Asia is renowned for its culinary prowess. Across the continent, a symphony of tastes play out daily, showcasing an array of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that vary from region to region. From the savory foods of Thailand to the intricate i creations of Japan, and the rich fresh flavours of Vietnam, there is a wealth of gastronomic experiences to explore. Additionally, the diverse climates and cultures of Asia contribute to the unique food offerings, including the fresh seafood of coastal regions and the hearty, comforting dishes of mountainous areas. So we’ve compiled a list of some of our current favorite food offerings over the next little while, celebrating the rich tapestry of Asian cuisine that continues to captivate and inspire food lovers around the world.
Sky-High Afternoon Tea In Chiang Mai
Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant, Mai Restaurant and Bar on the 21st floor, has launched a Thai-inspired afternoon tea for two that pays tribute to Chiang Mai’s Baan Tawai Wood Carving Village. The dining experience’s savory treats includes Spicy prawn salad, Kao Soi croquettes, and ‘Miang Kham’, comprising betel leaf, caramelized filling, dried shrimps, coconut flakes, nuts and herbs. Black sesame scones with Chiang Mai mulberry jam, Thai tea macarons, fruit tartlets and mango ice pops are among the sweets. Inclusive of a selection of teas or coffee, the afternoon tea is presented in a vintage tea cabinet from Baan Tawai, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage of woodcraft. Priced at THB 999 net per set for two people, the afternoon tea is available daily from 2-4:30pm until September 30 this year. For more information and reservations, call +66 (0) 52 090 603 or email [email protected]
Burgers on the Beach in Cam Ranh
The Anam Cam Ranh’s casual dining hangout Beach Club overlooking Long Beach has introduced an irresistible dining experience that celebrates a quintessential comfort food, the humble burger. Held at the resort’s beach lawn every Monday from 12-3pm and priced at 380,000 VND per guest, Burger Day offers a choice of four burgers. The Wagyu beef burger comprises a Wagyu beef patty, cos lettuce, tomato, pickle and garlic mayo sauce, and the crispy chicken burger features deboned crispy chicken thigh, cos lettuce, tomato and thousand island sauce. The char siu banh mi is a Vietnamese baguette with pork meatloaf, grilled char siu, herbs, pickles and BBQ sauce. The char-grilled beef banh mi is also a Vietnamese baguette with char-grilled lemongrass and chili beef, coriander, pickles and beef jus. All burgers are accompanied with fries, a fruit bowl and either a soft drink or Saigon Beer. For more information, call +(84) 258 398 9499 or email [email protected]
Bangkok’s Home-Cooked Meals Served in Traditional ‘Pinto’ Lunch Boxes
Dominated by soaring windows giving way to spectacular views of Bangkok, INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s 31st floor all-day dining restaurant The Kites Eatery has unveiled a “Pinto Lunch Set” menu presented in traditional stacked round Thai lunch boxes called “pinto”. Offered daily from 12-3pm, the four-course set lunch celebrates authentic Thai home-cooked dishes, comprising a starter, main course, side dish and dessert. There are three different four-course sets to choose from, named “Pinto Bang Rak”, “Pinto Banglamphu” and “Pinto Sao Chingcha”, that feature the likes of “Gang Phed Ped” sous vide duck in red curry with seasonal fruit and basil, “Massaman Nuea” featuring slow-cooked beef with aromatic herbs, and “Kai Palo Khun Mae” egg and chicken cooked in sweet brown soup respectively, all served with “Khao Hom Mali” steamed jasmine rice. For more details and reservations, contact +66 (0) 2 340 5496 or [email protected]
“Restaurant Hopping” is a Thing in Vietnam
Situated on Vietnam’s scenic Cam Ranh peninsula, Alma has unveiled a “Restaurant Hopping” menu that takes guests on a dinner journey that samples highlights of the resort’s eclectic culinary landscape. The experience begins at beachfront restaurant Atlantis, with beef wrapped in betel leaves, grilled oysters with peanut and spring onion, jellyfish salad. Diners then move to Italian trattoria La Casa, savoring fettuccine with prawns and signature dish “Pizza La Casa”, followed by a dessert of Tiramisu and ice cream. Guests then enjoy an after-dinner cocktail of their choice at Alma Lounge. Priced at 420,000 VND per person. For further information or to make a booking, call +84 258 3991 666 or email [email protected]
A Symphony of the Sea Echoes Around Krabi
Ever since opening in 2020, Banyan Tree Krabi’s three “Bird’s Nest” tables have been favorites with hotel guests, passing tourists, and locals alike. Chef Tum has recently unveiled a new “By Land, By Sea” menu, inspired by the traditional Surf n’ Turf concept, with an emphasis on locally sourced seafood — a “Symphony of the Sea” — as he likes to call it. As an appetizer, the set menu offers Spicy Lemongrass Salad with Tiger Prawn Mousse, followed by Chef Tum’s latest creation, the Baked Lobster with Panang Curry Fruit Sauce, an aromatic but delicately light entrée. The Bird’s Nest tables — which sit perched on a craggy cliff and command spectacular views overlooking the Andaman Sea and the distant uninhabited islands of a national marine park — are situated al fresco outside Banyan Tree Krabi’s signature restaurant, Saffron, accessible by a short funicular ride to the peak of the resort.
