Top Three in Asia, Best Food
- Camlo
- Aug 10, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1, 2018
1. Japan
Japan has so many different dishes to choose from. They can be authentic to the area in Japan which brings out the traditional techniques and dishes. You can taste the perfection in the flavors that over 500 hundred years of practice and tradition creates. There is a reason you can find a Japanese restaurant in every corner of the United States.
What really takes you back is the freshness and the amount of respect the chief will take with the even the smallest of items. I also tried many new dishes here that wouldn’t be found on a menu back Stateside. Also almost every country we visited took a traditional Japanese dish and tried a different approach with it. That tells you the influence and strength of this cuisine.
Some of the dishes we had were of course the Ramen, but the broth was something special. Sushi was fresh and never had that fishy smell. Okonomiyaki is a egg and octopus pancake that is usually made on a teppanyaki grill in front of you. The curry can be found every where and on many types of meats the flavor is deep and meaty with choice of spice level. You can find waygu on a stick at any cart and is always supple. Red bean pastries are just some of the deserts you experience but there are many different dishes. A favorite of ours is the celebration stew of sukiyaki that is a more like a hot pot style. Of course yakitori which can be any thing grilled on a stick but can be cheap or expensive.
2. Philippines
I knew that I liked Pinoy food but this was a drastic surprise. At home when you get food from friendly Filipinos you usually get the lumpia or the pancit. What I didn’t know was how delicious so many different dishes I never tried were. If you are someone looking to stay on a diet this isn’t the place. That’s because the foods don’t try to waste anytime holding back the fats and richness. One of the favorite dishes was the crab fat rice. You heard that right! Tastes like a crab leg but with in a bowl of fried rice. One of the most fun places we stopped was oddly Mc Donalds because they had gravy pumps so you can turn anything into a gravy pit. This tells you the attitude towards food here, don't mess around!!!
Also in the PI you have access to almost any type of food around the world so you don’t miss home like other places, which gives it a good balance to experience the local cuisine. Some more dishes would incorporate seafood almost like a Mexican cerviche (kinilaw) where they use cocnut milk. Speaking of coconuts they might have been the most amazing and sweet from all the countries. Some of the meats like chicken inasal could measure up to any barbecue that I’ve been to. So if you come to this hospitable country there is no way you will miss any anything. I haven’t even spoke about the way they use pork. Seems like this country has had techniques with the pig and pork belly that has being going on for generations. That's why Lechon (Roasted pig) is a staple to any Filipino cuisine. Lastly, there is a desert called halo-halo basically means mix mix which is a combination of corn, evaporated milk, shaved ice, gelatin, fruits. They can use Ube which is a purple yam in many dishes besides an ice cream flavor in this Halo-halo. If you have the pleasure of going to the Philippines be prepared to eat.
3. Korea
Korea could be tops on this strong list just because of the style of dinning alone. We all have tried this authentic style where you have a griddle in front of you. While the waiter gives finely trimmed pieces of meat and you cook it yourself. When I ate here it wasn't typically high end cuts of beef. They really enjoy parts would normally toss like stomach or intestines. Also there is the options to cook it over coals which brought out flavors in the natural flavors in pork which was the most popular meat. In Korea I didn’t know there are so many dishes that are shared in the family manner. Everyone shares what is given to the table.
You have the chicken dishes, soups, and rice dishes in this fashion. Speaking about soups style dishes that turned out to be my favorite. Guk usually meant if it was a water based soup that utilized fresh veggies. This is different to tang that is bone broth that could be served cold or has a large soup but usually trying to bring the meat flavors out. Jiggae is stewed which means slow cooked that could be meat or tofu usually served boiling. Lastly, juk which is almost a porridge. In Korea our favorite dishes were the most unexpected and of course the food stalls, they had amazing products there like egg buns or sugar stuffed pancakes. There are the rice cake dishes (tteokbokki) that are served spicy, boiled, fried with cheese.
We haven’t gotten to the rice bowls/rolls, or the fried chicken. This all makes Korea easily interchangeable as the top place, matters to preference. I'm more of a flavor fat bomb person and in Korean food there's more appreciation of natural flavors given through techniques since salt is rarely used. We spent the most time here and miss all the little dishes we were able to get. I grew to have a large admiration for the food. The way they approach these dishes shows the variations and uniqueness of the Korean cuisine which is refreshing, balanced, and wonderful.
Biggest food Surprises:
Thai not the top
You always hear that Thailand has the top food in the region. If that region is Southeast Asia you have an argument. I was expecting a little more from Thailand especially after visiting the top three on this list. I was pleasantly surprised dishes with the use of noddles and many ways. Thailand does the things you know, love, and they do it very good! The Curry’s, Pad thai, noodle dishes. Are all really good, but that is really what you are getting in maybe diverse mixes. What type really do good at is making fruit smoothies and making sure the food is accessible to you. I’m not saying that Thai food isn’t good, but that I was expecting a bit more they are tier two in my opinion.
Malaysia almost on the top list
When you think Malaysia, I just didn’t have any expectations to the food. What we found is a diverse infusion of cultures and the food comes out to be just incredible. Since there is a strong Indian influence in Malaysia which can be enjoyed in the many ‘cafes’. Malaysian food brings out really strong flavors from the spices you get in the masala’s and currys. Also they have there own special dishes that have some fish elements like laksa. With the Chinese touch we enjoy great dimsum and bbg pork or noodles. I would go back just for the food alone since Malay food touches on many authentic dishes but with its own Malaysian flare.
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