The food culture throughout Asia is a hard one to top. Dining isn’t limited to just upscale restaurants. Food can also be ordered and eaten at one of the many vendors or markets lining the chaotic city streets. Here are just some of the best food cities in Asia serving up delicious eats:
Taipei, Taiwan
For some of the best street food in Asia, head to Taipei, Taiwan, a foodie’s paradise! Street vendors serve bargain-priced pork sandwiches, fried chicken cutlets, braised-beef noodles, grilled fish, dumplings and more. Taipei’s street food is influenced by Chinese cuisine with a Taiwanese twist. The city is filled with plenty of great small eateries, food courts, fine dining restaurants and teahouses as well!
Tokyo, Japan
Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is one of the best food cities in Asia, offering everything from cheap eats to high-end gourmet plates. The bustling metropolis offers incredible Japanese cuisine and unique culinary experiences, whether you’re at an alleyway stand, the world-famous Tsukiji Market, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant or an elegant establishment. Some of Tokyo’s popular dishes include ramen, yakitori grilled chicken skewers and seafood.
Hanoi, Vietnam
The birthplace of many classic Northern Vietnamese dishes such as pho and bun cha, Hanoi is known for its impressive street food scene. Some of the best local food in Asia is found right on the curbsides of Hanoi, with dishes featuring fish sauce, lemongrass, chilies and other fresh herbs. There is an endless amount of options to choose from on the bustling streets filled with food vendors and markets.
Penang, Malaysia
Penang’s food scene is exceptional both on and off the streets. The multicultural town, filled with people of Chinese, Indian, Malay and European descent, created the first fusion food scene in Asia. Each sphere of culinary influence has contributed to the city’s food culture, making it truly one-of-a-kind. You’ll find halal meat drowned in curries, Chinese-origin fried noodles with Indian spices, and more ethnically intertwined dishes in hawker centers and at vendors lining the streets.
Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand itself is known for its incredible cuisine bursting with flavor. Bangkok is at the center of it all, with thousands of street food vendors and restaurant options, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury dining. You’ll find everything from fried noodles and pad thai to creamy coconut and tropical desserts in this foodie’s heaven.
Singapore, Singapore
Singapore is a haven for food enthusiasts, with a variety of ethnic cuisines, including Chinese, Thai, Malay and Indian. The multicultural hub is known for its Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab and char kway teow stir-fried rice noodles. You’ll find vast numbers of street food peddlers, food markets, hawker centers and food stalls throughout the city.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta’s lively street food scene is a reflection of the city’s diversity and versatility, with a vast array of cultural foods and unique creations. You’ll find many dishes descended from ancient indigenous cultures like the Javanese, Balinese, and the Minangkabau and other foreign influences like the Chinese and Dutch. This Indonesian city is also filled with lavish restaurants and food halls to satisfy your foodie cravings in any type of atmosphere or budget.
