Buckle Up For An Instant International Food Trip—No Visa Required!

You can learn a lot about a place’s culture and history through food, so when going somewhere new, you should always give its unique delicacies a taste. But before you grab your passport or book a visa appointment, know that you don’t always *need* to travel far just to indulge in authentic and delicious food from another place’s cuisine. This September, you can discover and enjoy different treats from all over the world through the Grand Food Fest at any SM mall.

To start off your international food trip, check out these 7 delightful dishes from different cuisines that you can order now.

Vietnamese: Banh mi

Banh mi, which literally means “bread” in Vietnamese, is a tasty sandwich made of crunchy baguette and savory fillings like meat, vegetables, and sauces. Now a local staple, it was developed in Saigon after the Vietnamese gave a makeover to baguette sandwiches introduced to their country during the French colonial period.

Here in the Philippines, one of the top places to order banh mi from is Bahn Mi Kitchen. Aside from the traditional flavors, you can also enjoy banh mi versions with a Filipino twist like Lechon Baka or Spicy Lechon Belly. Additionally, the restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese coffee as well as refreshing teas and juices that you can pair with this sandwich.

Enjoy two Premium Creations from Banh Mi Kitchen for only P399 when you present your SM Advantage Card upon payment. This promo is available until September 30, 2022 in SM City Lipa.

Middle Eastern: Shawarma

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that is made by marinating meat in rich seasonings and spices like cumin and paprika, cutting it into thin slices, and slowly roasting it on a large rotating skewer or cone. Lamb, beef, and chicken are the most common meat used for this popular street food, which is also best served hot and fresh from the rotisserie. Once cooked, shawarma is often served in a wrap, as a sandwich, or with rice. 

Try different variations of shawarma now at Shawarma Shack to find the one you enjoy best. Buy two Regular Beef Shawarma Wraps for the price of one at Shawarma Shack in SM City San Jose Del Monte until September 30, 2022.

Italian: Gelato

“Gelato” is actually the general term for ice cream in Italian, but to others, it refers to the frozen dessert made in ​​Italian artisanal style. Usually, it contains more milk and is denser and smoother than typical ice cream. This silkier texture, combined with having less butterfat and traditionally being served a bit warmer, helps bring out gelato’s flavor more. It also uses less cream, which makes its fat content lower than ice cream. Taste the difference now at Salvatore Cuomo Cafe, which serves decadent and flavorful gelato on its dessert menu. For more lip-smacking Italian food, you can also try the cafe’s handcrafted pizzas, pasta, wine, and coffee. 

Enjoy a buy one, get one deal on gelato every weekday at Salvatore Cuomo Cafe in The Podium until September 30, 2022.

Korean: Kimbap

K-pop and K-drama fans are already familiar with kimbap, or bite-sized seaweed rice rolls that are a staple in Korean households and restaurants. It is very portable and convenient to eat, which is why it’s a popular takeout food in the country. 

Aside from rice and dried seaweed sheets, a kimbap’s fillings are an important aspect of the dish. These fillings are often a combination of vegetables, fish, and meat, including local favorites like kimchi, bulgogi, and danmuji or pickled yellow radish. You can enjoy this rice dish on its own, but Koreans also include it in packed meals or dosirak with other local dishes.

Receive a free kimbap with a P2,999 minimum order at Eataewon in SM Megamall until September 30, 2022.

Japanese: Shabu shabu

The cold weather calls for shabu shabu, a Japanese dish cooked in nabemono style—which you might know more as hotpot. At shabu shabu restaurants, you are often served thinly sliced meat and a variety of vegetables like cabbage, corn, and carrots. The rest of the process is DIY: to cook the dish, you should soak these ingredients one by one for a few seconds in a pot of boiling broth and then dip them in your preferred sauces. You can enjoy this dish with rice or Japanese noodle dishes like ramen and udon.

Enjoy 10% off on shabu shabu at Healthy Shabu Shabu in The Podium until October 31, 2022.

Thai: Thai tea

If you need an instant way to refresh your senses, try drinking a cup of creamy and flavorful Thai tea. Bursting with flavors, this beverage is made from strongly brewed Ceylon tea and gets its sweetness from a mix of ​​sugar and condensed milk. Although it is a breakfast staple in the country, Thai tea also makes an excellent base for milk tea and has different variations such as cha ma nao or Thai lemon tea, cha khiao yen or Thai green iced tea, and cha nom khiao or Thai green milk tea. You can try these drinks at Baa Baa Thai Tea, which sources premium real tea leaves from Thailand and uses the country’s traditional tea-pulling method called “teh tarik” to make its drinks. 

If you’re a student, faculty member, or a part of school staff, you can get a 20% discount on all large and medium Baa Baa Thai Tea items (except for sinkers) on all weekdays of September. Simply present proof or supporting documents like a valid school ID, certificate of matriculation, or proof of enrollment. 

Chinese: Pai Kuat

Dim sum is often associated with dishes like siomai or dumplings, but it is actually the umbrella term for the traditional and bite-sized Chinese food that are often served as snacks or light meals. These dishes are often served with tea, and other non-dumpling examples of it include chicken feet, barbeque pork buns or char siu bao, and pai kuat. Pai kuat, or Chinese-style spare ribs, features juicy pork ribs that are steamed and drizzled with rich black bean sauce. This Cantonese comfort food is best paired with warm rice, and it’s a perfect meal for brunch.

Order Steamed Pai Kuat Rice with 12-ounce iced tea for only P106 at Dimsum Break in SM City Consolacion, SM City Cebu, and SM Center Ormoc until October 31, 2022.

Satisfy your international food cravings at SM Malls, your trusted food destination capital with lots of great dining options nationwide. For more exciting discounts and promos, visit the SM Deals site or download the SM Malls Online app!