“Nak makan?” is a Malaysian’s favourite phrase and with culinary tourism on the rise, Malaysians are travelling in full force. The global culinary tourism market value is expected to reach USD 13.58 billion this year, as consumers are increasingly looking to experience some tasty trails as they travel.
If you’re booking a trip soon and looking for a gastronomic adventure, look no further because we’ve curated a list of yummy makan stops that you can’t find in Malaysia.
Wingstop (Available in Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore)
If you’ve spent some time on TikTok, you’ve probably seen Malaysians going crazy for Wingstop, going as far as booking flights to the Lion City to get their fix.
A 6-piece wings combo with fries and a drink costs SG$11.80 (about RM37). But if you’re paying with a traditional bank card, you might end up paying extra due to hidden fees and exchange rate markups. By using your Wise card, you can save around 4.4% on your wings when travelling to Singapore.
If you’re headed to Indonesia instead, a 5-piece wings combo with rice and a drink will set you back IDR54,545 (about RM14). Many Malaysian banks also charge additional fees on foreign transactions, so using Wise could save you even more – up to 3.3% in fact – leaving you with extra cash for that delicious fried chicken!
Tip: Be smart when planning your trip! Use Wise’s exchange rate alert to keep up with currency fluctuations and get the best rates while travelling.
Dairy Queen (Available in Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand and, Vietnam)
Everyone deserves a sweet treat and a ‘Blizzard’ from Dairy Queen is one of the best. A class above regular ice creams, the sumptuous soft serve is mixed with cookies, brownies, and candies to make a thick and delicious dessert. Most Dairy Queen employees and enthusiasts flip the cup upside down to show that it really doesn’t spill!
A large sized Blizzard costs around THB89 which will run you about RM11, if you’re using a bank card, expect to pay an additional 5% on your meal while you’re getting your sweet treat.
If you prefer a no frills treat, small chocolate dipped cones start at THB30 (RM3) so in girl math terms, you’re actually saving money if you add Dairy Queen to your travel itinerary!
Tip: While most places accept cash in Bangkok, cash is still king at many establishments. If you don’t want to get stuck between payment methods, always implement a 70/30 rule: 70% of your money should be held in a card, and 30% of it should be cash. If you ever run low on cash, most cards, (including the Wise card!) allow you to withdraw from ATMs.
Mos Burger (Available in Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand)
If you want to try yakiniku-style beef, but in the form of a burger, we recommend heading to Mos Burger. The fast-food chain features the typical fixings from a burger joint, with a Japanese twist.
Picture yourself biting into an ebi katsu burger (fried shrimp burger) or a yakiniku rice burger (thinly sliced beef in between rice shaped into buns). What better way to get a taste of this than in Osaka, the kitchen of Japan?
A small burger set with drink and fries costs about JPY770 which costs around RM 22 but, if you use a normal bank card, expect paying an additional 5% to get a taste of the Mos.
Tip: You can get around easily in Osaka with an IC card, which allows you to tap in and out of train stations without buying separate tickets. Since Japan is pretty cash-centric, you can visit ATMs at convenience stores to withdraw money for your travels.
Eggslut (Available in the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea)
While the name may not be very demure or very mindful, it is sure to pique your interest!
If you’re headed to South Korea to see your favourite oppa or visit dreamy K-drama spots, be sure to pick up an egg-cellent sandwich along the way. The restaurant’s iconic Fairfax, a scrambled egg sandwich with caramelised onions and sriracha mayo costs KRW7,800, about RM24. Additional bank charges might have you paying at least an additional 5% for the egg-ticing sandwich.
While RM24 may seem rather steep for an egg sandwich, real foodies know that good food is worth every penny!
Tip: Always do your research before booking a trip, which will help you budget better – for time and money. By booking flights and activities, and making reservations ahead of time, you’ll probably have some leftover cash to splurge on other things, like souvenirs.
Being a foodie isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle filled with new experiences and memorable tastes. If you’re taking a trip this holiday, set aside some extra money for your food budget and happy makan!
Methodology
To compare the costs of using a traditional bank-issued card versus the Wise card when spending overseas, we gathered data from several makan places on 25 September 2024. The total cost was calculated using the average foreign transaction fees charged by Malaysian banks, which is around 2-3%, based on publicly available information.
Please note that exchange rates may vary, stay up-to-date with the currency exchange rate with the Wise card calculator or your card provider’s currency converters to make sure you’re on top of your budget.
