If there’s anything that makes travelling somewhere new or familiar even better, it’s food. From gourmet to street food, quaint cafes and popular hotspots, what better way to eat your way through a city than at a food fair.
Here are some of the unmissable food events around the Asia Pacific to round up your 2019:
#1 World Gourmet Festival Bangkok
What: Bangkok’s annual culinary spectacle. For one whole week, sixteen international chefs from all over the world will gather under one roof. The lineup holds no less than thirteen Michelin stars between them. Each chef will host two dinners and will showcase their mastery through a variety of cooking displays and special events.
Also, for the first time this year, the very best of Bangkok’s street food vendors have been selected to offer their signature dishes as well.
Where: Anantara Siam Bangkok
When: 2 to 8 September
How much: Each event, dinner, and masterclass is priced differently. Reservations are necessary and detailed information can be found here.
What we’re excited for: We can’t decide between the Street-food Experience at the Parichart open-air garden courtyard or, the exclusive World Gourmet Brunch with free-flowing alcohol.
#2 Sydney Night Noodle Markets
What: Good Food Month’s most popular event is a bona fide melting pot of the very best of Asian street food set amidst live music, DJs, and an unmistakable cityscape. Sydney Night Noodle Markets is one straight week of noodles, dumplings, burgers, and sweet treats. Pack your stretchy pants as the lineup has thirty-two of the very best hawker-style stalls to eat through.
Where: Hyde Park, Sydney
When: 11 to 18 October
How much: Entry is free but do note that the markets are cash-free and that all major cards are accepted.
What we’re excited for: Hoy Pinoy may be really fun to say, but we’re particularly excited for festival regular Gelato Messina for their whimsical concoctions.
Read also: The 15 best places to find Hong Kong’s best mooncakes in 2019
#3 Japan’s Fisherman’s Festival
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What: Japan’s largest fish festival! Assisted by the National Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the Sakana & Japan Project will gather more than eighty vendors together. This large-scale food event celebrates the very best seafood from all over Japan. Besides local treats such as deep-sea tempura and takoyaki, there will also be international fare available. Paella and sushi anyone?
Where: Hibiya Park, Tokyo
When: 14 to 17 November
How much: Admission is free, but we’d be wary of our eyes being bigger than our stomachs.
What we’re excited for: Sea urchin. No, salmon roe. Oysters. How about all the sashimi, please.
#4 Hong Kong Food Festival
What: The 17th edition of Hong Kong’s famous food festival chock full of local and international snacks, and food products. This five-day event features over 1,200 booths (yes, you read that right). This massive production is split into nine themes offering a wide variety of food and drink.
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, Hall 3
When: 25 to 29 December
How much: HK$20 per person but it’s free for children up to 3 years and seniors aged 65 and above. There’s also a special Morning Admission Ticket for 25 December for HK$10.
What we’re excited for: Hong Kong is the foodies paradise. We’re excited about everything and a tad overwhelmed.
How about a villa to recuperate?
