With riots in Thailand and acts of war in Korea, a tour of Asia seems less than advisable at the moment. Fortunately for you, the Far East is still well within reach and all without ever leaving the island of Manhattan. Last weekend, I set out on a journey around Asia with nothing more than my MTA metro card and an empty stomach. Below, I’ve recounted the tour, which begins deep in Southeast Asia, makes its way up into Thailand, Vietnam, on to China, and finally ends in Japan. First up, Friday night out in Malaysia.

What more can you ask from a Friday night out than a few PBR’s and a couple of crabs? It’s not what you think – I’m talking about the menu at Fatty Crab. This hoppin’ West Village crab shack is about as cramped as a can of jumbo lump meat, but the beer-fueled crowd spilling out onto Hudson street doesn’t seem to mind. Chef Zak Pelacchio combines the flavors of Malaysian – while borrowing inspiration from the rest Southeast Asia – to create some of best Asian-inspired street food this side of Singapore. I couldn’t resist the soft shell crab in green curry… it was hot as hell and just a delicious.

The next morning – with my tongue still burning and the temperature on the rise – I made my way to Madison Square Park to soak up some sun. And whenever I’m in Gramercy, I always make a point to stop by favorite bahn-mi shop, Baoguette. This tiny sandwhich shop specializes in the Vietnamese sub of pork, cilantro, pickled veggies, pate, cheese and jalapenos. Served on a crispy French baguette, these little guys offer up sweet, savory and tangy all in one bite and make for the perfect lunch on the go. Moving on from Vietnam, the night’s dinner brought me to the balmy shores of Thailand, by way of Ludlow Street.

Eatpisode is a cozy, candlelit Thai joint right in the thick of the LES, making it a great pregame spot before a night out. I met up with a few friends, six-pack in tow (this place is BYOB) and proceeded to puruse the menu. With five different types of curry, myriads fried rice, Pad Thai, and all sorts of sweet, spicy, savory, and sour appetizers, this is some of the best Thai cookin’ outside of Siam. My taste buds were still jumping from the green curry the night before – I couldn’t resist and went with the green curry chicken. While the coconut milk and lemon grass toned down the heat compared to last night’s crab, the dish still packed a punch… which made that six pack go down all the faster.

With my wallet (and my head) hurting from a night before, I headed to China(town) in search of an affordable lunch. What I found was quite possibly the best meal I’ve ever had for under $5. Tucked below the Manhattan bridge, Xi’An Famous Foods is a tiny noodle counter serving up HUGE flavor. Unlike other restaurants in the area, Xi’An specializes in Western Chinese cuisine, which means you won’t find a grain of rice here. The cuisine of Xi’An is marked by a heavy Middle Eastern influence and lots of spice. My recommendation: the lamb cumin noodles. These made to order noodles are as fresh as they come and a must for anyone who loves spicy food… as is the iced black tea to wash away the heat.

By Sunday night, my stomach was starting to fold under all the heavy noodles and fried rice… something light was in order. While walking off the weekend’s indulgence along Front Street and I literally stumbled into SUteiSHI. The floor-to-ceiling doors of this seaport sushi joint open right onto the sidewalk, making for a very cool, relaxed dining experience… as do the unobstructed views of the Brooklyn Bridge. While the young, overly-friendly staff does a good job of pushing alcohol, edamame, and standard Japanese fare, don’t let that deter you. The chef’s execution is spot on and the use of quality ingredients – like the fatty salmon roll (where meat from the fish’s belly is used to impart a smoother, richer texture) – elevate SUteiSHI beyond any other sushi bar in the area.

So there you have it. A tour of Asia all in one weekend and at a fraction of the price of an actual trip. While I by no means am discouraging those of you willing to travel to the Orient, it’s always nice to know that you get a taste of the exotic in your own backyard.

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