Try the real deal

1. Pho in Vietnam

We came across a comment on a food blog which said that the best pho is found in Melbourne (Australia) because they use top quality cuts of beef. That may be so, but pho is a staple food in Vietnam and is served everywhere, from high-end restaurants to food carts in alleyways. If you want to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine, start with pho ... and then move on to bahn mi, bun cha, spring rolls and others. Don’t forget the coffee and pastries too!

2. Tom yum in Thailand

Tom yum is perhaps the one Thai dish that is frequently adapted in other countries to suit local tastes. Some places in Thailand even make “tourist-friendly” versions of it, unfortunately. If you’re planning a visit there anytime soon, sign up for some cooking classes so you can learn how to make tom yum, as well as a handful of other classic Thai dishes, from scratch. Check out the Klook discount app for vouchers or reccommendations on cooking classes.

3. Kimchi in South Korea

Do you know how many types of kimchi are available in South Korea? More than a hundred, although probably only about a dozen are sold outside the country. Challenge yourself to find as many versions as you can while you’re on a visit there.

4. Kalua pig, lau lau and poi in Hawaii, US

Kalua is a method of cooking food – usually meat or poultry – in an underground oven called imu. Kalua pig refers to a whole pig being cooked in an imu, while lau lau is chunks of pork wrapped in taro leaf and then steamed in an imu. A traditional meal would include rice, shredded kalua pig, lau lau, a kind of salsa called lomi salmon and a side of poi, which is made from taro stems. If you don’t have time for the full Hawaiian luau (party) experience, you could always just look for a restaurant or cafe that serves the dishes.

5. Pasta in Italy

Ever had pasta in Italy? You would be surprised how different your favourite pasta dishes taste or even look in Italy. Some regions or cities have their own versions too so always ask a local for recommendations. Better yet, take a pasta-making or Italian cooking class; the country has embraced the idea of “cooking vacations” in the past few years so ask your travel agent to plan one for you.