Close your eyes for a moment and picture yourself standing in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

The early morning mist is lifting, scooters weave past in every direction and the aroma of broth drifts through the air.

A woman ladles steaming pho into your bowl, scattering fresh herbs on top. You take a sip, and it’s delicate and rich - the flavour of generations past.

Culinary travel in Asia offers something special with every meal.

Each country, each city, even each street corner, offers something unique.

In Bangkok, the evening markets come alive with sizzling woks, skewers of smoky satay and bowls of fragrant green curry. The energy is electric.

You find yourself perched on a plastic stool, elbow to elbow with locals, grinning as the spice makes your eyes water.

In Cambodia, food takes on another rhythm. Imagine sitting by the riverside in Phnom Penh as the sun sets, the scent of lemongrass and galangal rising from a bowl of Amok, Cambodia’s signature fish curry, steamed in banana leaf.

It’s gentle yet bold, the kind of dish that lingers on your palate and in your memory.

Further north in Siem Reap, you might wander through a night market, where everything from crispy fried tarantulas to sweet coconut pancakes tempt the curious traveller.

Then there’s Japan’s Osaka, where the fun of eating is as much part of the experience as the food itself.

You watch a vendor expertly flip Takoyaki on a hot griddle, the golden spheres hiding tender octopus inside.

A few steps away, an Okonomiyaki pancake, layered with cabbage and pork, and drizzled with tangy sauce, is slid onto your plate. It’s hearty, messy, and utterly unforgettable.

Not every meal needs to be grand.

Sometimes the most meaningful ones are simple: dim sum shared with new friends in Hong Kong, naan pulled straight from the tandoor in Delhi or bibimbap stirred together in a bustling Korean kitchen.

The act of eating here is communal, warm, and deeply connected to culture.

Food has the power to transport us, to slow us down, to connect us with people we may never otherwise meet. Travelling through Asia is about seeing new places, but it is also about tasting them, one dish at a time.

If we have made your mouth water, then you may be keen on Travel Focus Group’s women’s tour to Vietnam and Cambodia departing in March, where food plays a starring role. Otherwise, there are plenty of other ways we can help you taste Asia. Call the team on 02 4209 2044 to start planning.

Please note - this is paid content