SINGAPORE, 19 October 2026: A favourite dish can give travellers a reason to look beyond a familiar gateway, according to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, which identifies strong interest in food-led travel among travellers from Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea.
A market breakfast, a regional recipe or a dish glimpsed online can make an unfamiliar place feel worth the journey. To celebrate World Food Day (16 October), Agoda shares six destination picks where a meal can start a longer stay.
Chiayi, Taiwan
Chiayi makes a persuasive case over a simple bowl of turkey rice: tender meat, warm rice and savoury gravy. Follow it with snacks at Wenhua Road Night Market. The city’s International Band Festival brings music into its streets at year’s end, giving visitors an evening of flavours and song.
Dong Van, Vietnam
On the rocky plateau around Dong Van, buckwheat is more than a flower to photograph. Its seeds become pancakes, noodles and cakes. Autumn’s buckwheat bloom and festival draw visitors into the area’s food and cultural traditions; market meals can turn a scenic stop into a trip built around local flavours.
Andong, South Korea
Andong’s old market is the place to try jjimdak, chicken braised with vegetables and glass noodles. When winter settles in, look for another local speciality: lightly spicy Andong sikhye, a rice drink traditionally served to guests at New Year. Together, they give travellers a taste of the city beyond its historic sites.
Shodoshima, Japan
Olive groves, soy sauce breweries and hand-stretched somen noodles make this Seto Inland Sea island a destination for curious eaters. Winter is a peak season for somen production, when visitors can see the craft behind the delicate noodles before sitting down to enjoy a bowl.
Chiang Rai, Thailand
A bowl of nam ngiao introduces Chiang Rai’s northern Thai cooking through its aromatic broth and local ingredients. Add sai oua sausage and chilli dips to the table, then stay for the city’s Loi Krathong traditional festival during the evening of 25 November.
Iloilo City, Philippines
Iloilo’s batchoy, noodles in a rich, savoury broth, is a great reason to explore its markets and local eateries. The Dinagyang Festival, which takes place in January, adds street dancing and music. Travellers who come for the celebration can make time to discover the food that gives the city its everyday character.
“Food can put a place on someone’s travel list before they know what else is there,” said Agoda Senior Vice President Supply Andrew Smith. “Sometimes the restaurant reservation comes first; sometimes it’s a local dish someone has seen on a social media post. Either way, that meal can lead travellers beyond the usual hubs. We’re highlighting the places behind those flavours and giving travellers a reason to explore further.”
(Source: Agoda)