Indulgent Dinner Amid Halong Bay’s Limestone Karsts
The five-star line behind Halong Bay’s most remarkable cruise experiences, Ambassador Cruise, offers a four-hour dinner cruise amid UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay’s limestone karst-studded waters. The ‘Ambassador Dinner Cruise’ is underpinned by premium dining and live entertainment. To a backdrop of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring sunset, guests indulge a delectable meal of Asian and European delicacies accompanied by a cabaret show, performances by Vietnamese singers and a live band. The dinner cruise is held on a 500-ton five-floor steel craft with a basement measuring 90 meters long, 16 meters wide and 19 meters high, making it the largest and most luxurious ship to ever ply Halong Bay’s waters with a total of 10,000sqm of lettable space. For more information, visit www.ambassadorcruise.com
Peel Back the Layers of Japan’s Vast Culinary Landscape
A hotel renowned for showcasing the best of Japanese hospitality is whetting appetites with the launch of its new gastronomic stay experience. For ‘The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy,’ Palace Hotel Tokyo has curated a selection of eating and drinking experiences designed to peel back the layers of Japan’s vast culinary landscape. The tailored glimpses of Tokyo’s multi-faceted dining scene include a scouring of the city for the best street-eats, ‘ramen hunting’ with an expert, bento-making with a popular television presenter, and an introduction to Japanese wines with one of the hotel’s seasoned sommeliers. To start, ‘The Best of Japan: The Art of Gastronomy’ stay package includes two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, a choice of a prix-fixe kaiseki lunch or dinner at the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant Wadakura, accompanied by a matcha tasting. Guests can then opt to enhance their stay with additional on-site or off-site experiences.
Discover Cambodia With Special Gastronomy Events in August
Accor hotels in Cambodia, including Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, have launched a month-long campaign spotlighting Khmer cuisine, heritage and hospitality. ‘Discover Cambodia’, which runs throughout August, will feature an array of memorable meals, extraordinary activities and more. Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh will host an exclusive Khmer dinner and dance performance at Le Phnom 1929 at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, in addition to a special cocktail menu inspired by famous Cambodian singers at the hotel’s iconic Elephant Bar. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap will offer an extraordinary ‘Golden Age Tasting Menu’ (priced at $60++ per person) from Aug. 1-10 at the Khmer fine dining restaurant 1932, as well as an exclusive Sunday Champagne Brunch on Aug. 4 (starting from $60++ per person) celebrating 1960s Cambodian pop music with the Khmer Magic Music Bus.
New Quarterly Dining Series in Vietnam’s Capital
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the iconic 123-year-old luxury hotel in Vietnam’s capital, has launched a new dining series that brings together Metropole’s award-winning culinary team with some of the best chefs from around the world. The quarterly ‘Rendez-vous’ series, hosted in the hotel’s modern French fine-dining restaurant Le Beaulieu, spotlights Michelin-star guest chefs working in tandem with Le Beaulieu’s Chef de Cuisine Charles Degrendele to produce one-of-a-kind gastronomic experiences. With his sustainable, innovative and simple approach, Chef Charles brings a fresh and sophisticated perspective to modern French cuisine. The series kicked off in May with two exclusive dinners featuring French Chef Arnaud Sauthier, who holds 1 Michelin star for his acclaimed Maison Dunand in Bangkok, and will continue with another special guest chef in September.
