Best Cities for Street Foods in Asia
Street food is an interesting way to explore the flavour and culture of a city – what people eat, how they prepare, tells a lot about the local practices and preferences. It is almost impossible to avoid street food in Asian countries, where sidewalks and alleyways get busy during the peak hours. You can find anything from boiled, baked, fried, steamed, and grilled items to customised stuff that suits your taste buds.
The mobile carts at the city corners are probably the most delicious spots where tourists would either grab a quick snack or relish on to a platter of their choice. When in Asia, don’t miss these cities to explore some authentic preparations offered by these street vendors.
The mobile carts at the city corners are probably the most delicious spots where tourists would either grab a quick snack or relish on to a platter of their choice. When in Asia, don’t miss these cities to explore some authentic preparations offered by these street vendors.

Penang, Malaysia
Known to be a popular eating destination, the hawker food of Penang which reflects the multicultural makeup of the town, which has citizens of Chinese, Malay and Indian descent. The unbranded stalls undoubtedly creates the tastiest, lip smacking dishes that is a foodie’s delight. Try out Char Koay Teow at the intersection of Lebuh Canarvon and Lebuh Melayu.Don’t forget to taste Assam Laksa at Ayer Itam Market and Hokkien mee at Presgrave Street Hawker Centre. Other dishes to try out are Rojak, Wonton mee, Curry mee, Lorbak and Ice Kacang.

Taipei, Taiwan
Though Taipei’s street food has its roots in mainland China, the Taiwanese have put their own spin on the dishes. Flavoured with star anise, Taiwanese basil, chilies, pickled vegetables, white pepper and cilantro, Taipei’s street food might not be strictly native to Taiwan, but they just seem to taste better.Some items that are a must try in the alleyways of Taipei are Sheng Jian Bao, Niu Rou Mian, Oa Misua, Ba Wan, Hujiao Bing. Noodle soups, dumplings and steamed buns are centroid to Taipei’s street food.

Xi’an, China
Known for its distinctive mix of traditional Shaanxi fare and Chinese Muslim influence in its cuisine, street foods in Xi’an is something to die for. The Muslim Quarter of this city is packed with tiny restaurants that spill out onto the streets, along with some traditional street food vendors.Lamb is particularly popular with the local Muslim Hui population, and by evening the air in the locality gets filled with the smell of mutton roasting over smoky charcoal. Shi zi bing, Kao anchun dan, Dao xiao min, Yang rou chuan and Rou jia mo will definitely leave you salivating.

Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok’s street food scene is an integral part of its culture and the locals know that the cuisine you'll find on the sidewalk is often the tastiest. The local street food culture is built around the Thai habit of eating many small meals throughout the day.Moo ping, Boat noodles, Khao pad poo, Pad see ew, Som tam, Moo dad diew and Kanom jeen are some of the popular dishes that will delight you in the streets of Bangkok.
Suggested Read : Top Things to do Thailand

Fukuoka, Japan
Known for street food haven, this city on the northern shore of Kyushu, has more than 150 open air food stands called “Yatai” which are basically fold up shops and are setup by the evening and disappears in the day time. Offering some delicious yet affordable foods, it opens up around dusk. Try out Hakata gyoza, Yakitori, Tempura, Bacon maki, Mentaiko, Motsunabe and Iwashi mentaiko to satiate your hunger pangs.
Photo: Wei Ling
Hanoi, Vietnam
Depicted as street eater’s paradise, Hanoi offers plethora of options for those who want to eat like a local. Infact the best food in Hanoi is found along the sidewalk, with dishes that often feature fish sauce, lemongrass, chilies, and cilantro with other fresh herbs. Serving their wares on the sidewalk, on small plastic tables and chairs are symbolic to this city’s food culture.Bun cha, Bun rieu cua, sticky rice, Chao ca, Pho and Muc nuong can’t be skipped.
See also : Vietnam Travel Itineraries

Singapore
The country’s regulation has mandated street food vendors to move into government sanctioned "hawker centres" where they sell some mouth-watering dishes, which offers a blend of affordable Malaysian, Indian and Chinese cuisines. Satay, Kaya toast, chicken rice, barbeque stingray sambal, Hokkien mee, chili crab are some of the must try.
Seoul, South Korea
Locally called “Pojangmacha” or street vendors, line up busy shopping districts of Seoul selling sweets and savoury snacks. Some operate in the open air while others have small, portable restaurants. These food stalls get crowded in the evening and customers line up to try gimbap, dakkochi, sundae, mandu, gamja-dog, odeng, Tteokbokki and other dishes.
Manila, Philippines
The busy streets of Manila has mobile vendors who can be spotted selling their stuff, while on the move. Some of the delicacies that are a must in Manila are – Tsitsaron, taho, kwek-kwek, silog, fish balls, banana cue, kikiam and Isaw. The deep fried food items are a bliss in the streets of Manila.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cambodians are known to be snacking all throughout the day and to satisfy their hunger pangs, the street food vendors offer some amazing grills on small charcoal blocks. Breakfast time and early evenings are generally busy, as hungry students flood the streets, looking for fried noodles, Cambodian sandwiches and sweet treats. Try num pang, nom banh chok, num plae ai, ngeav chamhoy, mi char when on the streets of Phnom Penh.
Delhi, India
Food on the streets of Delhi are an absolute delight. With ample options one is spoilt for choice. Delhi’s street food variety and taste will blow your mind in every expanse.Chandi Chowk, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Shalimar Bagh, Rajouri Garden are some of the street food hotspots in this capital city. And one cannot escape chole bhature, gol-gappe, dahi bhalle, rolls, kebabs, kachoris, samosas and chaats. The streets of Old Delhi smells food and known to be serving the best Parathas.

Yangon, Myanmar
Yangon is a melting port of culture and cuisine. It downtown is home to the biggest communities of Indian and Chinese who brought their own cuisine to this beautiful country.A Yangon food tour reveals all the highlights of regional cuisine as well reflecting its blended culture through foods.
Top dishes to try are : tofu salad, Shan noodles, Indian curries, Chinese BBQ.
Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi is foodie’s paradise. Its streets bustle with food stalls offering some taste bud titillating dishes. Bun Kebabs can be spotted at every nuke and corner of the city and is a must try. Chaat is another snack that can’t be missed in the streets of Karachi - a plate full of puffy, crispy carbs, filled with chopped onions and green chillies, with chutneys, chickpeas and yogurt will make your evenings blissful. Kebab rolls, Chicken tikka, Shawarma, Yadgar fish, Arbi paratha, cheesy potato and gol gappa can’t be missed too.’Myanmar Travel Guide
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