Adam Liaw’s career has taken him to every corner of the globe, from showcasing Singapore’s street food to exploring the Great Lakes region of Africa as a UNICEF ambassador for nutrition. As the host of SBS’s The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, a show he has helmed for over 700 episodes, the Sydney-based chef is no stranger to culinary adventure.
For Liaw, travel isn’t just about exploring new places—it’s also about seeking out exceptional food. In this interview, the chef shares his go-to dishes in various destinations, while also discussing what makes a travel companion truly stand out.
The Ideal Travel Companion
For Liaw, a good travel companion isn’t just someone who goes with the flow. While flexibility is important, he believes that decisiveness makes all the difference. “One of my pet peeves when travelling is people who say they’re happy to go with the flow,” he explains. “It sounds like they’re easy-going, but in my experience, it’s the opposite.”
He points out that indecisiveness—especially when it comes to something as simple as picking a place to eat—can be exhausting. “The ‘go with the flow’ person often leaves all the decision-making to you, only to say, ‘I don’t really feel like eating that,’ and expects you to come up with another option,” he says. “After a while, that gets maddening.”
Instead, Liaw appreciates companions who are quick to offer suggestions and who contribute to making things happen, while remaining adaptable to change.
A Childhood Memory of Adventure
Liaw’s earliest holiday memories are of camping trips with his family in the Flinders Ranges, a mountain range in South Australia. “The smell of the sleeping bag, campfire smoke in our hair, and hot oats with butter and brown sugar for breakfast,” he recalls fondly. These experiences sparked his lifelong love of travel and exploration.
A Life-Changing Meal in Burundi
When asked about his most memorable meal, Liaw reflects on a recent trip to Burundi, where he worked with UNICEF to teach young mothers about childhood nutrition in remote villages. “Burundi is the poorest country in the world, and we were teaching mothers how to prepare a balanced version of a traditional stew made of beans, vegetables, and dried fish,” he shares. “It wasn’t just a meal—it was a lesson in nutrition, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The Most Relaxing and Stressful Places
For pure relaxation, Liaw looks to Malaysia’s Perhentian Kecil, a small island he visited 25 years ago for scuba diving. “Back then, it was pristine and completely undeveloped,” he recalls. “We spent our days diving, swapping books, and cooking freshly caught seafood.”
On the other hand, Los Angeles has proven to be one of his most stressful destinations. “I’ve been to LA about 20 times, mostly for work, but I’ve always found it to be a place where everyone is concerned with what everyone else is doing. It’s not a relaxing vibe at all,” he admits.
Food as Ritual
Liaw’s travel rituals are heavily food-centric. He has a specific dish he looks forward to in each destination. “In Kuala Lumpur, it’s hokkien mee on the first night. In Tokyo, I always have rokurinsha ramen at the airport before I leave. And on the bullet train, it’s a katsu sando,” he says. These culinary traditions help him feel grounded no matter where he is in the world.
Packing Essentials
When it comes to packing, one item Liaw always includes in his suitcase is an Opinel No 8 pocketknife. “It’s incredibly useful for everything from slicing French saucisson to fixing a broken bicycle in Laos,” he explains. “Just be careful not to leave it in your hand luggage when you check in for your flight home. I’ve lost a few knives that way.”
Surviving Long-Haul Flights
Finally, Liaw shares his top tip for enduring long-haul flights: noise-cancelling headphones. “People often underestimate how much the constant noise of planes and passengers affects your stress levels,” he says. “Being able to tune that out is a gamechanger.”
Whether it’s a decisive travel companion or a well-packed suitcase, Adam Liaw’s travel philosophy is all about maximizing enjoyment and minimizing stress. For him, it’s the little details—whether it’s a familiar meal or a quiet flight—that make all the difference.
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