Hanoi has surpassed many of its neighbors, including Singapore, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh, to be named Asia’s second-best street food city, according to British magazine Time Out.
Asia is widely regarded as the epitome of street food, consistently ranked among the world’s best- just ask Michelin.
Picture sizzling woks ablaze, tiny red plastic stools, and the tantalizing aroma wafting through the air. The following list of Asia’s top 10 culinary cities was selected by the renowned British travel magazine Time Out.
1. Penang, Malaysia
A cultural blend of Malay, Chinese, Peranakan, and Indian influences, Penang boasts a long list of must-try specialties, including char kuey teow (stir-fried noodles), assam laksa (a tangy noodle soup), roti canai (Indian flatbread), and hokkien mee (prawn noodle soup). Ask locals for the best place to try each dish, and you’ll always get a different answer.
2. Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam’s capital is home to countless delicious dishes found in narrow alleys, along winding concrete steps, and in bustling street corners. There’s a long list of must-try foods, from banh mi and pho to banh cuon and bun cha.
3. Singapore
Singapore’s street food is so exceptional that UNESCO recognized it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. With over 200 hawker centers to choose from, there are thousands of stalls offering signature dishes.
4. Mumbai, India
Exploring Mumbai’s street food isn’t for the faint of heart or stomach, but be bold—your taste buds will thank you. Influences from local Maharashtrians, South Indians, the British, and Portuguese have shaped this diverse culinary scene.
5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
It’s hard to have a bad meal in Chiang Mai. The northern capital of Thailand is famous for Lanna cuisine, especially its bold flavors and spices, such as spicy sausages and chili-laden dishes, with dozens of night markets to explore around the city’s ancient walls.
6. Tainan, Taiwan
This ancient city is known as the birthplace and culinary capital of Taiwan. Here, beloved beef soup recipes have been perfected over centuries and passed down through generations. A simple rule when visiting: wander the alleys, pass under hanging red lanterns and street art, and join any long queue you see—the best food is there.
7. Osaka, Japan
Nicknamed the “kitchen of Japan,” Osaka is a dream destination for food lovers seeking affordable eats like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes).
8. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is famous for its mouthwatering street food, from the world-renowned crab omelet at Jay Fai to trays of mango sticky rice. Banthat Thong Road offers nearly every Thai dish your appetite could desire.
9. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Often underrated as a street food destination, Phnom Penh’s culinary scene is about much more than fried tarantulas and scorpions. Local highlights include amok, Cambodia’s signature dish made from freshwater fish mixed with coconut curry and steamed in banana leaves, and num pang with pâté—a fresh, addictive Cambodian take on the banh mi.
10. Chengdu, China
The heart of Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu is a UNESCO-recognized City of Gastronomy, famed for its fiery, tongue-numbing chili dishes.
National Tourism Year 2026 offers Gia Lai more than an opportunity to attract visitors. It provides a foundation for the province to establish a lasting tourism brand by transforming its rich cultural and historical heritage into distinctive visitor experiences.
Nhơn Châu island commune is reshaping its tourism strategy by focusing on authentic cultural experiences, environmental protection and community participation, as it seeks to create a distinctive destination while preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
Deep inside the Kon Ka Kinh forest, students are leaving behind mobile phones and internet access to learn practical outdoor skills through immersive experiences as Kon Ka Kinh National Park develops a new school tourism program focused on life skills and nature conservation.
The People's Committee of Gia Lai Province has approved a 12-month pilot program for jet skiing and motorized paragliding in Quy Nhon Ward as part of efforts to promote marine tourism development. The pilot will begin once the activities receive official authorization to operate.
Hundreds of colorful kites, including giant whale, crocodile and stingray designs, filled the skies above Xuan Dieu Beach during the 2026 Quy Nhon-Gia Lai Artistic Kite Festival, drawing thousands of residents and tourists and adding to the city's summer tourism appeal.
