The best food tours in Asia

Vietnam’s coastal gem has an abundance of plant-based cuisine. Time Out Asia Contributor Lola Méndez loved Backstreet Academy’s Veg Street Food Tour in Hoi An (USD 34/person). A vegan food tour is the best way to become acquainted with local foods that are accidentally vegan and to find out where you can get plant-based versions of traditional meals. On the Hoi An tour, you’ll visit at least six places, including a tiny local Buddhist vegan buffet where you’ll try an assortment of dishes. You’ll sample cao lau, a pungent sweet, sour, savoury, bitter noodle dish with dense, chewy, round noodles served with soy meats.

This night food tour through Geylang is recommended by Time Out Contributor Michelle Yee for getting a taste of the culinary side of Singapore’s red-light district. Indie Singapore’s Hush: Night Food Tour through Geylang (SGD 95/person) takes guests on a foodie adventure through the district’s alleys, where hawker stands prepare Singaporean cuisine, including everything from frog porridge to dim sum. As you try local dishes at hole-in-the-wall stalls your guide will unveil the district’s fascinating history.

Time Out Contributor Hahna Yoon recommends Gastro Tour Seoul for a meaningful eating and drinking experience. The Suwon Gourmet Tour (USD 108/person) brings together culture and cuisine. Suwon City was built during the Joseon Dynasty (the most important era being under King Jongjo) and on the tour you’ll try the foods the royals once ate. You’ll also learn the 'cauldron whole chicken' story in Whole Chicken Alley. More gastro history continues as you taste your way through the Jidong Market and visit the UNESCO cultural heritage site, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

Food tours aren’t just for lunch and dinner — in Beijing, you can eat breakfast as the locals do by joining UnTour’s Hutong Breakfast Tour (RMB 395/person). Kick off your morning by exploring Beijing’s hutong alleyways, where you’ll taste over ten traditional vegetarian breakfast foods while eating at four-seater stops with some coffee breaks in between. Some highlights include silken tofu and Chinese-style crêpes (jianbing). Some of the bites have been enjoyed for breakfast for over 5,000 years. Take it from Time Out writers – it’s a great food tour for families.

Japan is known for beef and seafood, but plant-based eaters will be relieved to know they can easily find delicious local fare, especially in the capital city of Tokyo. With dozens of vegan restaurants there, it’s no surprise there’s also a dedicated vegan food tour. Time Out editors recommend Magical Trip, which offers a Night Food Tour in Shibuya (USD 120.23/person). In one of Tokyo’s coolest neighbourhoods, you’ll get to try everything from vegan sushi nigiri to noodle dishes to a decadent dessert. At the same time, you’ll learn about Japanese foods that are inherently plant-based. End the tour at a bar with a view over the iconic Shibuya crossing and make a toast with some sake.

Time Out Asia Contributor Lola Méndez loves to book free tours on Guru Walk, which offers A Culinary Expedition Through Spice Islands. Jakarta is one of her favourite cities for street food – just take the stalls lining Sabang Street. A local guide will help you navigate the city to try some of its most flavourful dishes catered to your preferences. Don’t miss trying fried tempeh, Javanese sambal, and Lola’s most beloved dessert klepon — a bite-sized ball of glutinous rice ball flavoured with pandan, filled with sugar, and coated in coconut. Bring cash to pay for the food and give your free tour guide a generous tip.

Experience how Bangkok comes to life at night on the Bangkok Midnight Food Tour (THB 2500/person) – but don’t fret, it starts at 7 p.m. As you zip around Thailand’s capital city in a traditional tuk-tuk, you’ll taste over ten dishes from street food stalls in Chinatown and other iconic neighbourhoods. The local guide will take you to lesser-known food markets to try Thailand’s exciting fare, from a chicken noodle dish and coconut pancakes to pork skewers.