Foodies, take note: Top 10 hottest food cities in the world, with Asian cities taking four spots

Tokyo, Japan ranks as the third most popular food city among users of a global hotel booking website. (Photo / Provided by our newspaper)

A global trend has emerged where travelers record their experiences through their taste buds. According to a survey by a global hotel booking website, 75% of travelers consider whether a destination is known for its cuisine when choosing their next travel spot. The newly released list of the world’s 10 most popular food travel cities features four Asian cities in the rankings, with Hong Kong taking the top spot, followed by Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.

Global hotel booking website Booking.com, based on a worldwide user recommendation survey, found that among over 118 million traveler reviews on its site, “food”-related content dominated numerous reviews. Over 75% of respondents stated that they choose travel destinations renowned for their delicious cuisine, with millennials aged 18 to 34 placing the greatest emphasis on combining food with travel. Nearly 80% of travelers prefer visiting well-known food destinations. In addition, almost one in every 10 people has embarked on a trip in the past year specifically to enjoy fine dining.

The booking website also released the latest list of the world’s 10 most popular food travel cities, with four Asian cities making the cut. Hong Kong’s dim sum, São Paulo’s Brazilian barbecue, and Tokyo — home to an astonishing number of Michelin-starred restaurants — are the most beloved by travelers, claiming the top three spots. The full ranking is as follows: Athens, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Bangkok, Granada, Las Vegas, Buenos Aires.