From Michelin-starred meals at The Ritz-Carlton hotels to local market delicacies, these Asian port cities warrant deep culinary exploration.
From Michelin-starred meals at The Ritz-Carlton hotels to local market delicacies, these Asian port cities warrant deep culinary exploration.
Asia boasts one of the planet’s most dynamic food scenes. You can dine on both humble and haute versions of dim sum in Hong Kong, ramen in Tokyo and nasi lemak, Malaysia’s signature rice dish, in Kuala Lumpur. Explore bustling food markets or experience Michelin-starred meals — many at The Ritz-Carlton hotels. Luminara journeys through the region’s most exciting and delicious urban food capitals, so you’ll want to arrive with an appetite.
Hong Kong
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has not one, but two Michelin-starred restaurants, both with unbeatable views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline. Tosca di Angelo celebrates the flavors of southern Italy and is committed to using ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the decadent pasta lunch featuring dishes such as Sardinian fregola with sustainable squid ink ragout. Two-star Tin Lung Heen serves Dim Sum and Cantonese fare in a dazzling dining room with sky-high ceilings. Splurge on the Michelin tasting menu, which might feature fried rice with crispy crab claw and caviar-topped abalone.
Singapore
The street food in Singapore is so good that even its humble hawker stalls have earned Michelin stars. Must-visit hawker centers include Amoy Street Food Centre in the Central Business District, Maxwell Food Centre in the heart of Chinatown and Tekka Market Food Centre in the Little India neighborhood. Each hawker hub offers a low-frills, multicultural dining experience that features dishes ranging from mee goreng (Indonesian style stir-fried noodles) to laksa (spicy coconut noodle soup). And if you prefer a more formal Michelin experience, you’ll find plenty of options, including Odette. Housed in the National Gallery Singapore, this French-influenced Asian fine dining spot was recently ranked the 14th best restaurant in the world.
Tokyo
Pristine sushi, slurpable ramen, perfectly grilled yakitori and nutty, hand-pulled soba. When it comes to perfecting a singular dish or style of cuisine, no city compares to Tokyo. You’ll find the absolute best execution of Japanese specialties throughout the city. To truly appreciate the art of sushi, rise early to visit Toyosu Market, the world’s largest wholesale fish market, and watch the tuna auction. Sushi aficionados should head to Sushi Yuu in the Roppongi district for an out-of-this-world omakase experience. For a creative culinary journey rooted in Japan’s hyper-seasonal, multi-course kaiseki style of dining, reserve ahead at Den, a Michelin-decorated restaurant in the Kagurazaka neighborhood. Ramen fans shouldn’t miss a meal at Seijo Seika in the Setagaya Ward.
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s bustling capital, just an hour from where Luminara docks at Port Klang, offers a fusion of complex flavors shaped by centuries of migration. The quintessential dish to try is nasi lemak, Malaysia’s national dish made of fragrant rice, coconut milk and pandan leaf, which you’ll find in Malay, Indian and Chinese variations. At Li Yen, the Michelin-decorated restaurant at the The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, authentic Chinese cuisine, like fried noodles and golden prawns, and Hong Kong-style dim sum, such as steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce, are beautifully presented like works of art. Innovative restaurant Eat and Cook presents a Malaysian take on omakase with dishes such as honey-glazed duck with duck liver, prawn, mussel and a century egg.
Bangkok
Thailand’s extraordinary capital, 80 miles from the port of Laem Chabang, is well worth the trip. Michelin awarded stars to 35 restaurants in Bangkok in 2024, including R.HAAN, Thai celebrity chef Chumpol Jangprai’s elevated riff on the traditional shared eating style of samrub. The first course doubles as a geography lesson: a map of Thailand drawn with salt and chili powder with five bites overlayed on the regions they come from. At Nusara, Thitid Tassanakajohn’s 10-course tasting menu pays homage to his grandmother’s cooking. The menu at Baan Tepa is inspired by chef Tam Debhakam’s travels around Thailand and showcases both regional ingredients and those harvested from an on-site garden.