It’s time to be surprised by these 8 most underrated foodie cities in Asia

When it comes to Asia’s top dining destinations, certain cities always dominate the conversation—Beijing, Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore remain perennial favourites. But for those willing to look beyond the usual capitals, the continent is brimming with smaller cities where food culture runs deep—unspoiled by mass tourism yet revered by those in the know.

From the imperial kitchens of Hué to the coffeehouse culture of Ipoh, these underrated foodie destinations deserve a spot on your culinary bucket list. If you’re seeking an unforgettable meal, it’s time to venture off the beaten path.

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Fukuoka, Japan

At open-air yatai, locals warm themselves wit steaming bowls of noodles (Photo: Nichika Sakurai via Unsplash)

While Tokyo and Osaka may claim their fair share of noodle glory, Fukuoka is Japan’s true ramen capital. The city is synonymous with Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen, where pork bones are boiled into a rich, creamy broth that’s deeply comforting and delectably umami. The best way to enjoy it is at a yatai, one of Fukuoka’s famous open-air food stalls, where locals huddle over steaming bowls of noodles under the neon glow of the city.

Beyond ramen, Fukuoka is also famous for mentaiko (spicy cod roe), motsunabe (a hotpot dish made with beef or pork intestines) and yakitori joints, skewered chicken delicacies that are addictive.

Ipoh, Malaysia

Ipoh, 200km north of Kuala Lumpur, is a dream destination for those looking for old-world charm and delicious food (Photo: Wan San Yip via Unsplash)

Often overshadowed by Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh is a dream destination for food lovers who appreciate slow-cooked flavours and old-world charm. It’s best known for Ipoh white coffee, a smooth, aromatic brew made with palm oil margarine-roasted beans, served sweet and creamy.

Food-wise, Ipoh is heaven for noodle lovers, offering dishes like kai si hor fun (silky rice noodles in chicken and prawn broth) and salt-baked chicken, which is marinated in Chinese herbs and baked in rock salt for an ultra-tender texture. For dessert, don’t miss tau fu fah, a silky soybean pudding that’s beloved among locals.

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Hué, Vietnam

Bun bo Hué is a richly flavoured beef noodle soup that is a specialty in the former imperial city (Photo by SauceSupreme via Wikimedia Commons)

If all you know about Vietnamese food is pho and banh mi, Hué will expand your horizons. As the former imperial capital, Hue is known for its refined royal cuisine, featuring small, delicate dishes once served to emperors.

One must-try is bun bo Hué, a rich, spicy beef noodle soup with lemongrass. There’s also banh beo, tiny steamed rice cakes topped with dried shrimp and crispy shallots, and com hen, a tasty mix of rice, baby clams, and herbs that serves up the best balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.

Iloilo, Philippines

Chicken inasal is marinated in a spice mixture that includes annatto, which gives it a distinct yellow colouring (Photo: Joel Garcia via Pexels)

While Cebu and Manila get most of the attention, Iloilo quietly holds its own as the heart of Visayan regional cuisine. The city’s most famous dish, la paz batchoy, is a savoury noodle soup topped with pork cracklings and rich bone marrow, best enjoyed in the bustling markets where it was first developed.

Iloilo is also home to pancit molo, a Filipino take on wonton soup, and chicken inasal, a perfectly marinated grilled chicken dish that’s best eaten with your hands and a side of piping-hot garlic rice. For seafood lovers, Iloilo’s coastal location guarantees some of the freshest oysters, scallops, and crabs, often served grilled or cooked in coconut milk.

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Gwangju, South Korea

The metropolis of Gwangju is found in southwestern part of South Korea (Photo: Asia Culture Center via Pexels)

Seoul may be the face of Korean food trends, but Gwangju is where you’ll find the soul of traditional Korean cuisine. Known for its bountiful side dishes and slow-cooked stews, Gwangju is the birthplace of Korean fine dining. Many of the local recipes even date back to the royal court.

One of its signature dishes is tteokgalbi, a luxurious version of short rib patties that are marinated, grilled and served with fresh perilla leaves. The city is also known for hanjeongsik, a multi-course meal featuring seasonal vegetables, kimchi, grilled fish and bubbling hot soups—all arranged with the precision of an art piece.

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Hualien, Taiwan

Hualien is a scenic city on the east coast of Taiwan (Photo: RDNE Stock project via Pexels)

Taipei gets the lion’s share of visitors, but Hualien is where Taiwan’s best flavours thrive. The city’s night markets offer a mix of indigenous Taiwanese, Hakka, and Japanese influences, with must-try dishes like mochi (chewy rice cakes), wild boar sausage, and mullet roe fried rice, a delicacy prized for its rich umami profile.

Hualien is also home to some of Taiwan’s best beef noodle soups, where the broth is simmered for hours to achieve a depth of flavour that locals swear by. And let’s not forget scallion pancakes, a crispy, flaky staple that pairs perfectly with a local craft beer.

Surabaya, Indonesia

The city of Surabaya, found in East Java, is home to distinctly fiery, rich dishes (Photo: Baiq Daling via Unsplash)

Jakarta may be the political and economic centre, but Surabaya is where real Indonesian food shines. Known for its fiery sensibilities and generous use of spices, this East Javanese city is home to rawon, a rich black beef soup made with keluak nuts, which give it a deep, earthy characteristic.

Surabaya is also famous for lontong balap, a dish of compressed rice cakes served with bean sprouts, tofu, and a sweet-savoury peanut sauce. And if you’re a fan of satay, you’ll find some of the best sate klopo, where the skewered meat is coated in grated coconut before being grilled to perfection. Indonesia is brimming with underrated foodie cities— one only needs to look beyond Bali or Jakarta to enjoy them.

Also read: 5 best bakeries in Surabaya with the most delicious pastries

Luang Prabang, Laos

(Photo: Stephen Leonardi via Pexels)

Nestled between mountains and the Mekong River, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO-protected city where Laotian and French influences create an amazingly unique food scene. Here, you’ll find kaipen, a crispy river weed snack seasoned with sesame and served with spicy jeow bong (chilli paste), alongside or lam, a rich buffalo stew infused with wild herbs.

Thanks to its colonial past, the city is also home to some of Asia’s best French pastries, where croissants and baguettes are served with Laotian-style coffee—strong, sweet, and utterly habit-forming.

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