thin rice flour crepe) with sides of curry or coconut chutney, or a roti canai, a light flatbread. Don’t forget dessert! Try a deep fried banana dish called pisang goreng and colourful shaved ice known as ais kacang. Wash it all down with teh tarik or pulled tea, the national drink of Malaysia.
Sample fresh and hearty Vietnamese food
Vietnamese food is fresh, fragrant and filled with seasonal produce and herbs. Eat your way through Vietnam as you try the popular bun cha of Hanoi, the seafood rich cuisine of the Mekong Delta region or the beef pho of Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam was a former French colony and you can see traces of this influence in its cuisine. The banh mi, for instance, resembles a French baguette, spilt sideways and filled with savoury and flavourful ingredients. Coffee, too, was introduced in Vietnam by the French and there is a vibrant coffee culture in the country today. Visit the many coffee houses to take in the sheer variety on offer – from egg coffee and coffee smoothies to ce pha saigon, the coffee popular in the south, and ce phe hanoi, the thick and strong coffee in the north.
If you find yourself in Hue, the former Imperial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, go on a food tour to savour the town’s many specialty dishes. Begin with the classics, as you learn to prepare banh nam (flat rice dumplings) by hand. Witness a beautiful sunset at Perfume River before stopping at a bustling eatery for some typical Vietnamese delights, such as barbecued skewers and savoury pancakes. Enjoy freshly prepared seafood, using catch from the East Vietnam Sea. Along the way, gain insight into how the balance of spicy, sour, bitter, salty, and sweet is an important aspect of the local cuisine.
Learn the art of cooking Mexican food
Mexican food is characterised by its liberal use of chillies, both fresh and dry, and the country produces a wide variety. A visit to the market of Mercado de Jamaica in Mexico City is a good way to see and learn about the different types of chillies available in the country such as ancho, poblano and pasilla.
No food tour around Mexico is complete without a visit to its culinary capital, Oaxaca. Its cuisine relies heavily on beans, corn, chillies and cheese and is influenced by indigenous communities that have lived here for centuries. Take a cooking class while here, and visit a local market. Try your hand at grinding spices with a stone mortar and pestle and learn to make tortillas and quesadillas from scratch. You will also char chilli peppers directly on the flame as you make a mole, a soup, salsa and dessert. Sample some excellent mezcal while you enjoy the meal you helped prepare.
Speaking of mezcal, Oaxaca is where a large variety of this alcoholic beverage made from agave is produced. Go on tasting sessions and distillery tours. You could also head to Tequila Country in the state of Jalisco and pay a visit to the town of Tequila, an hour north of Guadalajara. Here you can see the blue agave plants grow, stay in a tequila factory and learn how the popular liquor is produced.
Savour a taste of India
India boasts an incredible variety and diversity of cuisines. From the north to the south and east to west, each state has its own distinct dishes based on local ingredients, traditions, cultural influences and ways of cooking. If you find yourself in the northernmost state of Kashmir, dig into a wazwan, a multi-course meal featuring hearty meat-based dishes. In Kerala, in south India, relish seafood dishes that feature coconut, curry leaves and a host of spices. The options are endless and while it is impossible to taste all the different dishes in the country, food tours offer a glimpse into its fascinating culinary landscape.
If you’re in Mumbai, go on a guided walk to sample what the city has to offer. Wander through the vibrant stalls of Girgaon Chowpatty, set against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Enjoy mouth-watering vegetarian treats including pav bhaji (toasted bread with a mashed vegetable curry), kulfi (frozen milk dessert) and pani puri (thin, puffed dough balls with a filling and chutney). Sip tea in a famous Irani café and don’t miss trying the famous vada pav (deep fried potato dumpling sandwiched within a bun).
Explore Brazil’s diverse cuisine
From hearty stews and cheese breads to tropical fruits and chocolate treats, Brazilian cuisine includes a wide variety of dishes. Fruits from the Amazon, rice from the fields, fresh seafood from the coast – everything finds a place in its cuisine.
Take a tour of a coffee plantation. After all, the country produces more than a third of the world’s coffee. On a gastronomic city tour of Rio de Janeiro, bite into baked cheese bread, known as Pão de queijo, tuck into seafood stews and taste Brigadeiros, the country’s famous chocolate truffles.
Bask in the lively bar culture in cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. From road side bars, known as botecos, and microbreweries to samba clubs and trendy concept bars, you can discover the region’s most cutting-edge food and drink scene. Try locally brewed artisanal beers and caipirinhas. Sample the tangy batida fruit shots and cachaças. Pair your drinks with tasty bar snacks and fusion dishes by up-and-coming chefs.
Which of these foodie destinations appeal to you? If a culinary holiday is on your mind, speak to our destination specialists about including a bespoke food tour into your itinerary. Our travel experts can share their insider tips and suggestions with you, based on your preferences, and curate your most memorable trip yet!
Check out these sample itineraries
Argentina Food Tour
Food Tour Rio De Janeiro
Luxury Golden Triangle India Tour
Brazil inspiration
For more exciting destination ideas, browse these Brazil pages and start planning your next adventure.
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