| The very heart of your Asian vacation isn't the | | | | "normal" restaurants, including wild game, insects, |
| exotic locale, the invigorating massages, the | | | | and parts of animals that you never knew you |
| majestic ancient temples, or even the warm, | | | | could eat. |
| friendly people. It's the food. When you're at | | | | Desserts are not to be missed. Unlike the rich, |
| home, food is a centerpiece of activity and | | | | gooey, chocolatey sweets of America, Asians |
| fun-the backyard cookout, the Friday evenings | | | | tend towards the lighter, more delicate tastes in |
| with friends, or the romantic dinner. When you're | | | | sweets. A Chinese sweet red bean bun is very |
| on vacation, it will be even more memorable if | | | | tempting (and does not have the usual |
| you keep food enjoyment high on your list of | | | | disagreeable side effect that beans often do). |
| priorities. | | | | Japanese sweets (wa-gashi) also frequently use |
| Food is more than mere sustenance. It is a social | | | | sweet bean paste and are quite delicate. In |
| experience, and a sensory treat that will be | | | | Thailand, you may enjoy bua loy naam qing |
| remembered long after you return home. Asia is | | | | (literally, "floating lotuses in ginger water"), which |
| well-known for its exotic cuisine, and no Asian | | | | delivers an enjoyable contrast between the |
| vacation would be complete without thoroughly | | | | strong ginger tea and the delicate rice flour |
| enjoying the food. In every major Asian city, | | | | sesame balls floating within. |
| you'll find your usual array of the familiar favorites | | | | Often overlooked are the unusual tropical fruits |
| from back home: KFC, McDonalds, Sizzler, and so | | | | found throughout Asia. If you think of fruit as |
| on-but why not enhance your foray into the | | | | apples and watermelons, think again-the taste of |
| unknown with something new on the menu? | | | | the lichi, mangosteen, and rambutan are |
| The cuisine is as varied as the continent, ranging | | | | incomparable and a sheer delight to the senses. |
| from the aromatic curries of India, to the | | | | Beware of the infamous durian though, the |
| fiery-hot tom yum goong of Thailand, to the | | | | heavy, spiky "king of fruits" that has a decidedly |
| European-influenced Macanese cuisine found in the | | | | foul, almost fishy smell and is definitely an |
| Chinese autonomous region of Macau. Wherever | | | | acquired taste. |
| you travel, you'll find unique and fresh ingredients, | | | | You'll find that in most Asian countries, meals are |
| presented delightfully in authentic surroundings and | | | | very social, and are often served to your table |
| delivered by friendly, smiling staff. | | | | communally, as opposed to the Western style of |
| You'll find your environment as memorable as the | | | | each person ordering individual dishes. Don't be |
| food itself. You may find yourself sitting under a | | | | surprised if your host serves you and continues |
| straw roof, sitting cross-legged and eating off of | | | | to refresh your drink throughout the meal. Bone |
| a banana leaf, or enjoying the most elegant, | | | | up on how to use chopsticks. Here's a chopstick |
| five-star posh surroundings you've ever | | | | etiquette tip: You'll sometimes see diners at |
| witnessed. And don't neglect the local specialties. A | | | | inexpensive restaurants rubbing together the |
| meal of dim sum ("yum cha" in Cantonese) in a | | | | chopsticks before eating. This is done when using |
| Hong Kong tea house is an event unto itself that | | | | the inexpensive, wooden disposable chopsticks, to |
| will never be forgotten. Take a boat cross the | | | | make sure there are no splinters. Avoid rubbing |
| bay to Macau for a trip back to old Europe, | | | | your chopsticks together at somebody's home or |
| where you can enjoy High Tea in the afternoon, | | | | at an upscale restaurant, as it would be |
| and one of the country's characteristic egg tart | | | | considered an insult-you're saying that the |
| specialties. And when you tour Japan, you'll | | | | chopsticks are inferior when you do that. But, not |
| discover that there are dozens of different | | | | every Asian country uses them. Thais eat |
| varieties of sukiyaki, which is customarily cooked | | | | European-style with a fork and spoon. In China, |
| right at the table. | | | | you'll use chopsticks, but will never see a knife at |
| You'll also find very informal street cafes | | | | your place setting, because it is considered |
| throughout most of Asia, which are little more | | | | aggressive. In some very rural parts of Asia, such |
| than a handful of plastic tables and chairs on the | | | | as in the Laotian countryside, you'll eat with your |
| sidewalk, overlooking a kitchen that consists of a | | | | fingers. But regardless of how you convey the |
| propane tank and a wok. If you're adventurous | | | | food from plate to mouth, you're in for a real |
| enough to try one of these places, you're likely to | | | | treat. |
| find very local cuisine that you can't find in the | | | | |