‘These are the places that locals love’: The Asia travel tips from those in the know

Zan Rowe, Radio and television presenter

Shimokitazawa is like the Newtown or Fitzroy of Tokyo, says Rowe.

Tokyo is both huge and regenerative … you can go back time and again and always see something new. On my last trip, I stayed in Shimokitazawa. It’s like the Newtown or Fitzroy of Tokyo, full of excellent vintage stores, boutiques and bars, and famous for its soup curry. If you’re craving vegetables, Rojiura Curry Samurai will make you a big bowl. Then wander to Jet Set Records and find some of the best house, soul, disco and techno vinyl, with a brilliant selection of limited-edition Japanese wax.

If you’re a fan of homewares, seek out Claska Gallery & Shop for beautiful ceramics, kitchenware and even miniature foods. JBS (Jazz Blues Soul) is a well-known bar among music lovers, and really is special. It has walls of records front to back, with the owner choosing the tunes and pouring the drinks. It’s beer or whisky, so sit back with a highball and enjoy the master selector introducing you to something new.

I recently found heaven walking along the river in Nakameguro while browsing the design stores. The sway of the cherry trees almost transported me to another era.

Season two of Take 5 with Zan Rowe is now showing on ABC iView.

Sarah Blasko, Singer/songwriter

“Visit the amazing Naoshima Island and I Love Yu, which is both a public bath house and an artwork.”

I first went to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto with my husband Dave, before we married and had kids. We also visited the beautiful art island, Naoshima.

In Tokyo, I highly recommend tokyofoodfile.com for a foodie tour. We put in the hard yards and queued up for countless amazing places – our favourites were Kagari for ramen, Kamachiku for udon and Narutomi for soba and tempura.

We tried every style of Japanese cuisine and restaurant – teppanyaki, yakitori, amazing izakaya – and then drank whisky highballs while we sang karaoke at Karaoke Rainbow Kawaramachi in Kyoto. In Kyoto we also ate a kyo-baum - a matcha and soy milk cake that blew my mind. I can still taste it.

We also experienced the little food joys of Japan along the way, like a bento box on the bullet train and cold and hot cans of coffee from vending machines. The in-house food halls of fancy department stores are also a must. They’re called depachika and are full of food wonders – some of the most artfully made chocolate, cakes and sweets I have ever seen, boxed exquisitely.

There’s also a range of fancy and quaint galleries dotted around Naoshima Island which we cycled around for a couple of days - you can visit the amazing Naoshima Island and I Love Yu, which is both a public bath house and an artwork.

Sarah Blasko’s album I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain is out in November.

Sharon Johal, Actor

Johal recommend shopping at Papa Don’t Preach and Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop in

I love Mumbai and Delhi in India – they are vastly different cities, but there’s an Eat, Pray, Love mood you can find among the chaos in both.

Shopping in Delhi is magical. I highly recommend Papa Don’t Preach for designer pieces at mid-range prices, while Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop is another pit stop. You can get couture Bollywood star looks at Sabyasachi, and visiting their studio is an experience in itself. It’s very regal with a nod to colonial Britain and Raj influences.

For something more frenetic head to Chandni Chowk, a huge bazaar and the oldest market in India. I love the alleys full of spices, jewellery, saris and silks. I always eat street food. Try the vodka pani puri/golgappa – a very thin, crisp fried potato ball filled with vodka that’s dangerously good.

Delhi bars I visited on my last trip include Taksim and the Piano Man Jazz Club, a great spot for live music. For a nightclub experience, head to SoHo-Delhi. When all the nightlife gets too much, I recommend visiting Sikh temples – Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the best in Delhi.

I also recommend the coastal suburb of Bandra in Mumbai. It’s the equivalent to the Melbourne inner-city suburb of Fitzroy, with lots of local fashion labels and fusion fashion.

Sharon Johal stars in The Twelve on Foxtel.

Diana Chan, Cook and author

Chan says anyone visiting Singapore should order a cocktail at Atlas Bar.

I grew up in Malaysia and spent most childhood weekends visiting Singapore. I still keep going back from Australia and love the food scene.

