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.
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