By the time I returned home to Vancouver, I was craving a nice juicy burger; I seldomly crave burgers. In the 3 months that I spent in Asia, I was fortunate enough to discover, and reacquaint myself with a diverse range of deliciousness. I’ll share with you some of my favorite! 👇🏽

This one is a no brainer (haha get it?)! Growing up in China, I was thrilled every time my parents order pig brain when we went out for family hot pot. While not easily found in restaurants in Canada, I was able to order pig brain delivery as a solo item while in the city of Chengdu, and Chongqing, both known for their spicy food, hot pot, and innards. I would describe pig brain as a meaty tasting with a hint of gaminess with the texture of soft tofu. If you haven’t tried pig brain before, I consider this a must try for the experience, my favorite being garlic stir fried and mild spice flavors.

Have you ever cried for food? I have after visiting Chiang Mai. I’ve always known that I would love Pad Thai, as it shares many similarities with Chow Mein, and so I actively looked for the best Pad Thai place while in Thailand. I came across Thai Food Bistro with over 400 reviews and a 4.9 rating. Call me a skeptic considering how I have encountered a few places so far on the trip that ask for 5 star reviews in exchange for discounted food, but I went to check it out nonetheless. The family ran restaurant itself was nothing more than a make shift shack. It was conspicuous compared to other Pad Thai places I’ve been to.

The Pad Thai itself also looked ordinary, like most other Pad Thai I’ve seen. My first taste could only be described as a gentle explosion of flavors on my tongue, it reminded me of my grandma’s cooking; homey, and unassuming, good. If you ever find yourself visiting Chiang Mai, let me know what you think about this place.

Unlike Drake, I don’t brag about eating sushi from Japan, because my favorite Japanese food has always been ramen! While the different regional ramen experience was great from all across the land of the rising sun, my favorite encounter happened to be in Osaka. On the morning before departing for my next destination, I found myself craving one more bowl of ramen after spending a late night out. I happened across Moeyo Mensuke, a hole in the wall ramen shop in a side alley with a lineup that curves around trice, filling half of the tight alleyway with local businessmen, and so as a curious foodie, I joined the queue. After what felt like an eternity in line, I ordered duck ramen from the fully Japanese vending machine with the help of trusty Google translate on my phone, and patiently watched from the bar stool while they prepared the order.

The ramen itself reminded me of how I perceived Japanese craftsmanship: Done just right with nothing extra. The combination of perfectly al dante noodles, broth packed with umami, and just the right amount of refreshing duck slices created the perfect dance of flavor in my mouth. I almost contemplated staying another day just so I could try it again!

While I cherished the amazing meals I had in Asia, and reminisce on them on the daily, I am glad to be back in Vancouver where my friends, family, and home are. How do you feel about my favorite dishes from Asia? Let me know if you have any bomb recipes, restaurant recommendations, or simply want to exchange memories of food!