food markets around asia

Food markets around Asia sell a variety of traditional foods and specialties, and they are an important place to taste the local culture. Here, we introduce Asia's representative food markets and famous foods to buy there.

1. Japan

Tsukiji Fish Market
Location: Tokyo
Main food:
Sushi: You can taste a variety of sushi, including fresh fish sushi, tuna (maguro), salmon, and sea urchin.
Sashimi: Thinly sliced raw fish, eaten with wasabi and soy sauce.
Tamagoyaki: A Japanese omelette made with eggs, characterized by sweetness.
Nishiki Market
Location: Kyoto
Main food:
Yuba: A dish made from tofu skin, it is a traditional Kyoto dish.
Takoyaki: A small ball of dough with octopus, flavored with sauce and katsuobushi.
Kyoto's Pickled Food: Kyoto's specialty is a variety of vegetables pickled in salt or vinegar.

2. South Korea

Gwangjang Market
Location: Seoul
Main food:
Pancake: Traditional pancake made with mung bean, featuring a savory taste.
Drug Gimbap: A small and simple gimbap, eaten with sweet and spicy mustard sauce.
Tteokbokki: It is a national snack made by adding rice cakes and fish cakes to spicy red pepper paste sauce.
Namdaemun Market
Location: Seoul
Main food:
Hotteok: Sweet pancake-like food with sugar, honey, nuts, etc.
Sundae: It is a traditional Korean sausage made with glass noodles, vegetables, etc. in pig intestines.
Kalguksu: The noodles are thick and chewy, and it is a traditional Korean dish eaten with broth.

3. China

Huangpu River Night Market
Location: Shanghai
Main food:
xiaolongbao: A juicy dumpling in thin blood, it's Shanghai's signature dish.
Ta-da: It is a steamed dish wrapped in bamboo leaves with various ingredients in sticky rice, usually eaten during the holidays.
Shanghai Crab: A seasonal dish in autumn, it is famous for its dish made with snow crab.
Wangfujing Night Market
Location: Beijing
Main food:
Guotier: Beijing-style dumplings, crispy and juicy.
Beijing kaoya: A duck dish baked in the traditional way, it features a crispy crust and tender meat.
Tanghulu: A snack with fruit on a skewer and sugar syrup on it, its sweet and refreshing taste is impressive.

4. Thailand

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Location: Bangkok
Main food:
Pad thai: Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, tofu, peanuts, etc., and features a sweet and sour sauce.
Mango Sticky Rice: A rice cake with mango and coconut milk, it's a sweet dessert.
Somtam: A spicy papaya salad, it is a representative street food of Thailand.
Bangkok Night Market
Location: Bangkok
Main food:
Kaiyang: It's a barbecue dish, eaten with Thai sauce.
Tom Yum Kung: A spicy, sour Thai soup with shrimp, rich in spices.
Canom Krok: A small pancake made with coconut milk, it has a sweet and tender taste.

5. Vietnam

Ben Thanh Market
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Main food:
Banh mi: A sandwich made with meat, vegetables, coriander, sauce, etc. in a French baguette.
Pho: Pho, made with various ingredients in beef or chicken broth.
Goi Quon: Fresh spring rolls, wrapped in rice paper with vegetables, shrimp, and meat.
Dong Xuan Market
Location: Hanoi
Main food:
Bun Cha: This is Hanoi's signature dish with grilled pork and rice noodles served with sweet soup.
Chaka: A traditional Hanoi dish where fish is seasoned with turmeric and dill.
Nokkam: a sweet drink with coconut jelly, famous for its Vietnamese street desserts.

6. Malaysia

Penang Night Market
Location: Penang
Main food:
Nasirmak: Malaysia's signature breakfast with peanuts, anchovies, eggs, sambal sauce, etc. on rice made with coconut milk.
Chakwei Theo: Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, eggs, fish cake, bean sprouts, etc.
Rozak: A salad of fruits and vegetables mixed with red pepper paste, salted shrimp, and peanut sauce.
Kuala Lumpur Night Market
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Main food:
Sathe: Stuck various meats on skewers, roast them over charcoal, and dip them in peanut sauce.
Roti Chanai: A representative dish of Indian-Malaysian people who eat thin, crispy pancakes with curry.
Ice Kachang: a Malaysian dessert with various fruits, jelly, red beans, etc.

7. Indonesia

Pasar Baru Market
Location: Jakarta
Main food:
Nasi Goreng: Indonesian fried rice with soy sauce and various spices, and eggs, shrimp, chicken, etc. are added.
Satayam: A chicken skewer dish, eaten with peanut sauce.
Gado-Gado: A salad of vegetables and eggs mixed with peanut sauce, it's a traditional Indonesian dish.
Badung Market
Location: Bali
Main food:
Bobby Gooling: Bali's signature pork barbecue dish, which is slowly baked with spices and features a crispy crust and tender meat.
Migoreng: Stir-fried noodles, sweet and spicy sauce with a variety of ingredients.
Rawar: a traditional Balinese dish with vegetables and meat mixed with coconuts and spices.

These food markets are important places for travelers to experience the true taste of the region, as they are places where they can taste the cultures and traditional foods of each country in one place. They provide opportunities to purchase various dishes and specialties from each country and taste the unique flavors of the region.