Agoda Names Chiang Mai Asia’s Premier Culinary Destination

Digital travel platform Agoda has revealed that Chiang Mai has emerged as the top destination in Asia for culinary activities, based on activities booked on Agoda from January to March this year. Top 5 Culinary Destinations in Asia

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Hands-on cooking courses in local homes.
- Organic farm tours, coconut scraping, egg selection.
- Signature dishes: Khao Soi (coconut curry noodles), Kaeng Hang Lei (ginger-tamarind pork curry).

2. Bangkok, Thailand
- Cooking classes in Silom district.
- Market visits for fresh ingredients.
- Dishes: Tom Yum, Pad Thai, curries.
- Rotating menus by day for variety.

3. Hoi An, Vietnam
- Cam Thanh coconut water village experiences.
- Basket boat rides, crab fishing.
- Cooking classes with local chefs.
- Immersive countryside and cultural activities.

4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 3-course cooking classes highlighting Vietnamese heritage.
- Specialty egg coffee workshops.
- Mekong Delta day trips: coconut candy making, village food tastings.

5. Hanoi, Vietnam
- Dishes: Pho bo (beef noodle soup), Bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), Nem ran (fried spring rolls).
- Includes rice wine tastings, cookbooks, and certificates.

Travel Trend Insights
- Culinary experiences jumped into the top three motivators for Asian travelers in 2026, up from sixth place last year.
- Cooking classes are increasingly popular as immersive cultural experiences.
- Thailand and Vietnam dominate the list, reinforcing their reputation as culinary hubs of Asia.

Agoda’s Perspective
Krishna Rathi, Associate VP at Agoda, emphasized that food is a gateway to culture, and Agoda’s platform makes it easy to book activities, flights, and accommodations together for seamless travel.

Bottom line: Chiang Mai’s blend of tradition, innovation, and accessibility has earned it Agoda’s crown as Asia’s premier culinary destination, strengthening Thailand’s global reputation as a food lover’s paradise.