Table of contentsClick link to navigate to the desired location
Vegetarian Festival (Phuket, Thailand)Tokyo Ramen Fest (Japan)Ubud Food Festival (Bali, Indonesia)Watermelon Festival (Chinchilla, Australia)Truffle Festival (France)Monkey Buffet Festival (Lopburi, Thailand)Aro Wine Festival (Spain)Night of the Radishes in Mexico (Oaxaca, Mexico)Durian Festival in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia)La Tomatina Culinary Festival (Buñol, Spain)Paella Cooking Championship (Valencia, Spain)Mistura Food Festival (Lima, Peru)Predator Food Festival (Tokyo, Japan)Chef Fest (Hawaii, USA)Savor Food Festival (Singapore)Gastronomic Festival (Dubai, UAE)Kimchi Festival (Seoul, South Korea)Crazy Ice Cream Festival (Kyiv, Ukraine)
This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
During travels to different countries around the world, in addition to enjoying the scenery and learning about cultures, most tourists wish to immerse themselves in the local cuisine as much as possible. Visiting a market, a local restaurant, or having a toast with locals in a pub are very valuable experiences that form the basis of culinary tourism. The same can be said for culinary festivals that take place in many locations around the world, offering a wide range of extraordinary experiences. It’s an opportunity to taste delicacies that your taste buds have never encountered before, learn new cooking methods, new technologies, and extreme ingredients.
Vegetarian Festival (Phuket, Thailand)
A 9-day event held annually on the island of Phuket in Thailand during the ninth month of the Chinese calendar. This is a time when local devotees refrain from meat and certain stimulants to cleanse their body and mind.
This festival is famous for its spectacular rituals. In street processions, participants often walk in a trance, run over hot coals, and climb 8-meter ladders made of blades.
In addition to the visual spectacle of this festival, visitors will be able to taste vegetarian dishes sold at street stalls throughout the island. Many of these vegetarian dishes are hard to distinguish from regular Thai meat dishes – they even look and taste exactly like meat. However, soy products and protein substitutes replace pork, chicken, or fish in them.
Tokyo Ramen Fest (Japan)
An annual festival held in Tokyo that brings together ramen shops from across the country. Each of them offers its unique take on this legendary soup - from a richly spiced tonkotsu pork broth to a delicate shio broth. Besides food, the festival includes entertainment, workshops, and competitions.
Ubud Food Festival (Bali, Indonesia)
An event held annually in the heart of Ubud, gathering renowned chefs, local suppliers, and food enthusiasts from around the world. It’s an immersive culinary journey through Indonesia's diverse culinary heritage: from spicy rendang to aromatic sate ayam madura. The festival also offers cooking workshops, tours with local gourmets, and discussions that provide insights into the ingredients, cooking methods, and history of each dish.
Watermelon Festival (Chinchilla, Australia)
In the small town of Chinchilla in Australia, an unusual festival centered around the watermelon is celebrated every two years. Participants pay tribute to the watermelon growing industry in the region by organizing a series of events and competitions related to these fruits. From watermelon skiing to watermelon bungee, watermelon ironman, or watermelon tossing. The festival fosters a sense of community and showcases the ingenuity and creativity of the residents in celebrating the watermelon harvest.
Truffle Festival (France)
In the picturesque town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, located in the heart of the Perigord region of France, the black diamond of local gastronomy - the truffle - is honored. This European festival, held annually during the winter months when the truffle season is in full swing, attracts truffle enthusiasts from around the world. The town hosts a truffle market where exhibitors present the best samples, and experts share their knowledge about truffle cultivation and harvesting methods. Chefs demonstrate how to incorporate truffles into various dishes: from creamy risottos to exquisite chocolate truffles, while local chefs compete in truffle-themed culinary contests. The atmosphere of the festival is infused with the pungent aroma of truffles, providing all participants with unforgettable olfactory and taste sensations.
Monkey Buffet Festival (Lopburi, Thailand)
This unique event gathers locals and tourists to pay homage to the macaques that inhabit the city in large numbers. This quirky festival is held annually and includes extravagant banquets prepared for the monkeys on the streets, in parks, and temples of Lopburi. The festival also features colorful parades, traditional performances, and cultural exhibitions showcasing the rich heritage of Lopburi and its main inhabitants. Towers of fruits, vegetables, and sweets are carefully arranged to delight the primates and ensure their prosperity and well-being.
Aro Wine Festival (Spain)
Battalla del Vino or Wine Battle - a unique celebration that involves dousing each other with gallons of wine, creating an interesting and spontaneous spectacle. The festivities begin with a procession to the hill of San Felices de Bilibio, where a mass is held to bless the wine. Then revelers, armed with buckets, water guns, and sprayers, engage in an epic wine fight, immersing themselves from head to toe in red splendor.
Night of the Radishes in Mexico (Oaxaca, Mexico)
In the charming city of Oaxaca, Mexico, an original event is held annually on December 23, transforming these humble bulbous vegetables into works of art. Intricate carved images of giant radishes depict scenes from local folklore, religious themes, and everyday life. Farmers and artisans strive to make their creations as interesting as possible, competing for awards and recognition in various categories. The festival also includes traditional music, dance performances, and a fair where visitors can taste local delicacies and purchase handmade crafts.
