Gifts for Asian food lovers can be hard to shop for when they seemingly know so much about the food and culinary history. That’s also why when you do get a gift that caters to their foodie passion, it will hold a special place in their heart.
Knowing that Asian food lovers can like a lot of different things, we’ve curated a comprehensive gift guide for a wide range of tastes and budgets too.
We've split our guide into two sections to cater to home cooks and foodies who love to drink and snack. Whether you're seeking to surprise a seasoned home chef or an eager culinary adventurer, our gifts for food lovers guide will certainly inspire you for your gift hunting.
Best Asian Food Gifts
Our handpicked selection makes great gifts for food lovers. They’ll make a tasty adventure exploring Asia's delicious flavours and traditions for anyone who is interested in Asian cultures.
Japanese Snack Box
Japanese snack boxes are carefully crafted collections of Japanese snacks you can give as Japanese food gifts. These boxes are available as subscriptions or as one-time purchases.
Tokyo Treat is at the top of our list. They’re one of the best Japanese snack box subscription on the market and they never fail to surprise you with cool and trendy snacks from Japan. From weird soda to funky kitkat, they always include a few unusual and difficult-to-find delights.
Meanwhile, Sakuraco adds a touch of elegance to these gifts. Its not only offers delicious goodies but also elegant teas and culinary items. Sakuraco is ideal if you want to learn about Japanese tea culture.
Looking for a budget-friendly option? Then try Japan Candy Box which is one of the low-cost Japanese food gifts. It's a good option for individuals who want to try Japanese sweets without spending too much money. You can also consider the Kawaii Box an excellent gift for people who love cute snacks and small trinkets.
Watch our Japanese snack box video to find out more.
Bubble Tea Kit
The best bubble tea kits let you make your own delicious bubble tea at home. It usually includes tea leaves, tapioca pearls and other fun toppings.
Boba Green has been a favourite of ours for many years. They offer an excellent option Bubble Tea Kit that are high-quality and eco-friendly. As a result, they are a wonderful gift for your ecologically conscious friends.
Dragon Cat Cafe’s boba kit is up next on our list. This artisanal bubble tea shop curates a fine selection of tea leaves which we think would make a terrific present idea, especially for tea lovers.
Consider Bobago’s boba cups as fun gifts for Asian food lovers. They come in lovely gift boxes with cute stickers. So, if you're looking for a present, this box includes everything plus excellent wrapping.
Do you want something a bit more basic but still adorable? Then, we recommend gifting Boba Tribe’s boba straws. They're composed of silicone and are available in a range of colours.
Korean Snack Box
If your friend is into all things K-culture, getting them the best Korean snack box is a good bet. It's a surprise box of Korean treats from South Korea that you can enjoy at home.
Our first pick for an introduction to Korean food gifts is Munch Addict. In our opinion, Munch Addict’s Korean snack box offers excellent value and is the market's most affordable option. We love that they provide 2 flexible plans so you can buy a smaller box to try out their services.
If you’re not on a budget, Seoul Box and SnackFever are some of the best Korean food gifts. Both boxes have a diverse selection of snacks, from traditional Korean favourites to trendy new treats. Even if your foodie friends have tried many korean snacks, they’ll still find something new inside.
Ramen Box
Ramen subscription boxes provide a curated selection of instant noodles right to your doorstep for true noodle fans. They make thoughtful gifts for Asian food lovers and are excellent for experiencing new flavours and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
If you love Japanese ramen in particular, then we recommend going for ZenPop's ramen box. The box includes a range of unique flavours, sometimes featuring regional as well as seasonal instant noodles from Japan.
For the best value for money, go with MiauMall’s Nakama Noodles package. It includes 10 packs of ramen in one box, making this bundle a fantastic Japanese food gift for noodle enthusiasts. The instant ramen packs included have a good variety and are not the typical ones you can get from your regular Asian corner store.
Meanwhile, we recommend Munch Addict’s ramen box for those who are would love to sample a larger range of Asian flavours. In our eyes, Munch Addict shines as one of the best ramen box out there today as they include instant noodles from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and more.
Watch our video on the best ramen box to find out more.
Matcha set
If the person you’re buying for chooses matcha over coffee, matcha sets make great Asian food gifts and will never disappoint. Generally speaking, quality matcha powders are expensive and don’t last long once opened. So, this will be a welcomed gift for true matcha fans to keep their pantry stocked.
For cold iced matcha, go for Naoki. Its stone-ground fine powder dissolves quickly in cold drinks, creating a consistent and enjoyable texture without clumps or graininess. You don’t need any fancy tools to get a better experience.
