The Best Street Food Cities in Asia

George Town in Malaysia

George Town in Malaysia

My last three stops are literally being traded as the Mecca of street food . We’ll start with what is probably the best street food city in Malaysia: George Town on Penang in western Malaysia, which has also made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You should try this:

  • Char koay teow
  • Dim Sum
  • Nasi Kandar
  • Satay
  • Nasi Campur

The city has long been known to foodies and Asia lovers as a top destination for good and above all inexpensive street food, so that George Town has rightly earned a place on the list of the best street food cities. The Malaysian cuisine, which is similar to the Indonesian, has a mix of cultures and tastes ready for you. Indian, Chinese, hot, mild, sweet, sour – in Malaysia it’s definitely the mix that makes the difference. Taste your way through Malaysian cuisine in the buildings called Hawker Center before going on a sightseeing tour of one of the most diverse cities in the country. Tip: Especially at the George Town Festival, which takes place every summer, the whole city is on its feet and shows what it can do culturally. Well then, selera makan yang baik, bon appetit!

Thailand – not only worth a visit in culinary terms

Singapore - the mother of street food

Still popular with foodies despite the ban, Thailand’s capital is Bangkok, where it’s incredibly difficult to escape the delightful smell exuding from the food stalls. According to healthvv.com, at every corner you also come into contact with locals, who like to bring you closer to their culture on this way.

You should try this:

  • Thai curry
  • pad Thai
  • Sticky rice with mango
  • Papaya salad

In this context, I can recommend Bangkok’s night markets , because locals in particular like to eat there. When it comes to the selection of stands, there are now even street food guides who are supposed to make the selection much easier and also give helpful tips on the way so that you know exactly what is ahead of you. In general, it can be said that Thailand’s cuisine scores with freshness, healthy and light ingredients and quick preparation. The different curries are always recommended (have you read my Bangkok tips , do you know what to look for here!), Fried rice or fried noodles with all kinds of vegetables and all kinds of soups. And certainly one or the other is brave enough to do the same giving fried insects a chance. These are considered a delicacy in Thailand and score with their high protein content. Unfortunately, most of the street food stalls in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, have now been banned by the government . Nevertheless, you can still find the typical food stalls in the back streets of the metropolis. Kor hai mue nee pen mue arhan tea aroi na!

Singapore – the mother of street food

Singapore - the mother of street food

Have you already had to loosen your belt or have you even slipped into your sweatpants? Now it is time to mobilize the last of your strength to pay a visit to THE street food city par excellence.

You should try this:

  • Dim Sum
  • Satay skewers
  • Lor Mee
  • Katong Laksa
  • Curries

We’re talking about Singapore! An annual street food festival, countless guides to help you find the perfect location, huge malls that want to outdo each other in terms of the number of their street food stands. As you can see, everything in Singapore depends on the concept of “food to go”. Here, too, you should try curries, soups and noodles, but also try crabs (served whole) with chilli, “dim sum” (filled and steamed dumplings) or satay skewers with peanut sauce. A poem, I tell you. If you want something to look at with dessert, you should go for Ice Kacang. This “mountain” of all kinds of exotic ingredients gets its bright color from condensed milk, which is dripped over the top together with rose syrup and sarsis syrup. The saying “eat with your eyes” takes on a completely different meaning here, doesn’t it? You should definitely visit Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle , the cookshop has even been awarded a Michelin star .

That brings us to the end of my street food journey! Surely you were able to collect a few suggestions for your next travel destination and why shouldn’t this time be chosen based on its culinary highlights ? Have you discovered any interesting street food on your travels or do you have a tip for me as to where my next culinary journey should take me? Then always bring it on! Until then I have to get rid of some ballast …

Discoverers and vegetarians listened to and off to Tel Aviv

Now I’m going to Israel, more precisely to Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is not only an ideal destination to break out of your travel routine, it is also ideal for discovering new, exciting dishes.

You should try this:

  • Falafel
  • Hummus
  • Sabich
  • Shakshuka

Especially the vegetarians among you will find a true paradise here, but all dishes will certainly taste delicious to meat eaters. Falafel in all possible combinations is probably Tel Aviv’s most famous street food and is eaten here almost around the clock.

The fried balls (primarily made from pureed chickpeas or beans as well as spices and herbs) come with tahini (sesame paste) or hummus (chickpea puree) in a flatbread and can then be eaten with pleasure by hand. Sabich actually comes from Iraq, but is also gaining popularity in Israel. Behind this is a pita that is filled with fried aubergines, eggs, pickled cucumbers, onions and hummus, although the composition varies depending on the location and provider. You can find the best at Frishman Falafel & Frishman Sabich near Tel Aviv Port. With this delicacy in hand, you can then look for a quiet place on the harbor promenade and keep an eye on the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.