The diversity of climates and products left me speechless-18k foot peaks, rain forests and a rugged coast leaves for much discovery.
The food here is ancient and the techniques some of the most complex of any cuisine. We owe so much to this part of the world for what would we be without corn or chiles. Go here and eat and you will forever leave behind the insipid tastes of Mexican food that has been dumbed down for soft palates.
Amazing cultural integrity for a country who has been over run and occupied by external forces for so many years. This cuisine is one of the most powerful in the world-not for the faint of heart. Seoul is one of the coolest cities out there-go and winter, eat lots of chiles and pork!
Penang is my favorite street food city in the world. The mash up of cultures here is something to behold-Chinese, Nonya, Indigenous, Thai, Euroean, Indian etc. all seem to be getting along. Culinary traditions are some of the most in depth and complex in the world.
Once you go to this country and begin to study its history you will see that much of what Asia believes and eats has roots in this nation. Ankor Wat should be a requirement for all travelers. Food is interesting and vastly different than its neighbors. In a word-wonderful!
In a few words, quaint, charming, hospitable and forgiving. A lovely landlocked country that goes along at its own pace with great food and ancient sights.
One of the greatest success stories out there. Basically in 1 or 2 generations this country went from outpost to economic giant. Great street food and easy to maneuver-an excellent intro to the region.
If you want the best regional Chinese food, this is the place to go. I have had more great Chinese meals in this country than I have had anywhere else. It beats Hong Kong by a long shot.
I never tire of the food here-its healthy, fresh and vibrant. The culture is so old and so unique that its my favorite place to travel of any country in the world . I love the people and craziness of life emerging from sequestration.
Thailand is full of paradox. In some ways extremely chaste and in others a cesspool of excess and weirdness. I love the mash up of food here-the curries the liberal use of chiles, the insanity of Bangkok and the beauty of the jungle and beaches. Once you taste it from the source its very hard to eat this food anywhere else.
