Most visitors to another country wish they could tap into the local knowledge and be directed to the best place to enjoy a truly delicious local meal. Get your appetities revving because here are several local secrets you must not miss!

These off the beaten track places are hidden gems that would have nothing to envy in the dining scenes of big Asian cities such as Bangkok, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. Here are some incredible chefs in unexpected places who will surprise and inspire food-lovers from around the world.

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Cambodia

Mie Café – Siem Reap, Cambodia

The use of chemical-free, local and seasonal ingredients is a priority for Chef Pola, creating a cuisine that reflects his personality: generous, low-profile, sensitive and caring. Set inside his grandmother's old Khmer wooden house, Chef Pola has just released a Rainy Season Vegan Tasting Menu, with the ambition to become to be a fully vegetarian restaurant by 2018.

Don't miss out on:

* Wild mushroom tart with tofu and cream of cashew nut

* Bamboo stew with coffee, palm sugar, orange and basil herb.

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Laos

Manda De Laos – Luang Prabang, Laos

Immersed in tropical ambience and the beauty of three UNESCO World Heritage lotus ponds, the flavours of traditional Laotian cuisine and fine dining come to life whilst overlooking a magical display of lotus blossoms and floating lilies. The menu at Manda De Laos is dedicated to sharing how one cooked and ate in the past.

Indulge every one of your senses with the:

* Ping Dook Moo - Succulent Pork ribs glazed with jungle honey that slide off the bone served on a bed of herb salad.

* Choux Banana - Eclair stuffed with vanilla ice-cream and caramelised banana - served with rich homemade chocolate sauce.

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Myanmar

SEEDS Restaurant & Lounge – Yangon, Myanmar

The brainchild of Swiss Michelin Star Chef Felix Eppisser and his wife Lucia, guests can expect an ever-changing menu inspired by foods of the highest of quality available in Myanmar. Dining at SEEDS is an always new and surprising experience - each dish thought out to perfection and guided solely by flavour and the imagination.

On the menu don't fail to try:

* Gourmet Sandwich of Blue Fine Tuna with orange-mustard-Sauce, rocket leaves and rose salt

* Angus Beef Tenderloin with basil pesto mousseline, goat cheese and mushroom Cannelloni

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Taiwan

JL Studio - Taichung, Taiwan

Chef Jimmy Lim Tyan Yaw at JL Studio specialises in creating a deeply imaginative and poetic version of Modern Singaporean Cuisine. Defined as "Mod-Sin", strives to use (where possible) 100% all local produce, sourced from local farmers who practice responsible and sustainable agricultural methods. Chef Jimmy endeavours to capture the artistic imagination of his guests while allowing them to savour every mouthful while adding an element of fun and mystery.

Spark your creative juices with a taste of:

* Kueh Pie Tee (aka Kueh Pai Tee, a popular Peranakan dish).

Above is a crispy rice tart shell filled with jimaca, carrot, mushroom, dried cuttlefish and dried shrimps. Lightly torched local red coral shrimp, caught along the coastal line of northern Taiwan, and preserved lemon is added for freshness. The tart is decorated with fresh herbs and edible flowers from the "Herb guy" Mr Wang, from Nantou, Puli.

Chef Jimmy came across a poem on the Merlion - an iconic mythical creature of Singapore, and what caught his eye was the description of the creature's scales. Thus this beautiful dessert was born, made primarily of mango and coconut. Coconut juice discs, coconut cream discs and a sugar tuile disc finish the beautiful image of fish scales.

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Thailand

Supanniga Eating Room, Thanaruek Laorauvirodge