Following the Flavor: Agoda Spotlights Asian Destinations Worth Tasting

SINGAPORE, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A dish can give travelers a reason to look beyond a familiar gateway. Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report points to strong interest in food-led travel among people 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. In celebration of World Food Day, Agoda dishes six destination picks where a meal can become the starting point for a longer stay.

Chiayi, Taiwan

Chiayi makes a persuasive case over a simple bowl of turkey rice: tender meat, warm rice and savory 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 flavors 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 flavors.

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 specialty: lightly spicy Andong sikhye, a rice drink traditionally served to guests at New Year. Together, they give travelers 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 chili dips to the table, then stay for the city's Loi Krathong traditions later in the year.

Iloilo City, Philippines

Iloilo's batchoy - noodles in a rich, savory broth - is a good reason to explore its markets and local eateries. The Dinagyang Festival, which takes place in January, adds street dancing and music. Travelers 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 Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda. "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 travelers beyond the usual hubs. We're highlighting the places behind those flavors and giving travelers a reason to explore further."

With over 6 million properties, more than 130,000 flight routes and a wide range of activities to choose from, travelers can discover and plan their next food-led trip on Agoda.com or the Agoda app.

SOURCE Agoda