From Street Eats to Fine Dining: Malaysians Rank Fourth in Asia’s Foodie Travel Scene

Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its ranking of Asian travellers that are the most passionate about culinary experiences during their travels. The findings, derived from a survey of Asian travellers as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, reveal that Malaysians travellers rank fourth among the top foodie travellers in Asia, with one in three Malaysians citing the discovery of new culinary experiences as a primary reason for travel.

Food is increasingly taking centre stage as a primary reason for travel, with more Asian travellers eager to explore destinations that offer unforgettable culinary experiences. This shift reflects a broader trend where gastronomy is becoming a significant motivator in choosing where to go, what to do and where to stay, as travellers seek to immerse themselves in the local food culture of their chosen destinations. Agoda’s survey results highlight this evolution, revealing that culinary experiences have climbed into the top three motivators for Asian travellers, jumping from sixth place last year.

Leading the list are travellers from Taiwan, with 47% indicating that culinary experiences are among their top reasons to travel. Vietnamese and South Korean travellers follow in second and third place, with 35% and 34% of respondents, respectively, emphasising their deep appreciation for diverse and flavourful cuisines while travelling.

Travellers from Malaysia and Japan rank fourth and fifth as Asia’s top foodies, with 33% and 32% of respondents, respectively, prioritising food in their travel itineraries. Finally, Indonesia (31%), Thailand (20%) and India (8%) round out the list of the top eight most flavour-forward travellers, showcasing their keen interest in exploring global cuisines.

Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda shared, “For many Malaysians, travel and food naturally go hand in hand. Whether it’s seeking out authentic street food, discovering regional specialties or planning trips around trending dining spots, culinary exploration plays a big role in how Malaysians experience the world. It’s no surprise to see Malaysia among Asia’s top foodie markets, given the country’s own rich and diverse food culture. Malaysia offers an incredible variety of local flavours whether it’s savouring Penang’s smoky char kway teow, indulging in Johor Bahru’s rich laksa Johor, exploring the Klang Valley’s iconic nasi lemak and vibrant street hawker favourites, tasting Terengganu’s fragrant nasi dagang and keropok lekor or enjoying Ipoh’s famous bean sprout chicken and white coffee in the ‘kopitiams’ of Old Town.”