The Best Organized Food and Culinary Tours through Asia

Which Tour Companies Offer Food and Culinary Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer culinary tours in Asia. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.

See All Tours from Intrepid Travel

Explore!

Explore! Is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. A number of their tours visit destinations in Europe and Asia. Some of their most popular destinations include India, Italy, Vietnam, and Spain. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as island hopping, wine tasting, camping, whale watching, white water rafting, and bird watching.

See All Tours from Explore!

Realistic Asia

Realistic Asia is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. Certain tours offer the flexibility to be adapted to your unique needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, and jetskiing.

See All Tours from Realistic Asia

UME Travel Co. Ltd

UME Travel Co. Ltd offers local cultural tours through Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 4 days to 4 weeks. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.

See All Tours from UME Travel Co. Ltd

Food and Culinary Destinations in Asia

Wondering where food and culinary tours visit in Asia? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

Ubud

Ubud is a town on the island of Bali that attracts tourists, vacationers, honeymooners, and backpackers. It's a well-known destination and what was once a serene and peaceful destination has become well-established on the travel circuit. It's still a beautiful destination, though, with jungles, rice paddies, and temples offering a unique cultural setting.

You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and it offers a unique glimpse into the northern Vietnamese culture. The city is filled with interesting architecture, local foods, and bustling street markets. At the heart of the city's energy is the Old Quarter, which is where you'll find backpackers, locals, and tourists all intermingling.

Northern Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and delicious. There are some Chinese influences, but it still has a distinct flavor that's all its own. Most notably, Hanoi is the birthplace of the famous soup, Pho. There are also many dishes that use freshwater fish and seafood. Street food and food stalls are a part of the culture, and you'll find some of the best dishes prepared right on the street.

Hoi An

Hội An is a charming town on the central coast of Vietnam. The old town is filled with yellow buildings and in the evening it lights up with lanterns. The town's local cuisine can only be found in this setting, so don't miss out on the truly unique dishes. Tailor made clothing is also a local specialty.

The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a mix of old and new, modern and historic, and it fills your senses with colors, sounds, scents, and tastes. The city has many museums that reflect the country's war torn past, but there are also peaceful parks and beautiful art. The food scene is second-to-none and the people are friendly and welcoming.

This city, arguably, has some of the best food in Vietnam. You'll find everything from food stalls selling mouthwatering street food to luxury restaurants preparing traditional dishes with a modern twist. Banh Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich) and Pho (Vietnamese soup) are the most well known dishes around town, but also try the Bún mắm (a noodle dish) and Bún bò Huế (a beef based soup).

More

Other popular destinations for food and culinary tours through Asia include Kochi (Cochin), Takayama, Kintamani, Colombo, and Siem Reap.

Food and Culinary Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

Choosing whether to join a guided tour or organize your own adventure? Be sure to think about the unique benefits of each option.

Organized Tours

Independent Travel

Which is cheaper?

Can you save money by traveling independently instead of joining guided culinary tours? It's not a simple yes or no. Tours usually include key expenses such as lodging, transportation, meals, entry fees, guides, and activities, which you'd need to manage and pay for individually on your own trip. To figure out the difference, compare the total tour price with the cost of making your own arrangements. Depending on your choices—like opting for budget hotels or premium dining—the cost of a tour might be higher or lower. Be sure to examine the tour inclusions carefully when comparing.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Asia, The Best Wildlife Tours to Asia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Asia, The Best Historical Tours in Asia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Asia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Asia, The Best 3-Day Tours in Asia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Asia, The Best 3-Week Tours in Asia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Asia, The Best Extended Trip Tours in Asia, One Month or Longer, The Best River Cruises in Asia, The Best Bicycle Tours in Asia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Asia, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Asia, The Best Overlanding Trips in Asia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Asia, The Best Bird Watching Tours in Asia, The Best Adventure Tours to Asia, The Best Eco Tours in Asia, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Asia, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Asia, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Asia, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Asia, The Best White Water Rafting Tours in Asia, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Asia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Asia, The Best Cultural Tours in Asia, The Best Music Tours in Asia, The Tours for Animal Lovers in Asia, The Best Volunteering Tours in Asia, The Best Photography Tours in Asia, The Best Camping Tours in Asia, The Best Educational Tours in Asia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Asia, The Best Safaris in Asia, The Best Budget Safaris in Asia, The Best Nightlife Tours in Asia, The Best Religious Tours in Asia, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Asia, The Best Walking Tours in Asia, The Best Mountain Biking Tours in Asia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Asia, The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Asia, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Asia, The Best Luxury Tours to Asia, The Best Budget Tours to Asia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Asia, The Best Contiki Tours to Asia, or The Best G Adventures Tours to Asia for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.