Undoubtedly you’ll explore Asia for its many cultural and historic offerings, as well as an exotic location or two, but to really get inside a destination you need to taste it.

No matter how varied your tastes might be, exploring a destination through food is the fastest way to get an authentic local viewpoint of any place you might be visiting.

It’s a little difficult to replicate all those local delicacies without some form of instruction, and there’s no better way to learn than from inside a local kitchen. It’s now possible to experience the best home cooking, from those who know it best - local home cooks.

 

Kyoto, Japan

Sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki are some of our favourite Japanese foods, but if you want a truly immersive foodie experience, try visiting an old farmhouse just outside of Kyoto in Orgino-sato village.

There’s a real spirit of community that comfortably co-exists with nature, which is evident in the serenity and beauty of the lush countryside. Take a tour to meet a farmhouse couple who will demonstrate how to make mochi rice cakes in a traditional method using locally harvested rice.

They will take you for a stroll around the rice terraces and Lake Biwa, and as an added bonus visit the Ogoto Hot Spring resort where the healing waters are said to be magic.

 

Bali, Indonesia

Head up to the hills in Bali to beautiful Ubud, the cultural capital of the Island of the Gods. Visit a Balinese family and step inside their traditional home, and take a local cooking class which includes the myriad of herbs and spices commonly used for that unique local Bali flavour.

A little further to the north, Lovina hosts a cooking class that not only teaches you the magic of creating Lawar, Betutu Ajam, Jukut Rambanan and even a Balinese cake, but you’ll also be invited to stroll through a local spice garden to select your fresh ingredients.

 

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnamese food is a mix of fresh healthy ingredients, and both sweet and sour flavours. In Ho Chi Minh you can start your food exploration with a trip to the market, guided by your local culinary master you’ll select from local produce to be used in your cooking lesson.

Heading back to the host’s home, you’ll be taught the entire process of preparing and cooking some favourite Vietnamese dishes, and naturally, the best part, eat it with your host.

 

Singapore

The streets of Singapore overflow with amazing food and some of the best meals can be found in the small, local shophouses, and let’s face it, it’s that black pepper crab, and baby kai lan with garlic sauce we want to be able to cook at home.

Take a tour of Singapore classics with a master chef, who cooks all these and more, homestyle.

You can put together your own group or join others, but each class represents an integrated menu you can replicate in your own kitchen.

So stop looking and get cooking! You can impress your special someone, your friends and family with the great local cooking skills you’ve picked up on your travels, as you explain each ingredient, how it’s grown, its purpose and the cultural background to each dish.

 

Anita Duffin for BeMyGuest