Agoda's latest survey has dished up some tasty news: Malaysia ranks as the fifth top foodie destination in Asia, drawing culinary enthusiasts from Singapore in droves.
From modern fusion to time-honored classics, Malaysia offers foodies a smorgasbord of delights.
Foodies come for the iconic Nasi Lemak, served in various styles—from the humble, banana-leaf-wrapped version (featuring coconut milk rice, sambal, and a medley of toppings) to the indulgent Nasi Lemak Ayam Berempah with spicy fried chicken.
Heading up north, Penang is a paradise for street food lovers. Here, you can dive into local favorites like Char Kway Teow (stir-fried rice noodles), Hokkien Mee (savory prawn noodle soup), and the refreshing Cendol (a sweet shaved ice dessert), among many others.
In East Malaysia, places like Kota Kinabalu serve fresh local dishes to foodies including Hinava (raw fish salad) and Tuaran Mee.
Meanwhile, in Kuching, traditional foods like Manok Pansoh, a traditional Iban dish of chicken cooked in bamboo with herbs, can be found.
Agoda Malaysia and Brunei country director Fabian Teja said that food is more than just sustenance but also about a cultural experience.
"Some travellers are so passionate about food that they book a restaurant abroad even before securing their flights.
"Our survey data clearly shows that travellers are seeking out destinations where they can immerse themselves in local cuisines and traditions rather than just sightseeing.
"Agoda is proud to offer great value deals to visit these foodie heavens so that there’s more left to spend on the tastiest local dishes,” said Teja.
Through Agoda’s survey involving over 4,000 participants from ten global markets, its results revealed that South Korea came in first, followed by Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan before Malaysia.
More than 64 per cent of South Korean travellers said that the main reason for their travel was for food.
South Korea, which is also famous for its entertainment industry, including seasonal K-dramas and movies and Korean idols (celebrities), also happens to be famous for its food across all areas throughout the nation.
Jeju Island offers a unique gourmet including savoury fresh seafood and black pork that melts in one's mouth called heukdwaeji, commonly served sizzling on a traditional Korean BBQ grill.
In coastal cities like Incheon, foodies can find ganjang gejang, which is a raw crab marinated in soy sauce with hints of spiciness that will surely keep the conversations and sweat going for its tanginess.
There is also an opportunity for foodies to try out street food such as tteokboki (spicy rice cakes) and bindaetteok (savoury pancakes) at traditional markets such as Gwangjang Market in Seoul and chodang sundubu (hot soup with tofu) in Gangneung for comforting food.
Meanwhile, Taiwan offers a mixture of traditional and modern palate experiences in just one place, such as Taipei’s legendary night markets, Shilin and Raohe, selling a range of food from the infamous stinky tofu to the sensational bubble tea.
In Taiwan's Tainan, the traditional danzai noodles and milkfish soup can also be found, which highlight the island’s deep food heritage. There, there is also a unique tea culture where Alishan’s oolong tea has become the talk of the town, especially among visitors with an inclination for tea.
Thailand provides another unique food culture that cannot be found elsewhere. Bangkok is among the most visited places, including foodies’ locations such as Yaowarat, known as its own version of Chinatown, which sells traditional foods from food stalls such as crispy pork belly, pad thai, crispy oyster omelette, and mango sticky rice at an affordable price.
Meanwhile, the north of Thailand, including the rich and creamy Khao Soy in Chiang Mai, is also among the most sought-after foodie locations. In the south, around the lesser-known Khanom Jeen, there is a fermented rice noodle dish with a variety of spicy curries that has become a favourite among foodies.
In Japan, there are fresh sushi and sashimi at the Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo and takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) in popular areas such as Shinjuku and Ginza.
Foodies can also find seafood at Otaru in Hokkaido which serves famous crabs, uni (sea urchin), and fresh seafood donburi.
Aside from seafood, ramen aficionados can locate Tenjin in Fukuoka for tonkotsu ramen featuring rich pork broth.