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Eating Kashmiri Wazwan

March 23, 2023
A ladleful of rogan josh, a velvety thick, bright-red and very spicy Kashmiri dish that is part of Kashmiri wazwan cuisine.

In the northernmost part of India, Kashmir is world-famous for several reasons, from its handmade shawls to its stunning natural beauty. But one thing you may not be familiar with is its renowned cuisine, known as wazwan. Kashmiri wazwan (also spelled wazawan) is a traditional multi-course meal, served on special occasions such as weddings and festivals. This grand feast consists of a variety of meat-based dishes, vegetables, and…

Asia Food Travel

15 Lesser-Known Traditional Vietnamese Dishes to Try

January 20, 2022
A bowl of cao lau, a traditional and regional noodle dish from Hoi An, Vietnam

Vietnamese food has grown to be world-famous in recent years. Who doesn’t love bánh mì and phở at this point? But while those dishes are popular for good reason, there are so many other delightful traditional Vietnamese foods that most travelers there don’t even know about, or ever get to explore. Truth is, traveling around Vietnam is an immersive gastronomic adventure that varies with every region you visit.…

Asia Food Origins

Origins: The History of Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

August 31, 2021
A bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup in Taipei

Warm spices, pickled mustard greens, slurpable wheat noodles, rich beef broth: Such are the lip-smacking hallmarks of Taiwanese beef noodle soup (牛肉麵), an oft-heralded national dish (and ultimate comfort food) of Taiwan. The dish wasn’t always so beloved, however. In fact, before 1895, Taiwanese of Han Chinese descent (who now account for more than 97 percent of the population) ate beef no more often than 21st-century Americans eat…

Asia Food Culture

The Regional Indian Breads to Know

January 31, 2021
Bowls of dal, baati, and churma from Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

India is a country of humongous diversity that’s reflected in its culinary traditions—and its wide variety of regional breads is no exception. The influence of multiple cultures and different geographical regions is clearly evident in the smorgasbord of Indian breads on offer. The rotis, parathas, and bhakri (millet rotis) are traditionally an intrinsic part of everyday meals. The foreign settlers and migrants, too, left a mark on breads:…

Asia Food Culture

What Is Mongolian Food? Going Beyond the BBQ

January 21, 2020
A Mongolian man holds airag, a traditional liquor, in Mongolia.

Mongolian food isn’t “Mongolian BBQ.” It’s meat and dumplings, dried curd and milk tea. Here’s what to know about local cuisine and culture in Mongolia. Say Mongolian food and the first thing that comes to mind is probably a modern chain restaurant. I mean, who doesn’t love a 20-foot, all-you-can-eat buffet filled with raw meat, fresh veggies, and concoct-your-own sauce? Add the excitement of a wannabe-ninja chef cooking…

Asia Food Travel

Vegetarian Guide to Bangkok

December 23, 2018

Larb tofu, pomelo salad, corn fritters and more—here’s your guide to eating vegetarian and vegan (and holding the fish sauce) in Bangkok.

Plate of vegetarian pad see ew in Bangkok

Calling all adventurous, meat-free diners: This guide is for you. Thailand may be best known for its dreamy beaches and abundance of temples, but is also, of course, every…

Asia Food Travel

Top 10 Sri Lankan Foods to Try in Colombo

April 5, 2018


Although there are a few similarities to neighboring India, Sri Lanka’s cuisine is all its own: diverse, largely very spicy, and flavor-packed. Thanks to a growing expat community, the food scene in the capital, Colombo, is thriving, with tons of restaurants and cafes serving many international and fusion cuisines. But thankfully, from upscale restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries, Colombo still caters to those who are looking for real-deal…