7 Essential Tips on Food Managing While Traveling to Asia

The travel industry has seen an impressive growth over the past few years. More people are visiting other places for all sorts of reasons like family vacations and business-related activities. In 2014, the number of international tourists increased by 51 million from the previous year. That is a notable improvement that tourism advocates are considering as a sign of industry boom. To use the words of UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai: “Over the past years, tourism has proven to be a surprisingly strong and resilient economic activity and a fundamental contributor to the economic recovery by generating billions of dollars in exports and creating millions of jobs.” This has especially been true for the Asian region, which saw more than a 5% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2014. In fact, China ranked third in the list of the most in-demand tourist destinations. It was only outdone by France and the United States. Tourism forecasts for 2030 predict that North East Asia will be the most visited destination in the world. All of these facts and figures only prove that Asia is becoming a hot tourist spot. It will only be a matter of time before the region becomes the number one destination for leisure and business travels.

If you’re considering Asia for your next vacation, good for you. There’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy the temples of Thailand, the beaches in the Philippines, and the mega cities of Singapore. If you’re a Westerner who has never seen Asian culture in action, you’re up for an informative, eye-opening, and memorable experience. There is really nothing like Asia. This region will leave you breathless with its raw beauty .

Once you’re in Asia, you’ll find food to be a temptation. Asian cuisine is one to leave your taste buds excited that you may find yourself craving for local flavors. Of course, if your vacation is planned down to the last cent, this can take a toll on your budget. Learn the different budgeting techniques that you can employ to save money on food. Here are some traveling tips to help you make the most of your vacation without breaking the bank.

Lay out a food map beforehand.

Expenses can quickly add up, so if you don’t want to be surprised by the amount of money you’ll have to shell out, you should set a specific budget for each travel expense. Food is especially an important concern so make sure you allot a smart and slightly flexible budget for this one. It’s best if you do a little research before arriving in your destination. Check out the websites of local restaurants and tourism offices to get an idea of how much you’ll be spending on food. Also, it will save you a lot if you bring reusable water bottles and tupperware for storing food. Not everything needs to be bought outside. Bring snacks if you can.

Avoid room service like the plague.

Ringing up room service in your hotel is an easy way to set fire to your hard-earned vacation budget. Food on hotels can be quite expensive if they’re not part of the package. Free breakfasts are an exception, of course. You can altogether avoid the temptation and illusory convenience of room service by considering rental spaces. Why not rent a condo or apartment while staying abroad? It will undoubtedly save you a lot especially if you get a rental space with a kitchen. You can just buy and prepare your own food instead of paying extra to let others do it for you.

Take a stroll to the farmer’s market.

One good thing about staying in a rental space is the close proximity to establishments like groceries and supermarkets. If you’re staying in a place for more than five days, hotels are really out of the picture. A condo or apartment with kitchen will give you more room to wiggle around budget-wise. You can visit the local grocery shop to buy some staple food you can experiment on. Expect to see a lot of grains, legumes, spices, fruits, and vegetables. You should be ready to try these all out to have a more immersive experience of Asia.

Try a local diet .

If you have never eaten anything Asian before, the flavors of Asia will surely add new vocabularies to your palate. Of course, this can either be a good thing or a bad thing. If you’re so used to Western food that your taste buds reject Asian cuisine, you will have a big problem stretching your budget for the entirety of your vacation. Western food in Asia can be a bit pricey. Try to ditch the burger and fries for a while and feast on Japanese ramen or Filipino adobo. Try to eat as much local food as you can.

Take all the discounts you can get.

The difference between a careless spender and a budget-conscious tourist is the number of opportunities the latter can see to save money. Discounts abound if you just know how and where to look. Find deals online where you can get coupons and promo codes. Be on the lookout for restaurants and bars that offer discounts on weekdays and off periods. If you’re bringing kids with you, search for restaurants with free meal offerings for the little ones. When your wallet starts to become thick with receipts, you’ll understand how small savings can be a big help down the road.

Taste, don’t devour.

Yes, Asian food is magically enticing, but that’s no reason for you to be a glutton and pig out in every meal. Controlling food intake can do wonders to your budget. Remember, your goal as a foodie traveler is not to eat everything but to taste and appreciate small portions of everything. It’s more about satisfying your curiosity and introducing new flavors to your palate than filling your stomach and mindlessly stuffing your mouth with food. Besides, traveling around Asia isn’t all about eating. It’s about capturing memories and experiences that last a lifetime. So don’t overthink your next meal. You have a lot of food choices to taste and appreciate for the first time.

Learn the local tongue.

This may seem both vague and encompassing, but learning a local language can save you many troubles. Buy a phrase book before the trip and try to learn as many conversational phrases as possible. Knowing the local word for a specific food can help you follow your diet . Equipped with a few rehearsed phrases, you can ask locals about the different restaurants around town that offer exactly the kind of food you want. You can also try to learn the local phrases for “please” and “thank you” as a courtesy.

Staying in Asia for a few days or weeks doesn’t have to be financially stressful. As long as you know how your money flows, you’ll be fine. Be sure to take the tips above to save on food and have more money for other expenses like transportation, accommodation, leisure activities, and even small souvenirs. With a carefully planned and strictly carried out budget, you can make your trip to Asia memorable and fun.