Monday, 1 April 2019

The best foodie experiences in Asia

The best foodie experiences in Asia
Asia is an expansive region packed with a diverse array of exciting food experiences. From the sultry flavors of Thailand to the exquisite creations found in Japan, here are the things you cannot miss eating adventures around Asia.

Dine with a local in Vietnam

The best foodie experiences in Asia
Dining in the home of a Vietnamese host is a fantastic experience for so many reasons. Firstly, you will be treated to proper, home-cooked food, the stuff Vietnamese people eat every day. Secondly, you will have an unparalleled chance to get to know the locals to experience dinnertime the way the Vietnamese do it, and to learn about their everyday lives and culture. As wonderful as Vietnamese restaurants are, these are experiences you just cannot get anywhere else.

These dinners can be arranged with English-speaking hosts all over Vietnam, and depending on where you choose to visit, your host may even take you to the local market to buy ingredients before your meal or get you involved in cooking it.

Learn to make Banh Xeo in Hoi An

The best foodie experiences in Asia
Travel to Hoi An, one of the top foodie destinations in Vietnam, and discover how to make banh xeo, one of the country’s most celebrated dishes. This tasty crepe is a marriage of French and Vietnamese cooking methods. The rice flour batter is spread paper-thin on an iron pan and cooked until crisp and light. It is filled with shrimp and a medley of fresh bean sprouts and herbs. This is a dish that takes skill and dexterity, but when you learn the art of cooking it from a local expert, you cannot go wrong.

Explore the historical morning markets of Takayama

The best foodie experiences in Asia
Takayama in Gifu prefecture is at the heart of Japanese culinary history. The region is famous for producing high-altitude vegetables, renowned sake, Hida beef, and many other delicacies. The morning markets, which open at 6 a.m., date back more than 300 years, and local farmers put out fascinating displays. Visitors will find beautiful seasonal produce, unique local pickles, bags of homemade miso wrapped in leaves, preserved fish, soy bean candies, and more.

Visit the Bibimbap Festival in Jeonju

The best foodie experiences in Asia
It is fitting that a city considered among the best places in Korea to sample bibimbap hosts one of the biggest celebrations commemorating this simple, delicious dish. Held each year in October in Jeonju, the festivities include cultural performances, tours, and plenty of opportunities to sample the celebrated dish. The denouement is the preparation of a giant bibimbap that is large enough to serve 400.

Experience the unique cuisine in Chiang Mai

The best foodie experiences in Asia
Bangkok hogs the limelight, but Chiang Mai provides the chance to try northern dishes such spicy sausage, Burmese curry, fish curry, sticky rice in banana leaf and lovely salads of green mango and soft-shell crab. There is less emphasis on chilli, making northern dishes kinder on the tongue. Markets supply all the fruit you could ever name and there are good restaurants galore.

Browse Ningxia Night Market in Taipei

Browse Ningxia Night Market in Taipei
Taiwan is renowned for its snack culture, and there is no better place to sample the full range of delicacies than at the Ningxia Night Market. Although this is not the largest night market in the city, it is one of the most popular among locals, and you can bet the flavors are true to tradition. When the sun sets, wander through the many rows of lighted stalls, and dive into specialities such as oyster omelettes, deep-fried taro balls filled with salted egg yolk, and roasted sausage stuffed inside glutinous rice.

See more: Top 6 must-try food in Taipei

Source Internet

Friday, 29 March 2019

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea

Seoul’s skyline is vast and ever-changing. There are several key structures that perfectly combine the old with the new. These are some of the most amazing buildings in Seoul that make the vibrant city what it is today.

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea

DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza)

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea
One of Seoul’s most extravagant modern buildings, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, completely transformed the surrounding area of Dongdaemun. Design by Zaha Hadid and Samoo, the structure is a major urban development landmark in Seoul. Its distinct neo-futuristic features stand for power and elegance. It’s no wonder that the building holds the bi-annual Seoul Fashion Week and is also home to countless art galleries and exhibitions.

See more: Explore Gangnam district in Seoul

Lotte World Tower

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea
The 123-floor Lotte World Tower was completed in March 2016. It is currently the world’s fifth tallest building, standing at 554.5 metres (1,819 ft). The design of the building was inspired by Korean ceramics and writing brushes. The tower houses various galleries, cafés, a luxury hotel, as well as a skywalk and an observation deck.

