Culinary Tourism Is Booming And Here Are All The Destinations To Visit

Italy

South Korea

In recent times, everything Korean has emerged as a genre we’ve been loving with all our hearts. Everything from K-pop to K-dramas, Korean literature to Korean food has been all over social media and our minds, endearingly termed the ‘Korean Wave.’ And in this situation, trips to South Korea have only grown.

In 2025, South Korea’s tourism sector set a new record, surpassing 18.5 million international tourists by late December! And guess what? Approximately 64 per cent of tourists cited food or gourmet tours as their primary reason for visiting, driven by iconic dishes such as Korean barbecue, kimchi, bibimbap, tanghulu, and tteokbokki, which have been amplified by the Korean Wave.

However, South Korea’s food tourism isn’t limited to these traditional dishes. It’s, in fact, a blend of street food, regional crafts, and modern culinary innovation. Seoul’s bustling markets like Gwangjang and Namdaemun are food-lover hotspots where visitors can sample crispy bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), spicy tteokbokki (rice cakes) and sweet hotteok (syrup-filled pancakes) as part of, perhaps, an immersive food crawl through narrow alleys and vibrant stalls.

Beyond the capital, regions like Jeonju are also famous for specific dishes. Jeonju bibimbap has its own annual festival, drawing locals and tourists alike for tastings and cooking workshops. And places such as Juksun Food Village in Damyang offer themed food streets where bamboo-based local specialities portray the connection between local ingredients and where food finds its roots.

More than just the classics, modern food culture across the world has broadened to include daily meals once seen as simple in South Korea. This includes items like ramen, gimbap and convenience store snacks, which have now become an avid part of food tourism itineraries thanks to viral social media trends that make even casual eats bucket-list items for visitors.

Spain

I first heard about paella, a Spanish favourite, in Zoya Akhtar’s beautiful film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,’ when Hrithik Roshan’s character cooks it for the group after their first dive. As the group in the movie map their way across Spain from Madrid to Buneol, all but one thing remains clear: Spain’s culture and cuisine are among the richest of the lot. And Spain is certainly more than the sun, sangrias, and siestas!

From world-famous paella in Valencia to pintxo crawls in the Basque Country, Spain’s food scene is as diverse, unique, experimental, and flavourful as its history. Tapas alone—which are small, shareable dishes served alongside drinks akin to appetisers—have today become a global symbol of Spain’s eating culture, turning simple bar snacks into a social way of life for both tourists and locals.

If we take Madrid, it’s not only Spain’s bustling capital, but also a bona fide gastronomic hub. Here, food markets such as the Mercado de San Miguel draw more than 7 million visitors a year, offering everything from Iberian ham and olives to fresh shellfish and artisanal cheeses—all under one glass-and-iron roof. Wander its food stalls, and you’ll get a taste of Spanish tradition and innovation side by side. Heading north to San Sebastián in the Basque Country, you’ll find one of the densest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants on the planet, second only to Kyoto, Japan. Yes, this is also the birthplace of the much-loved San Sebastián/ Basque cheesecake!

Across Andalusia, cities like Seville and Granada are legendary for their tapas traditions. Seville’s marketplaces and local bars have everything from grilled seafood and jamón ibérico to cold soups like gazpacho and salmorejo—perfect for food lovers who wish to eat their way through history and heritage. In Granada, tapas culture is so deeply ingrained that bars often serve generous bites free with your drink, a quintessential Spanish experience.

Spain is also home to unique, immersive food experiences. In Galicia, fresh seafood like pulpo a la gallega (octopus) and local wines make coastal markets and fishing villages a delight for travellers. At the same time, Asturias is known for its strong cheeses, including Cabrales, and its hearty cider houses. Valencia’s rice fields and paella houses provide hands-on culinary heritage tours, while lesser-visited spots like Murcia turn citrus orchards, fresh produce and traditional dishes into an experience of their own.

Japan

From matcha and mochi to Katsu curry and sushi, Japanese food culture is all we can think and talk about. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s a food lover’s dream. According to tourism data, eating and drinking are among the top spending categories for foreign visitors in Japan, ranking just behind accommodation and shopping, underscoring how seriously travellers take the country’s food offerings.

Japanese cuisine covers an extraordinary range: from everyday favourites like ramen, tempura, and donburi to multi-course kaiseki dinners and neighbourhood izakaya nights. Whatever you eat, there’s often a story behind it, be it the meticulous craft of sushi perfected over generations or local noodle styles like Sanuki udon in Kagawa prefecture, which has even been used as part of local tourism branding. And in every nook and corner, you’ll find a contemporary cafe serving some of the best matcha you’ve had—because Japan is the birthplace of our favourite green-coloured tea!

In Tokyo, tourists can wander from world-class omakase counters to street stalls and fish markets where bowls of fresh seafood await. In Osaka, savoury street food offerings like takoyaki and okonomiyaki are all about how diverse the city’s palate is. Meanwhile, in Kyoto, seasonal kaiseki and sweets are all about heritage. However, it’s important to note that Japan’s food culture isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about how it’s enjoyed. Street markets, shrine festivals, late-night izakayas, train station ekiben boxes, and centuries-old tea houses all make eating an activity definitely worth catching that flight for.

Add for experiences like sake tasting, with traditional Japanese sake recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, it’s clear why Japan remains one of the world’s most compelling culinary travel destinations!

Thailand

Thai food is so widely loved that Thai red and green curries have become regulars on most Indian cafe menus. Not to mention, mango sticky rice is a dish of pure divinity. In 2025, data from Traveloka showed that over 80 per cent of the food and drink experiences travellers search for in the Asia Pacific region are all present in Thailand. And here, Bangkok alone accounts for more than 60 per cent of those searches. Hence, food is a leading travel motivator here.

Bangkok’s food scene is often described as a 24-hour buffet where street vendors, night markets and casual stalls sit side by side with fine dining and contemporary restaurants. Street food is central to Thailand’s culinary identity and is a core appeal for travellers. Classic dishes like pad thai, tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), som tam (green papaya salad), moo ping (grilled pork skewers), and khao niaow mamuang (mango sticky rice) are staples found in bustling markets from Bangkok’s Chatuchak to Chiang Mai’s night bazaars.

However, Thailand’s growing reputation isn’t limited to street stalls. The 2026 Michelin Guide for Thailand recognised 137 restaurants with Bib Gourmand distinctions—a Michelin Guide distinction for restaurants offering excellent-quality food at moderate prices.

Vietnam

According to research by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), over 70 per cent of international visitors identify food as a key attraction while visiting the country, with local cuisine ranking among the top three most memorable travel experiences. And when I visited Da Nang and Phu Quoc early last year, I understood why.

Vietnamese cuisine stands out, from strong coffee to tasty Banh Mi. In 2024, TripAdvisor readers named Hanoi the world’s best food destination, moving up from third place in 2023. Many restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have also featured in the Michelin Guide, with four earning one star. Apart from upscale dining, Vietnam’s street food is a big draw, too. Local, street food spots serving bún chả and phở have been recognised by Michelin for offering good food at reasonable prices, highlighting these classic Vietnamese dishes.

Vietnam’s food scene isn’t limited to its big cities. In the north, dishes like phở and bánh cuốnare must-tries on food tours. In central Vietnam, places like Hội An are known for specialities such as cao lầu and bánh xèo, also called ‘sizzling pancake.’ Street food markets, cooking classes, and guided food tours are more popular than ever. In fact, travel data shows that experiences like scooter food tours in Ho Chi Minh City and cooking classes are often booked months ahead.

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