One spot I head for is Imperial Treasure for great Peking duck. Suckling pig is another Singapore favourite and the best place to order it is Min Jiang. They have two outlets, in Goodwood Park and Dempsey Hill. The former is more touristy, while the latter is where the locals hang out. The city is also famous for its chilli crab, and I recommend De Golden Spoon.

For wonderful restaurant experiences, head to barbecue spot Burnt Ends and Sushi Sato, which offers top-notch omakase, with sushi and sashimi as good as you’ll get in Tokyo.

Marcy’s Restaurant on Duxton Road is a new spot I stumbled on in the last year. It serves European-style seafood dishes, all purposefully small so you can try a lot of them.

Anyone who visits Singapore should order a cocktail at Atlas Bar and go to the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. A historical landmark, it’s super casual; and don’t be alarmed by the peanut shells everywhere – they’re part of the atmosphere.

For shopping, Bugis Street Market is a good spot for casual clothing, jewellery and shoes while Haji Lane is very gentrified and caters for a younger age group.

The Golden Wok (Hardie Grant) by Diana Chan is out October 29.

Jessi Singh, Chef and restaurateur

Singh recommends visiting Mother Teresa House in Kolkata.

Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, seamlessly blends the old with the new, offering a rich tapestry of experiences. Park Street is one of its most iconic streets, lined with charming cafes, eclectic shops and landmarks that transport you to an era when British architectural grandeur met Indian cultural vibrancy. It’s a paradise for shoppers, with an array of boutiques offering everything from traditional Indian attire to the latest trends.

New Market, officially known as Sir Stuart Hogg Market, is the city’s ultimate destination for shoppers, a labyrinth of stalls and shops offering everything from clothing and accessories to electronics and household items. While roaming the market, try mouth-watering treats like puchka (pani puri), kathi rolls and jhalmuri from vibrant street food stalls.

There are numerous restaurants serving a diverse range of cuisines in Kolkata, while pubs and clubs keep it buzzing well into the night. Especially recommended is Mocambo, Kolkata’s most iconic restaurant, renowned for fusing European and Indian cuisines – try its take on dishes such as chicken à la Kiev, devilled crab and chateaubriand. Established in 1956, it has retained its vintage decor and elegant ambience.

Birla Mandir temple is a stunning example of modern Hindu architecture. Located in Ballygunge, it’s dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha. The temple’s intricate marble carvings, towering spires, and serene ambience make it a must-visit - allowing visitors to find solace and spiritual rejuvenation.

I also recommend a visit to Mother Teresa House, which was once her humble residence and now serves as the saint’s final resting place. The house includes a small museum showcasing her personal belongings, letters and photographs, providing insight into her extraordinary life.

Tim Lai, Gogglebox star

“Avoid the tourist traps and go to the place locals love, Ah Tai Chicken Rice.” Credit: Narelle Portanier

Singapore is an easy gateway for those who haven’t visited Asia before. It’s a clean city, the people are friendly, everyone speaks English, and the food is delicious.

My first stop for breakfast is an amazing stall in the Chinatown Food Court, Jia Ji Mei Shi, which makes delicious glutinous steamed rice dumplings stuffed with shrimp, pork and Chinese sausage that you dip in chili sauce. It’s a nostalgia dish for me.

Singapore is known for its Hainanese chicken rice. Avoid the tourist traps and go to the place locals love, Ah Tai Chicken Rice. It’s a few stores down from the famous, Michelin-starred Tian Tian and started by a former Tian Tian head chef who branched out on his own. In my opinion, the chicken is tastier, the rice is more flavourful and you don’t have Tian Tian’s queues.

Also visit Anthony the Spice Maker in the People’s Park Food Centre. Mum and I bought chicken curry spice, laksa spice blend and satay rub – and as long as you declare it, you won’t end up on Border Security! And don’t forget to try the durian – classified as the world’s smelliest fruit – washed down with a beautiful Tiger beer.

For shopping, head to Holland Road Centre where you’ll find the Independent Market. I bought my iconic Singapore food-dish cushion covers there.

Gogglebox Australia season 20 is airing now on Foxtel.

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