Boutique Monaco

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea
The 117 meter (383 ft) tall Boutique Monaco is a residential skyscraper in Seoul’s Seocho district. The building has 27 floors and 172 apartment units. Design by architect Minsuk Cho, the structure gained so much international fame and admiration that it won the 2008 Silver Emporis Skyscraper Award.

Seocho Garak Tower East

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea
Designed by ArchitectenConsort, the Seocho Garak Tower East is a beautiful 24 storey skyscraper in Gangnam, Seoul. The construction of the building was completed in 2011 after three years of planning and building. Today, the building stands at 130.1 m (427 ft) and is a remarkable addition to Seoul’s skyline.

Seoul National University Museum of Art

The most amazing buildings in Seoul, Korea
The Seoul National University Museum of Art ( SNUMoA), is a museum located on the premises of Seoul National University. The museum is often considered Seoul’s center for the arts as it holds regular and temporary art exhibitions displaying work from Korean and international artists. The museum also has a strong focus on design and supports local artists and designers to get their careers started.

Source Internet

Best desserts to try in Singapore

Best desserts to try in Singapore
Desserts in Singapore are a melting pot of diverse influences, just like the island’s people. They come together in a colourful smorgasbord of food that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. From icy cool dishes to jellies and cakes, here are delicious local desserts you’ve got to try when travelling to the sunny island.

Bubur Pulut Hitam

Bubur Pulut Hitam
Simmering sweet black glutinous rice is topped with a whirl of coconut milk to make this scrumptious local favourite. It’s quite a simple recipe but the result is delicious! It’s so easy you can even make it at home. Pulut hitam is a popular dessert in Malaysia, with variations in other Southeast Asian countries too. In Singapore, you can find it at many dessert stalls and if you’re lucky, served with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream on top.

Tau Suan

Tau Suan
Tau Suan is a dessert made with split mung beans and topped with crispy dough fritters (youtiao). The soup base is boiled with sugar and pandan leaves then thickened with potato flour to create this tasty hot dish. I prefer tau suan when the beans have some bite to them and the more youtiao the merrier. It’s a humble old-school treat!

Ah Balling

Ah Balling
Ah Balling, also called tang yuan, are soft and slightly chewy glutinous rice balls stuffed with mouthwatering ingredients like peanut, red bean or sesame paste. They are served in a sweet broth which is often infused with ginger, although peanut soup is also very popular. Ah Balling is a Chinese dessert that was traditionally served during the Winter Solstice and Chinese New Year to symbolise togetherness. Today you can enjoy this dish all year round.

Tissue Prata

Tissue Prata
Not your average prata, tissue prata is a delicious pyramid of crispy paper-thin prata coated with sugar on its underside. It’s not exactly for the health conscious as it’s usually glazed with a generous amount of butter that drips to the base and is sometimes topped with whirls of chocolate syrup. Yes, you will probably consume a thousand calories in one sitting. And yes, it tastes good.

Chendol (Cendol)

Chendol (Cendol)
Shaved ice is soaked in creamy coconut milk, drizzled with gula melaka, topped with chendol (soft pandan-flavoured jelly) and red bean to create this indulgent cold treat. Though the dish originates from Singapore’s neighbours, it is still very much a staple sweet on the island. I love how the rich flavours of coconut, palm sugar and the toppings blend perfectly together.

Nonya Kueh

Nonya Kueh
Kueh are a variety of small desserts that come in many different forms, using various ingredients. Coconut milk, gula melaka, pandan and tapioca are essentials that are commonly used in most types of kueh. Our Southeast Asian neighbours will be very familiar with these delectables since they are found all over the region, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia. From the colourful layers of Kueh Lapis to the oozing gula melaka of Ondeh Ondeh, there are so many irresistible kueh to choose from.

Ice Kachang (Ice Kacang)

Ice Kachang (Ice Kacang)
This list would not be complete without what might be the mother of all Singapore desserts, Ice Kachang. I’m not sure who came up with the idea of red beans, jelly, chendol and attap chee (palm seed) hidden under a mountain of shaved ice, then soaked in the rainbow and doused with evaporated milk, but I’m glad they did. A hit of Ice Kachang is sublime in the hot and humid weather! At many stalls, you can also add extra toppings like sweet corn, mango, durian or chopped peanuts.

See more: 6 food centres to visit in Singapore
Source: Internet