Electric kettle? Having an Asian wife, I have learned there is an even better choice, a countertop hot water boiler. It boils the water and then keeps it hot in a super insulated container so the energy use is really low and you always have hot water ready for tea, so you don't have to wait!
We unplugged it once to take to an ice rink and it was still hot hours later.
Funny, my wife's Asian too and I know the exact thing you mean. We like being able to tote the kettle around rather than having the bring the container to it, though. I agree it's more energy efficient.
Since realizing most people only have coffee makers and microwaves and are missing out on tools to simplify making great tea, I've made it a habit of giving out airports (dewar flask pump liquid dispensers) as gifts to everyone I know along with some tea-making utilities, like the IngenuiTEA. Water stays piping hot all day, no power needed beyond the initial boil.
Also, am East Asian, can verify: it's pretty uncommon to find a household without a rice cooker, a portable butane grill, or a Zojirushi.
We unplugged it once to take to an ice rink and it was still hot hours later.