Durian Festival in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia)
In the tropical region of Southeast Asia, the most beloved yet simultaneously hated (mostly by tourists) fruit of the region - durian - is celebrated. There are many varieties of durian, each with its unique taste and aroma. Creamy and sweet Musang King or slightly bitter and fragrant D24 - you will be able to taste the most diverse durians and discover your favorites. The festival, usually held annually from June to August, attracts durian lovers from around the world who gather to enjoy its sharp, creamy flesh.
La Tomatina Culinary Festival (Buñol, Spain)
La Tomatina - this chaotic festival, held annually in mid-August, gathers tens of thousands of participants from around the world who come together to throw overripe tomatoes at each other. Before the fight begins, one of the participants must climb a soap-covered pole and retrieve a ham hanging from it. Regardless of its origins, the festival has become a beloved cultural event that attracts both thrill-seekers and travelers.
Paella Cooking Championship (Valencia, Spain)
This culinary duel, where chefs from around the world compete to create the perfect paella, takes place annually in the picturesque Albufera Natural Park. Participants vie for top honors by preparing traditional paellas and innovative variations. Chefs work their magic over open flames, transforming rice, saffron, and local seafood into culinary masterpieces.
Mistura Food Festival (Lima, Peru)
This annual event brings together the best chefs and food suppliers from Peru to showcase the richness of ingredients and flavors sourced from across the country. From ceviche to anticuchos - visitors can taste a variety of Peruvian dishes, each representing its geographical region. The festival also includes culinary demonstrations, cooking competitions, and educational seminars that provide insights into Peru's culinary traditions.
Predator Food Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
In the capital of Japan, meat lovers celebrate Niku Fes - the largest predator festival. Every year, this paradise for meat lovers gathers the best chefs, barbecue enthusiasts, and meat vendors from all over Japan to showcase their best farm-raised samples and cooking methods. From juicy wagyu beef to sizzling yakitori skewers - you can enjoy a wide array of grilled delicacies, accompanied by a wide selection of sauces and spices. Culinary competitions, meat processing demonstrations, and tasting seminars entertain and educate meat enthusiasts.
Chef Fest (Hawaii, USA)
A week-long celebration of food, wine, and the spirit of aloha - a prestigious event held at the luxurious resorts of Hawaii, featuring exclusive dinners, culinary demonstrations, and interactive workshops led by renowned chefs and sommeliers. Visitors can enjoy delicious multi-course dishes prepared with the freshest seafood, tropical fruits, and local ingredients paired with exquisite wines and spirits from around the world. In addition to its culinary offerings, Chef Fest provides an opportunity to experience Hawaiian culture and hospitality through traditional lei-making (colorful garlands), hula performances, and trips to picturesque parts of the archipelago.
Savor Food Festival (Singapore)
A gastronomic extravaganza held annually that brings together the best local and international chefs showcasing their culinary creations in a vast outdoor venue. From street food to haute cuisine - participants can taste dishes from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan cuisines. Culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, and mixology workshops entertain and educate food lovers of all levels.
Gastronomic Festival (Dubai, UAE)
An annual event that showcases multicultural preferences. This culinary celebration lasts several weeks and includes a series of events aimed at all food lovers and cooks. From Michelin-starred chefs to local street vendors, the festival showcases a wide range of cuisines: from Middle Eastern delicacies to dishes from international fusion cuisine. The festival also includes culinary competitions, chef performances, and interactive workshops.
Kimchi Festival (Seoul, South Korea)
This beloved annual event is dedicated to the country's iconic fermented cabbage dish - kimchi. Rows of tables line the streets of Seoul where participants gather to roll up their sleeves and gain hands-on experience in making kimchi under the guidance of experienced masters. From washing and salting the cabbage to preparing the spicy chili paste. After making kimchi, participants have the opportunity to donate some of it through charitable organizations. In addition to kimchi-making sessions, the festival offers a wide range of events and attractions. You can explore stalls showcasing various types of kimchi: from traditional napa cabbage to regional delicacies made with radishes, cucumbers, and even seafood.
Crazy Ice Cream Festival (Kyiv, Ukraine)
For several years now, the “Ministry of Shawarma” (Petra Sahaydachnoho St., 37) in Kyiv has been hosting a fair of unusual ice cream from May 26 to 28, featuring:
- grilled chicken with mango confit;
- smoked salmon with red caviar and dill;
- avocado and lime on coconut water (vegan);
- amber Georgian wine with parmesan and hazelnuts;
- feta with olives and red wine sauce;
- beer with bergamot;
- mascarpone with truffle and apricot jam;
- tea rose;
- walnut with pomegranate;
- white mushrooms with lingonberry;
- corn with caramelized popcorn;
- masala chai with red Sicilian orange;
- kombucha with pieces of pear.
This event also features the famous tempura fried ice cream, popular in Japanese, Chinese, and Mexican cuisines. Such desserts are made from ice cream balls that are frozen solid using shock cooling cabinets. They are then coated with nuts, coconut flakes, or batter. After that, they are quickly deep-fried, creating a warm crispy shell around still cold ice cream. To produce, store temperature, and showcase this dessert to customers, special fried ice cream freezers are used. So, to taste it, there’s no need to leave Ukraine.
This post doesn't have any additions from the author yet.
