wagamama

First up, Tokyo. Bourdain called it ‘a densely packed, impenetrable layer cake of the strange and wonderful that thrills.’ He wasn’t wrong. Bright lights, sharp style, and a smorgasbord of the best food you’ll ever eat made it our most inspiring pitstop. From the husband-and-wife duo behind the art and culture hub Kabe to Tomago, to the passionate team at Michelin-awarded Ramen Tsuta, to the wine and food-obsessed owner-sommelier of Salmon & Trout, we were welcomed into the kitchens of exceptional food heroes. Each one proving that food isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life.

Next up: snowy Seoul. A city where old meets new, tradition clashes with innovation, and kimchi masters stand alongside TikTok-famous tteokbokki. Korea’s capital introduced us to a revolving door of fascinating characters. We had the honour of meeting Oh-Sook-Ja, one of Korea’s seven kimchi masters, we indulged in the best fried chicken we’ve ever eaten and we were schooled by new-age restaurant OFTT on the importance of bunsik (분식)—the heart of affordable Korean comfort food.

We traded winter for warmth in Ho Chi Minh City, landing right in the heart of Lunar New Year, where the city’s energy was high from touchdown. Over the next week, we met two local legends: pho master Mama Dung of Pho Chao and street vendor Aunty Baba, who showed us the beauty of authentic papaya salad. We stepped into fine dining at East, where Vietnamese flavors met classic techniques, and ended on an unforgettable note at NEO - part gastropub, part community hub, run by the unstoppable Nguğen Hoàng Tùng.