For matcha enthusiasts, Akira Matcha is our favourite to recommend. With Akira Matcha, you enjoy a premium matcha experience and contribute to a sustainable tea culture. It’s the perfect choice for those who appreciate the art of matcha and want to align their passion with responsible consumption.
For those looking for a real matcha experience as a gift, JadeLeaf Ceremonial matcha is a terrific choice. It's produced with ceremonial-grade matcha powder, which captures the authentic essence of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. We consider JadeLeaf's matcha one of the top matcha powders in the online market today for its super velvety texture and rich flavour profile.
Tableware
Tableware won’t only make great gifts for Asian food lovers this holiday season as it's about more than just functionality. It can also add a touch of aesthetics to your meals.
Ramen bowls are crafted for style and practicality. Designed with the ramen lover in mind, the sleek and durable design will enhance your dining aesthetics and withstand regular use.
We can’t think of a more perfect present for sushi enthusiasts other than sushi plates. These sushi plates are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making them convenient for everyday use as serving plates and for special occasions.
For foodies who also love the outdoor world, we recommend getting them a travelling tea set. It combines functionality with an aesthetic charm, making it one of the best Chinese food gifts. It is lightweight and comes with a hand-carrying protective bag, which is easy to carry and perfect for tea lovers to travel or for outdoor use.
Best Asian Cooking Gifts
Dive into the world of culinary delights with our selection of the best Asian cooking gifts. This collection is perfect for anyone eager to explore the art of Asian cuisine, whether they're seasoned chefs or enthusiastic home cooks. From essential cookware to versatile gadgets, these gifts are crafted to elevate the cooking experience and bring the flavours of Asia into the heart of their kitchen.
Cookware
Cookware is an important part of every kitchen, and for those keen on Asian cooking, having the right tools can make all the difference.
On top of the list, gifting a mini hob for shabu hot pot is one of the best Chinese food gifts. The portable hob tends to be a nice-to-have among hot pot lovers, hence making it the perfect gift in our eyes. There are also affordable hot pot options if you love it as a gift but are working on a budget.
You can also surprise your loved ones with this elegantly crafted rice cooker. It is easy to clean and use. This Asian cooking gift is a staple in every Asian household. So getting a modern and well-designed one for your loved one would make an amazing present.
Our multipurpose pot is a kitchen powerhouse. Its large capacity handles soups, broths, and stews. You can also make stir-fries, deep-frying, and braising. As one of the best gifts for food lovers, this pot is amazing for those who love culinary experimentation. For a Korean version, consider buying a dolsot, which is a cooking stoneware bowl instead.
The essentials spices
Essential spices are the building blocks of flavourful Asian cuisine. They’re perfect for creating personalised food hampers, delightful stocking fillers or as standalone gifts.
The Furikake set is the best Asian cooking gift and a rice lover's dream come true. Put this over rice, onigiri, and other dishes and you’ll change the flavours instantly. Its diverse flavours cater to various tastes, making it a versatile gift for Asian food lovers.
We recommend picking a trio of gochujang, gochugaru, and Sichuan peppercorns as Asian food gifts for spicy food lovers. These dynamic spices will add depth and heat to any dish, allowing any home chef to elevate their meals and experiment with different levels of spiciness.
This Indian spice kit offers a curated selection of spices to master the rich and diverse flavours of Indian cuisine. This kit is an ideal Asian cooking gift for aspiring chefs or anyone looking to explore the vibrant world of Indian spices, bringing the authentic taste of India to their kitchen.
Cookbooks
Cookbooks are one of the most underrated gifts for true home cooks. The right culinary guide won’t just give you a recipe but also insights into the culture as well as tips and tricks to work with particular ingredients. They serve as valuable gifts for Asian food lovers looking to enhance their cooking skills and explore new flavours.
Maangchi's cookbook is a delightful present if you want to start making authentic Korean food at home. In our experience, her recipes are suitable for beginners and experienced cooks looking for more exposure to Korean cooking. This cookbook is one of the best gifts for Asian food lovers to recreate the bold and flavorful dishes of Korea effortlessly.
This Masaharu Morimoto cookbook is a masterclass in Japanese culinary artistry. We recommend this as gifts for food lovers for its ability to demystify Japanese cuisine, allowing cooks of all levels to recreate the Iron Chef's signature dishes with finesse.
With a focus on simplicity and practicality, Kwoklyn Wan's recipes are the best Chinese food gifts. It brings the richness of Chinese flavours to your kitchen. We like Kwoklyn Wan's cookbook for its emphasis on home-cooked Chinese meals, making it an excellent addition to any culinary library.
If you're looking for other thoughtful, personalised, and enduring gifts for Asian food lovers, check out our Asian snack box article for more ideas. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel @honestfoodtalks for more recipes and fun guides.
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