Destinations
The secret keepers of Japan’s cherry blossoms
For 16 generations, master gardeners in this one family have dedicated their lives to preserving one of the nation’s most cherished – and highly sought-out – symbols.
Asia fast food
The next fried-chicken craze?
For more than 70 years, this tiny restaurant has been dishing out its signature meal – Kethel’s fried chicken – Kerala’s spicy, finger-licking food.
Delhi’s opulent ‘snack of wealth’
Some vendors say moonlight and dew are the magic ingredients, but modern developments are moving this beloved sweet treat off the streets and into fine-dining restaurants.
India’s next big street-food craze?
For years, sattu flour, the main ingredient in a variety of unpretentious street snacks, has remained at the fringes of India’s urban foodscape – but now it’s going mainstream.
A strangely delicious black ‘soup’
Thiểu Ngô has been serving up a beloved black sesame pudding on the streets of Hoi An for more than half a century. Now his family are continuing his legacy.
The street food with a cult following
Combining two of Bangladesh’s greatest loves – rice and spice – jhal muri is a pungent snack prepared with drama by street-side vendors with cult followings.
A sweet Asian spin on BBQ
While yakitori and satay may be better known, the Philippines has their very own charcoal-grilled delicacies – whose distinctively sweet and tangy flavour unites the nation.
More Travel
Kulfi: India’s classic frozen dessert
Cardamom and pistachios flavour this smooth and creamy frozen treat, which has origins dating as far back as the 16th Century.
18 Jul 202316 Feb 2023
A walk through India’s ‘City of Death’
Hindu pilgrims have long come to Varanasi to die, believing that it will bring salvation. But by wandering aimlessly, Pico Iyer realises this city of death is actually a city of joy.
16 Feb 202322 Feb 2023
The herbal drink that powers a nation
A herbal tincture that originated in Java’s royal courts more than 1,300 years ago is being given a new twist by young Indonesians.
22 Feb 202323 Feb 2023
The university that changed the world
More than 500 years before Oxford University was founded, India’s Nalanda University was home to nine million books and attracted 10,000 students from around the world.
23 Feb 20233 Mar 2023
A blouse that unites Southeast Asia
There’s one garment in Southeast Asia that embodies fashion, heritage and national pride. And now the kebaya is being nominated to join Unesco’s Intangible Heritage List for 2023.
3 Mar 20237 Mar 2023
Gujiya: A pastry to celebrate Holi
The festive treat is flaky and crumbly on the outside, with a soft and sweet filling that can be made with a variety of ingredients like coconut, cashews and khoya (milk solids).
7 Mar 202318 Mar 2023
Shirini zereshk palau (berry pilaf)
A visually striking special occasion recipe, with ruby berries studding a bed of glossy, saffron-tinged rice that cradles juicy cuts of chicken.
18 Mar 202327 Mar 2023
The princess sisters who opened a hotel
Not only has Odisha’s Belgadia Palace been transformed into an award-winning boutique hotel, but its princess owners are redefining the role of Indian royalty.
27 Mar 202329 Mar 2023
The islanders who weave their dreams
For more than 300 years, women residing around a turquoise lake have woven textiles from visions they say were bestowed to them by a goddess in their dreams.
29 Mar 2023…
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