The best street food around the world

One of the most authentic ways to experience a destination’s culinary culture is through street vendors. From sizzling grills to steaming pots, these vendors bring local cuisines to life. These dishes tell the story of the local communities, blending generations of traditions with fresh produce and ingredients. Street food isn’t just about eating; it’s a multi-sensory experience where you can connect with the local culture through a vibrant combination of sights, smells, and regional flavors. If you’re a street food fanatic, we’ve got you covered: these top seven city recommendations cities offer the best street food around the world and are sure to get your taste buds tingling.

The best street food around the world: our top recommendations

Penang

Penang Island is separated from Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. The capital, George Town, is filled with a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine. The Penangians know how to eat. Hidden down every street are endless hawkers selling curry mee, dim sum, chicken satay, biriyanis, rice porridge, and plenty of seafood. Street vendors are known for offering unique twists on traditional recipes, with local spices and ingredients added to familiar dishes. Plan a trip to Gurney Drive, George Town’s famous food street, where you can sample everything from char kway teow to Penang asam laksa. Be sure to bring an empty stomach. You’re going to need it.

Singapore

Arguably the street food capital of the world, several decades ago, Singapore decided to clean up its streets by moving the street food vendors into custom-made hawker centers. The cheap eats found in these food courts are legendary. This tiny city-state is built on immigration, creating a melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Think fish head curry, curry laksa, Hainanese chicken and chai tao kway noodles. In 2016, two street hawkers won coveted Michelin stars – the highest accolade in the food industry. This alone is a clear indication that street food is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Visiting the award-winning Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle stalls is on most food lovers’ itineraries in Singapore. While they attract long lines of eager patrons daily, it’s worth the wait. Aside from the Michelin-star cuisine, simple dishes like kaya toast paired with kopi (coffee) are perfect for starting your day off right.

Bangkok

A true paradise for street food lovers. Bangkok’s vendors spill out along the streets and provide an almost limitless selection of culinary delights. The flavors in Thailand are strong – dishes are always some combination of sour, sweet, salty and spicy. Look out for stalls piled high with crispy fried chicken, barbecued pork sticks and spicy papaya salad stands. One of Thailand’s most iconic dishes, a bowl of pad Thai is sure to satisfy. Cooked fresh in a sizzling wok, it’s topped with a squeeze of lime and crunchy peanuts. If you have a sweet tooth, the mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell is a must-try for dessert. Grab yourself a tiny colorful plastic stool, a cold Singha beer, and tuck in. Be sure to visit Bangkok’s Chinatown, one of the city’s top street food spots.

Hanoi

Vietnam is known for its street food, and Hanoi is arguably the best city to try it in. Steamy bowls of phở are ubiquitous, as are the piles of freshly baked baguettes used in bánh mì. Meats grilled on the street barbecues are always good. Other dishes to look out for are bún chả (grilled pork and vermicelli), bánh cuốn (steamed pork wraps) and bún riêu (crab noodle soup). For a sweet treat, try chè thập cẩm, a traditional dessert served with shaved ice. It can be made with bean syrup, coconut cream, sticky rice, tapioca pearls or jelly, and includes shredded coconut. When you need a pick-me-up, Vietnam’s famous egg coffee with whipped egg and condensed milk is creamy and frothy. A thriving café culture means smoky coffee houses are common. During the evening, grab a plastic stool at beer corner and try some of the world’s cheapest beer. Một hai ba, yo!

Marrakech

There are two things always served with Moroccan food – bread and mint tea. The heart of Marrakech’s food scene is the central Jemaa el Fna square. As night falls, the square comes alive with storytellers, snake charmers, magicians, and a host of street vendors. Sheep heads are more delicious than they sound and are cooked over coals in underground ovens for hours. Fill up with a hearty bowl of harira, a zesty tomato-based soup made with lentils and seasoned with ginger, pepper, and cinnamon. It’s a perfect choice for cooler evenings. Don’t leave without trying chebakia, a sugary delight shaped like a flower. The sweet, doughy treats are soaked in honey and topped with sesame seeds. For vegetarians, there are plenty of hearty soups and stews made from pulses. You also can’t leave without trying m’smen, a pocket of flaky pastry with sweet or savory fillings. Thirsty? Grab a freshly squeezed orange juice, some of the best in the world.

Istanbul

Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul’s street food offers a diverse blend of flavors. Take a stroll through the city’s bustling streets and stop to try simit, one of Turkey’s most popular snacks. The molasses-dipped, sesame-crusted bread is a perfect on-the-go snack and is a popular option for breakfast. Balik ekmek (grilled fish sandwiches) takes the other top spot for popular street food options, as the smell of these fresh sandwiches wafts through the air near the Bosphorus. Roasted corn on the cob, or mısır, is another favorite, as are savory sokak poğaçası – pastries filled with variations of cheese, meat, and olives. If you’re really hungry, try tavuklu pilav, Turkish rice pilaf topped with shredded chicken. Pair it with a glass of ayran, the country’s beloved salted yogurt drink.

Tokyo

Japan‘s capital may be renowned for its sushi and Michelin-starred restaurants, but it also has an impressive street food scene. Head to the bustling streets of Asakusa or Harajuku and you’ll discover plenty of vibrant options, from crispy takoyaki (octopus-filled batter balls) to grilled and seasoned yakitori skewers. Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake packed with your choice of pork, seafood, or cheese, offers a deliciously customizable option. If you’re craving something sweet, taiyaki are adorable fish-shaped treats filled with red bean paste or creamy custard. At Sugamo shopping street, you can try shio daifuku, which are sticky mochi dumplings filled with sweet red bean paste. On hot summer days, matcha soft serve ice cream is the perfect way to cool off.

Make it happen

If you want to explore any of these cities to uncover some of the world’s best street food, visit each destination page for more inspiration and to send an enquiry to our local experts.

1. Malaysia
2. Singapore
3. Thailand
4. Vietnam
5. Morocco
6. Turkey
7. Japan