Zoy's Top 5: 2025 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 2024 here, 2023 here, and 2022 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):

Baker on East
Chef RV Cafe
La Chinesca
Luyong Restaurant
Mac’s Diner
Marino’s Eatery
Nancy’s Kitchen
Pak Putra
Tiong Bahru Market
The Lost Cow

Now, let’s start with Top 5…

5. Fa Ge Lok Lok 发哥禄禄 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

Literally “to dip”, Lok-lok is a Malaysian street food experience similar to like hotpot or steamboat except that the items are on skewers. But Fa Ge Lok Lok specializes in deep-fried lok-lok.

All skewers are masterfully deep-fried. My favorites are the bacon-wrapped sausages, pork belly, intestines, broccoli (yes, they also fry vegetables), and wood-ear mushrooms.

Address: 32 Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | Operating Hours: Daily, 8PM-3AM

4. Toho Panciteria Antigua (Manila, Philippines)

Established in 1888, Toho Panciteria Antigua (sometimes spelled as To Ho) is the oldest restaurant in the Philippines. It’s located in Manila Chinatown, which happens to be the oldest Chinatown in the world! (By the way, I wrote a Manila Chinatown Food Guide. Check it out here.)

My favorites here are their Asado (barbecue pork), Toho Chicken, and Lumpiang Shanghai (deep-fried spring rolls).

Counter clockwise starting from the upper left: *Asado*, *Lumpiang* Shanghai, Toho Chicken (we asked its sauce to be separated), and *Chop Suey* (stir-fried vegetables)

This is easily one of the best panciterias (spots that serve Filipino-Chinese food) I’ve ever tried. They serve good food, and their place is nice and clean compared to others. Most importantly, it has more than a century of history; nothing beats dining in a historic establishment!

Address: 422 Tomas Pinpin St., Binondo, City of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-8PM; Sunday, 9AM-3PM | Contact No.: (02) 8242-0294

3. Dian Xiao Er (Singapore)

Dian Xiao Er is a chain of Chinese restaurants that specializes on Herbal Roast Duck. Their version is the world’s number one herbal roast duck in 2023 according to Frost & Sullivan’s global market research on herbal roast duck sales volume.

Their herbal roast duck is delicious! It has crisp skin, succulent and tender meat, and a pleasant herbal flavor.

Other dishes are also good, such as the Roasted Iberico Char Siew, Steamed Cod Fish with Soy Sauce, and Thunder Tea Fried Rice.

For Dian Xiao Er branches and operating times, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their Website.

2. Kek Eng Kee Seafood (Singapore)

This restaurant is one of the most popular zi char (Chinese home-style dishes or meals that are cooked upon order) spots in all of Singapore. has been included in the MICHELIN Guide, visited by food experts such as Mark Wiens and the late Anthony Bourdain, and featured in Netflix’s Street Food.

Kek Eng Kee Seafood at Alexandra Village

Everything we ordered in Kek Eng Kee was delicious. These include Claypot Pig Liver, Coffee Ribs, and their signature Moonlight Hor Fun (stir-fried wide rice noodles).

For Kek Eng Kee Seafood branches and operating times, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their Website.

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the top food cities in the world! This global city is home to dim sum spots, roast meats shops, and other Cantonese food spots, as well as restaurants offering authentic international cuisines. Without a doubt, THIS is easily my number one food destination in this list!

The View of the Hong Kong Skyline from Victoria Peak

My top three favorite spots here starting with the third place:

3. Passione: This is a takeaway stall that specializes in Focaccia bread and Panini sandwiches. And let me just say it right away: They make the best focaccia I’ve ever tried! It’s crisp outside and fluffy inside!

Left: Build-It-Yourself Panini; Upper Right: Inside Passione’s Takeout Shop; Lower Right: Pepperoni Focaccia Pizza

2. Oi Man Sang: This food spot is a Dai Pai Dong (literally “big license plate stall”), which are open-air, street side stalls serving Cantonese dishes. Located in the Sham Shui Po area, Oi Man Sang is also one of the oldest dai pai dongs in the city, founded in 1956.

Left to Right: Deep-Fried Squid with Salted Egg Yolk, Stir-Fried Beef Fillet and Potatoes in Black Pepper Sauce, and Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetable with Garlic

1. Mashi No Mashi: From the people behind WAGYUMAFIA, Mashi No Mashi is a ramen brand that boasts of serving the world’s first 100% wagyu ramen. It originated in Hong Kong and has expanded to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Singapore, and Tokyo (Japan), among many others. Each international branch has exclusives on its menu. We tried almost all of their wagyu items, which are all outstanding. This is easily one of our best meals in HK!

Left: Tokusei Wagyu Tsukemen; Upper Right: Wagyu Donburi; Lower Right: Wagyu Gyoza

What are your Top 5 food destinations for 2025? What food did you try there? Comment below! I might visit those destinations next.