Some of Asia's best meals cost a few dollars and are cooked on the pavement. Here is what to try in each country.
Thailand
In Bangkok, try boat noodles, som tam (green papaya salad), moo ping (grilled pork skewers) and mango sticky rice. Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, is the ultimate night-time food street.
Vietnam
Pho and bun cha in Hanoi, cao lau and banh mi in Hoi An, and broken rice (com tam) in Ho Chi Minh City.
Malaysia and Singapore
Penang is a street-food legend: char kway teow, assam laksa and nasi kandar. In Singapore, hawker centres serve chicken rice, chilli crab and satay.
Taiwan
Night markets in Taipei and Tainan offer beef noodle soup, gua bao, oyster omelettes, scallion pancakes and the famously pungent stinky tofu.
Japan and Korea
Takoyaki and okonomiyaki in Osaka; tteokbokki, hotteok and Korean fried chicken in Seoul's markets.
India
Chaat in Delhi, vada pav in Mumbai and dosa across the south.
Eating safely
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover.
- Watch food being cooked hot in front of you.
- Go easy on raw salads and ice in some countries.
Prices, entry rules and opening hours change; always check official sources before you travel. This article contains affiliate links, see our disclosure.
