Zoy's Top 5: 2024 Food Destinations

I’m listing down the five food destinations that blew my mind and enlarged my stomach in 2024 (check my Top 5 for 2023 here, 2022 here, and 2021 here). These are places that I’ve never been to, haven’t fully explored yet, or have been to but needs to be recognized again. It could be an eatery or restaurant, a hawker center or food court or food hall, a city or an area of it, or even an entire country.

But choosing only five is a difficult task so let me give you my honorable mentions (in alphabetical order) and my quick thoughts about it (click the link to see my review):

Cely’s Carinderia (San Fernando City, Pampanga, Philippines): Carinderia (eatery) that serves a wide range of Kapampangan food
Gubat (Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines): Open-air restaurant serving Filipino food on banana leaves and doesn’t provide utensils
Flipside Burgers (Various Locations in Metro Manila, Philippines): My favorite burger spot in the Metro
Kaokee Singaporean Kitchen (Various Locations in Metro Manila, Philippines): Delicious Singaporean food
Scratch (Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines): The best smashed burgers in the Metro that I’ve ever had
Toto e Peppino (Panglao, Bohol, Philippines): Serves delicious Italian food and their pizza is cooked in brick oven

Now, let’s start with Top 5…

5. Restoran Wong Mei Kee (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Restoran Wong Mei Kee is a restaurant that specializes in Cantonese roast meats. It received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition in the MICHELIN Guide’s inaugural launch in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Penang in December 2022. After this, food bloggers/vloggers have been featuring the restaurant, becoming a viral sensation.

Wong Mei Kee serves one of the best Cantonese roast meats not just in KL but maybe even in the entire world, I believe! Their crispy siew yok (pork belly), char siew (barbecue pork), and roasted chicken are all top-notch, and will probably the best versions you will ever have. So if you love Cantonese roast meats, this should be on your foodie bucketlist!

The Roast Meats of Restoran Wong Mei Kee

Address: 30 Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12PM-3PM | Contact No.: +60 3-2145 2512

4. Tony’s Restaurant (Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines)

Established in 1960, Tony’s Restaurant is a Chinese carinderia located in Grace Park, Caloocan City. They serve Chinese and Filipino dishes, not going below thirty dishes per day.

Tony’s Restaurant is one of the best carinderias I have ever tried in my life. While some dishes have room for improvements, the dishes are overall delicious.

The Chinese-Filipino Food of Tony’s Restaurant

Address: 8th Ave., Grace Park East, Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating House: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-8PM | Contact No.: 0905-2307784 | Facebook

3. Penang (Malaysia)

Penang is a state located north of KL, composed of a mainland and an island. Its capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to many historical structures such as British buildings and Chinese shophouses.

At Kimberly Street Night Market, George Town, Penang

But aside its rich history and architecture, Penang is also known for its food. In fact, it’s considered the food capital of Malaysia. From affordable street food to MICHELIN-rated spots, you will not run out of options for good food!

Check out the food guide by clicking the link below!

Related Articles:

2. Maxwell Food Centre (Singapore)

Maxwell Food Centre is one of the hawker centres located in Singapore’s Chinatown. It used to be a wet market (called Maxwell Market) until it transformed into a hawker centre in 1987. Today, it is home to many hawker stalls that feed people from different walks of life.

This hawker centre is popular (especially for tourists) probably due to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (read my review here), which was visited by celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay. While Tian Tian is good, there are many other hawker stalls that are worth trying!

The Amazing Hawker Food at Maxwell Food Centre

Related Article: Maxwell Food Centre Guide: Hawker Stalls to Try at One of the Most Popular Hawker Centres in Singapore!

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St., Singapore | Website

1. Auntie Gaik Lean's Old School Eatery (Penang, Malaysia)

Named after its female owner and chef, Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery is a one MICHELIN-starred Peranakan restaurant. It’s the first in Malaysia and the second in the world, with Singapore’s Candlenut being the first one. But unlike Candlenut that serves a modern interpretation of Peranakan dishes, Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery offers traditional recipes.

To the uninitiated, Peranakan refers to a people group with Chinese and Malay heritage. So imagine the blend of its cuisines and flavors!

Peranakan Food at Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery

Auntie Gaik Lean Old School Eatery is really deserving of its MICHELIN Star. To know why, check out my review by clicking the link below!

Address: 1 Bishop Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12:00-2:30PM & 6:00-9:30PM | Contact No.: +60 17-434 4398 | Facebook | Instagram

What are your Top 5 food destinations for 2024? What food did you try there? Comment below! I might visit those destinations next.