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Flying to Asia? Making Singapore your first stop can add terrific value. Here’s how to do it.

Hyunhee Lee, head pastry chef at Tartine’s outposts in the Korean capital, shares her take on the city’s dessert evolution.

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San Francisco is joining the roster of cities participating in this annual United Nations-supported project, which offers refugee chefs a place to prepare their signature dishes.

The capital of Malaysia has become a hotbed of art and design. Kuala Lumpur’s most influential residents guide AFAR through five of the city’s creatively charged neighborhoods.

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First step: Pinkies up. Next step: Bottoms up, too.

Overview

Overview

For an authentic, vegetarian, South Indian dosa fix, head to the oldest Indian restaurant in Singapore. Order at the counter, pick up your drinks, choose a table and await the delivery of your dosa: a large crispy lentil pancake served with a few different curries for dipping. The deservedly famous Ananda Bhavan now has multiple branches in Little India. My favorite location on Syed Alwi Road is open 24 hours, which is convenient as dosa is the perfect late-night snack.

As my friend once eloquently stated, “Chutneys leaves you blissfully exhausted from the amount of goodness.” The popular spot is known for its variety of South Indian delicacies, including dosas, idlis, various dishes served in banana leaves, and (surprise, surprise) several varieties of chutney. The restaurant has a few locations, though Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills seem to be the most popular. Be prepared to wait—though the Steamed Dosa and Bhaghai Idli are well worth it.

Dosas, thalis, and tiffins! Saravana Bhavan specializes in South Indian cuisine. Each dosa comes with unlimited sambar and three chutneys - the tomato chutney being the house favorite. It is authentic, vegetarian, and very popular with the locals. Waits, especially on weekends, can be lengthy. Be sure and sample the Rava Masala Dosa, washed down with fresh lime juice.

Looking for an authentic, light Indian meal? Try the Old Madras Cafe, on the Goregaon Mulund Link Road. The menu offers light snacks such as the crispy, crepe-like dosas, medu vadas, and soft, white idlis. They are all served with coconut chutney, and a lentil soup (sambar). If you’re in the mood for a more complex meal, Old Madras cafe also serves south Indian seafood. Finish off with a hot filtered coffee—served with a tumbler and a bowl, meant to froth the coffee and cool it in the process.

The best fast food in Singapore‘s central business district can be found at Lau Pa Sat (Raffles Place MRT stop). This 150-year-old former fish, fruit, and veg market was converted into a collection of hawker food stalls in the 1970s. The market, which has recently undergone a facelift, is shaped like an octagon with eight alleys emanating from the center. There are about 75 different stalls to choose from, selling everything from curries and dosas to dumplings and pig organ soup. You are sure to find whatever it is you are craving. When in doubt, do what the Singaporeans do and join the longest queue! Here are my top picks: Shanghai deep-fried pork and spring onion buns from the stall in the center. These are to die for. Help yourself to a little plastic saucer of chili paste for dipping. Thunder Tea Rice - Stall 01-26/31 - A healthier option with brown rice, herbs and tofu thrown into delicious combinations. Try their signature dish. I prefer to add the cold green broth to the rice bowl before eating. Murtabak (stuffed roti prata) - get a plate to share from one of the Indian Muslim food stalls. Mamacita’s Costa Rican cuisine (near Thunder Tea Rice) - an unexpected but perennially popular stall. Fresh lime juice or iced kopi (coffee) from the beverage stand in the center of the market. Don’t forget to bring your own napkins/tissues/wet wipes. Stalls don’t give them out and they also come in handy to save your seat while you’re ordering your meal.

No, it’s not your imagination. Everyone—men, women, children, even dogs—dresses up in Seoul. Sure, you’re bound to see the odd denim-clad dud, but on the whole you’re more likely to spot bow ties and blazers or blouses and heels walking the streets on a daily basis. If you like a little glitz and glamour in your people watching, head over to Gangnam (yes, the one immortalized by Psy in the song of the same name). Sip a cappuccino at any of the myriad cafes as you watch dolled-up ladies and dandified gents strut their stuff.