Great-Value Vacations

Lunch & Dinner
Try dosas (crispy crèpes), idlis (rice cakes), and vadas (fried lentil doughnuts) at Sagar, a retro-chic vegetarian coffee shop (18 Defense Colony Market; 91-11-2433-3110; dishes, $1–$3). Near Jama Masjid Mosque, in Gali Kababian, Karim's has been serving a Mogul menu of grilled meats in its modest dining rooms since 1913 (91-11-2326-9880; entrées, $3–$8).

Tip
Saris, silver, carvings, and other objects are on display at the city's many markets and state emporiums. But take note: Connaught Place, Sunder Nagar, and Santushti are closed on Sundays; Defence Colony, South Extension, and Khan Market, on Mondays; and Greater Kailash I and II and Hauz Khas Village, on Tuesdays.

Under $300 A Day

Where
Seoul, South Korea

Why
Street peddlers sell traditional wares such as antique clogs and calligraphy brushes along Insadong. Midway down this pedestrian lane is Tong-In Store, whose elegant handmade paper embellishes everything from jewelry boxes to storage chests (16 Gwanhun-dong; 82-2-733-4867). Midnight to 5 a.m. are peak shopping hours at Dongdaemun Market, where the high-rise malls Doosan Tower, Migliore, and Hello apM stock clothing, electronics, and more.

Room
Exceptional contemporary Asian art adorns the walls inside the Grand InterContinental Seoul (82-2-555-5656; ichotelsgroup.com; doubles, $230–$310). Take in panoramic views of the vast metropolis from the Grand Hyatt Seoul, atop leafy Mount Namsan (82-2-797-1234; seoul.grand.hyatt.com; doubles, $220–$325).

Lunch & Dinner
Sesame tofu soup and fried water-lily root are standouts on the tasting menu at Pulhyanggi (632-2 Shinsa-dong; 82-2-545-0415; dishes, $3–$10). On the top floor of Insadong's Ssamzie Space shopping center, Oh Mok Theh has staples such as bibimbap, a bowl of rice with vegetables and beef (38 Gwanhun-dong; 82-2-739-3211; dishes, $5–$12).

Tip
No one should live on shopping alone: Explore Korea's creative side at Heyri Art Valley, an arts complex an hour from Seoul in the city of Paju, a few miles from the DMZ, where more than 370 Korean artists have set up studios, galleries, and performance spaces (82-31-946-8551; heyri.net).

The Splurge

Manila
At B at Home, designer Budji Layug incorporates indigenous abaca, rattan, and leather into his award-winning furniture (233 N. Garcia St., Makati City; 63-2-896-8346; from $350).

New Delhi
At Manish Arora Fish Fry, India's most outrageous designer festoons his coats with images of Hindu deities (G-10 Crescent at the Qutab, Lado City; 91-11-2952-1582; coats from $500).

Seoul
In Insadong, stop at Urisegae to custom order a traditional hanbok, the brightly hued cropped silk jacket and skirt (33 Gwanhun-dong; 82-2-725-1216; hanboks from $75).