From farm to table: Heartwarming comfort foods for green season and beyond

As the foliage of Southeast Asia blooms during green season, restaurants and cafes alike fill with customers savouring the fresh produce in their favourite dishes.

It’s a special time of year, when the short rains bring cooler temperatures and rice paddies, vegetable farms and fruit fields burst into life. With the weather transformation brings an abundance of culinary delights including special seasonal ingredients beloved by local residents.

For travellers, food is a great way to experience traditions and witness the rhythms of daily life in Southeast Asia. Whether tucking into a warm bowl of sweet coconut milk or gathering around a table-top barbecue, the seasonal favourites vary by the individual and destination but the sentiment remains the same: everyone is seeking out a cosy, delicious meal to enjoy with friends and family.

One of the remarkable aspects of Vietnam is its diversity of cuisine. Along with well-known savoury dishes like pho and banh mi, the country boasts a range of sweet desserts with unique regional flavour profiles.

The best beginning for a day exploring Vietnam starts at an early morning market, taking in the array of exotic spices and fresh produce. Then settle in a cosy cafe with a cup of decadent egg coffee, a combination of sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and coffee. For an added local touch, dip toasted bread—a common practice in Vietnamese breakfast culture.?

After lunch, seek out a bowl of che, a traditional Vietnamese dessert available in many forms from sweet soups to puddings, alongside schoolkids eager for their after-class treat. On cooler days, grilled bananas with tapioca pearls in a warm coconut cream (Che Chuoi) is the perfect indulgence.

Discover the bounds of Vietnamese cuisine on our food-inspired journey here.

Turning up the heat with Thailand’s bold flavoured grills

For an authentic late-night Thai culinary adventure, follow the aromas of sizzling meats and clink of glasses. Thai barbecue (moo krata), shabu and ‘jim jum’ are a staple in Thai cuisine as the most popular restaurant style for locals to revel beside the warmth of the fire.?

These self-cooking burners are the Thai version of ‘all-you-can-eat buffets’ and the frequent celebratory location for holidays and birthdays. Most commonly filled with college students seeking relief from a late-night study session, these restaurants are ideal for travellers who enjoy long meals spent with friends.

Choose between a grill/soup combo paired with an array of spicy and sweet sauces or a clay pot of fresh herb broth. Ingredients are based on the preferences of the diner, selected from a checklist or buffet. Don't forget to check out the ice cream station for a cool finish.?

For more inspiring Thai culinary experiences, click here.

Malaysia's flavourful melting pot

Experiencing the cuisine of Malaysia is a historical journey as it reflects the mixture of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences amongst other ethnicities in its wide variety of flavours. From dim sum to masala curries, this destination offers no shortage of options for travellers to indulge in new tastes.

Follow the aromas of Indian tandoori spices to arrive at a Mamak stall and sample Indian-Muslim cuisine passed down generationally. Nasi kandar, with its array of curries, gravies and other side dishes served over a bed of steaming rice is perfect for a quick flavour-rich meal between attractions. Or veer into the world of sichuan peppercorns and dark soy sauce with Malaysia’s Chinese cuisine, specialised in areas like Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant Chinatown. Refuel with delectable hokkien mee noodles after exploring the district’s ancestral shrines and hidden old shop houses.

Discover a taste of Malaysia’s culinary opportunities here.

These are just a small sample of the fun, flavourful experiences that await in EXO’s eleven destinations. Our team of travel curators design custom journeys to match every traveller’s personal interests, from gourmands to street food fanatics and everyone in between. Visit our website for more travel inspiration and reach out to our team to start planning.