Top 5 Favorite Foodie Finds in Southeast Asia

One of our favorite ways to travel is to taste our way through each destination, discovering local specialties and learning about different food traditions. Here in Southeast Asia, we enjoy a rich diversity of agricultural products and boast some of the world’s finest harvests. Nothing beats fresh, farm to table produce so here we have put together some of our favorite foodie experiences where you can get the best locally-made produce direct from the source.

1. Fruits of the Royal Project, Thailand

From strawberries to cabbages, peaches, plums and persimmons, the highlands of northern Thailand are filled with small community-run farms, fields and plantations. Since 1969, the Royal Project Foundation has been supporting hill tribe farmers through sustainable agricultural projects and Akorn guests can meet some of the farmers and taste their produce while exploring the sloping plains, creeks and mountain valleys on the outskirts of Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.

2. The Art of Lao Noodles

Whenever we are in Laos, we never miss an opportunity to stop by for a bowl of irresistible khao pun noodles. A staple of the local Lao diet, these long strands of soft, white noodles are made from fermented rice which is ground, mixed with water and shaped into thin, round strips. Experience the whole crop to bowl process with Akorn at a local farm in Luang Prabang where you can meet a local farmer, learn about rice harvesting and take part in making these fresh, authentic noodles which are served with bamboo shoots, herbs and a delicious hot broth.

3. Coffee Culture in Vietnam

Stronger, bolder and thicker than your regular brew, Vietnamese coffee is known for its deep, intense flavors. As the second-largest coffee growing nation in the world, Vietnam has a rich and robust coffee culture, from the highlands of Dalat in Central Vietnam where the beans are grown and harvested to artisanal roasters and chic coffee houses in downtown Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Uncover the story of coffee in Vietnam and find your favorite brew, whether it’s a local iced coffee served strong and sweet or perhaps an egg coffee, a Hanoian specialty where egg is used as a substitute for milk.

4. Cambodia’s Prized Pepper

Spicy with a hint of sweetness, Cambodia’s Kampot pepper is considered one of the world’s best peppercorns. Nestled in the foothills of the Elephant Mountains, Kampot’s soil is rich in quartz and, combined with the cool climate, is ideal for pepper cultivation. Traditional pepper growing wisdom was passed down from generation to generation since the 13th century but was almost lost during the time of the Khmer Rouge. Now thriving once again, we love to take a stroll through the scenic plantations to learn more about the unique flavor profile of the local peppercorns and of course, we can never say no to a succulent Kampot pepper crab which is a local specialty in the nearby town of Kep.

 5. Spices of Indonesia

The world’s largest producers of nutmeg, mace, cloves and a myriad of other spices can be found here in the stunning Maluku islands of East Indonesia. The native crops of this small archipelago were not grown in any other part of the world, sparking great interest from Europeans in the 16th century. Learn more about the history of the spice trade and explore cinnamon, coffee, cocoa and fruit plantations on a luxury yacht voyage amid these picture-perfect Indonesian islands.  

Source: Akorn