If you have a taste for the fruit of the seas, then Southeast Asia's coastline can offer you the best. Here's a selection of places to sample the freshest gastronomic delights....
So, you've embarked on a culinary-inspired journey to Southeast Asia and your first destination is the buzzing metropolis of Hong Kong. If you chose the district of Kowloon, and you've settled into one of our highly recommended hotels (Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hotel), you'll be glad to hear that wondrous seafood awaits you just around the corner. Head for Hutong, on the 28th floor of 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. This modern highrise hides a jem of a restaurant on the top floor, with antique carved wooden furniture. Soak in the cityscape as you tuck into delicacies such as: Drunken Crab (marinated in Chinese wine for three days), followed by Crispy Soft-Shelled Crab with Sichuan Red Chilli. Wash down with a light lychee wine.
If your next stop is Vietnam, and you're staying at the Hoi An Riverside Resort, then you must head into town, and find Brother's Cafe. With a bustling atmosphere and stunning garden next to the River Do, you can kickback and enjoy the highly-recommended White Rose (steamed Shrimp in rice paper), washed down with a French wine from Brothers extensive menu.
Further south to the Philippines, you should sample the capital city of Manila's finest culinary delights - and you won't even have to step outside your resort if you book into the Makati Shangri La. At the hotel's Inagiku Restaurant, you'll be served by Master Sushi Chef, Wataru Hikawa. Choose from Kaiseki dishes including fresh Aburi Engawa (lightly grilled flatfish), market fresh Honmaguro Toro (blue fin tuna belly) and soft shell crab.
On the southern-most destination of your Asian tour, you'll want to take in the splendour of Bali, and if you're in search of sea-faring culinary delicacies, head to the southern peninsular, Jimbaran Bay. Jimbaran is renowned for it's thriving fishing industry, so if you happen to book into a Beachfront Cottage Suite at the Puri Bali Luxury Hotel, why not stroll down to the Kedongan fish market, pick up some Snapper, lobster or prawns and cook up a treat in the privacy of your own villa.
If Singapore is the last leg of your Southeast Asia tour, then you're in for a treat if you visit in July, when the annual Singapore Food Festival takes place. Featuring an exciting line-up of weekly core events, culinary workshops and competitions, this month-long food festival witnesses Singapore embracing multi-cultural cuisine. The most adventurous of your party should look out for a Fish Head Curry (everything on the fish head, including the eyeballs and lip), served in spicy gravy, fresh whole tomatoes, belachan, tamarind and just the right hints of sweetness balanced against tanginess, the meat from the fish head is exceedingly smooth in texture and taste). You must try Laksa (gravy soup - it should have just the right amount of coconut milk to give it its characteristic mouth-watering aroma. Complete with, thick white noodles and topped with cockles, eggs, prawns and sliced fish cake), Laksa is a national favourite. There are of course, many more exemplary seafaring delights to be found, so just follow the coast, and you'll be sure to pick up the freshest, succulent surprises...