Quy Nhon, located in Gia Lai province, has been recognized as Vietnam's sole representative among the ideal destinations for beach exploration journeys, according to a recent announcement by Lonely Planet.
Authorities in Gia Lai Province have reviewed proposals to develop ecotourism, resort and entertainment projects at Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chư Răng Nature Reserve through 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045.
Tourism is steadily reshaping life on Cu Lao Xanh, a small island commune about 20 kilometers off Vietnam’s coast, as fishermen and their families diversify their livelihoods while local authorities seek to build a sustainable tourism industry around the island’s natural attractions.
Gia Lai Province officially launched the “Gia Lai Welcomes Summer 2026” Tourism Festival on June 20 with a large-scale arts programme that combined traditional culture, contemporary music and tourism promotion, drawing residents and visitors to Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Quy Nhon Ward.
Gia Lai’s Hoài Nhơn Ward is seeking to transform its extensive coconut groves into a distinctive tourism asset, combining cultural heritage, community-based experiences and coastal attractions to create a unique destination in central Vietnam.
Authorities in Quy Nhon have launched a dedicated passenger pick-up and drop-off point at Mui Tan Wharf for tourist boats serving Nhon Chau Island, replacing the previous departure point at Ham Tu fishing port as part of efforts to improve service quality, enhance safety and tourism management.
The 6th Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival will be held in Khanh Hoa Province from June 26 to 28, 2026, bringing together Cham communities from seven provinces and cities across Vietnam to celebrate and promote their cultural heritage.
Gia Lai is seeking closer cooperation with South Korea’s leading travel company HanaTour to expand tourism links and promote charter flight services, as the province prepares to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2026 and increase international visitor arrivals.
After a nearly 10-hour trek covering more than 8 kilometres through dense forest, visitors were only able to approach within just over 10 metres of Hon Chuong Tower before thick fog obscured the solitary Cham structure perched atop Hon Chuong Mountain in De Gi Commune, Gia Lai Province.
Gia Lai is well positioned to become a leading sports tourism destination in Vietnam’s central and highland regions, experts said at a national scientific conference held on June 5 in Quy Nhon Ward.
The Tien Son alluvial ground in Bien Ho commune has become a popular weekend destination for families, students and young people seeking outdoor recreation, fresh air and scenic views in Gia Lai Province.
Authorities in Ia Dom commune in Gia Lai province are moving to unlock the tourism potential of the border locality by developing eco-tourism, experiential travel and community-based cultural tourism centered on its pristine natural landscapes and indigenous heritage.
As the first seasonal rains swept across Vietnam’s Central Highlands in mid-May, Ba Waterfall in Gia Lai province revealed its lush and tranquil beauty, attracting growing numbers of visitors seeking immersion in pristine nature.
Cassia javanica trees in full bloom are drawing crowds of visitors and photography enthusiasts to Ơp Village in Pleiku Ward, where pale pink blossoms have transformed the area around the village communal house into a popular seasonal attraction.
The community vegetable village in Thuận Nghĩa hamlet, Tây Sơn commune in Gia Lai is emerging as a growing destination for community-based tourism, combining VietGAP-certified agriculture with the preserved charm of a traditional Vietnamese countryside village.
Lakeside camping and outdoor recreation are rapidly gaining popularity on the Gia Lai plateau as locals and tourists seek nature-focused escapes during the summer months.
Authorities on Nhơn Châu island commune in Gia Lai province are promoting new livelihood models linked to experiential tourism as the locality seeks to diversify incomes and reduce residents’ dependence on fishing.
Thousands of Asian Openbill Storks have returned to the southeastern fields of Vietnam’s Gia Lai plateau following the rice harvest, creating sweeping aerial displays across the Central Highlands during the dry season.
The East Quy Nhon Ward will hold its first Tourism Festival on May 29 and 30, 2026, featuring a wide range of cultural, sports and tourism activities aimed at promoting the area’s coastal heritage and tourism potential.
