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Food is an essential part of travel, but its significance grows infinitely when exploring or living abroad. Asian foods and drinks hold a special place in my heart, offering a window into the culture, traditions, and history of the people. There is something magical about street food in Asia. The sizzling sounds, enticing aromas, and vibrant flavors ignite all the senses, leaving an indelible mark on your memory of a place. Whether it’s a bustling street vendor, an open-air cafe, or a roadside stall, the culinary scene in Asia is a sensory adventure unlike any other.
Do you like night markets? Check out my experience at the Raohe Night Market in Taipei.
South Korea
South Korea offers a variety of street foods that highlight its culinary creativity and bold flavors. While some dishes didn’t resonate with me, others stood out as must-tries.
Dakkochi (Chicken Skewers)
Grilled chicken skewers glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce. These are a popular and satisfying snack.
Pajeon (Savory Pancake)
A savory pancake made with green onions and often mixed with seafood or kimchi. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Gimbap (Korean Sushi Rolls)
Cooked rice, meats, seafood, and vegetables rolled in seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. A convenient and delicious option for a quick meal.
Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
Sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and crushed nuts. They’re a warm and comforting dessert, especially in colder months.
Tanghulu (Sugar-Coated Fruits)
While not originally Korean, Tanghulu has gained popularity. Fruits like strawberries or grapes are skewered and coated in a glossy sugar shell for a crunchy, sweet treat.
My one of my favorite dishes is Niu Rou Mien, a delicious beef noodle soup in Taiwan. Click HERE to learn all about it.
Thailand
Thailand’s street food is unparalleled. Everything, from desserts to savory dishes, bursts with flavor. A must-try is Khao Soi, a northern Thai coconut curry soup made with yellow curry, coconut milk, chicken drumsticks, and crispy noodles. The dish is served with red onions, herbs, and lime—a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. We made it a point to eat Khao Soi multiple times, including at Khao Soi Mae Sai.
Mango Sticky Rice
Another beloved Thai dessert is Mango Sticky Rice. This dish features ripe, sweet mangoes paired with sticky glutinous rice drizzled with creamy coconut milk. It’s a simple yet decadent way to end a meal and is widely available at street markets.
Khao Soi
I love Thai food. And eating Khao Soi was literally the first thing we ate after arriving in Chiang Mai. It was that freaking good, it was also the very last thing we did before leaving Chiang Mai. Khao Soi is a northern Thai coconut curry soup, is an iconic part of the region’s cuisine. It is made with yellow curry, a splash of coconut milk, a chicken drumstick and crunchy noodles on top. The flavors, layered and sweet, sour and spicy. Its served with a side of red onions, herbs, and a lime wedge.
Vietnam
Egg Coffee
Vietnam’s egg coffee is a unique delight. Originating in Hanoi during a milk shortage, this frothy drink combines egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and Robusta coffee. It tastes like liquid tiramisu and quickly became one of my favorites. For an authentic experience, visit Dinh Coffee in Hanoi.
Pho
Vietnamese Pho, a noodle soup with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and beef or chicken, is another staple. Served with bean sprouts, onions, Thai basil, and lime, it embodies the soul of Vietnamese cuisine.
Cao Lau, Banh Mi, and Bò Né
Two more must-try dishes are Cao Lau and Banh Mi. Cao Lau, a regional specialty from Hoi An, combines chewy noodles, tender pork, and fresh herbs in a flavorful broth unique to the area. Banh Mi, a Vietnamese baguette sandwich, is a perfect fusion of French and Vietnamese influences, filled with meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
Another favorite is Vietnamese Sizzling Steak and Eggs (Bò Né). This hearty breakfast dish features tender steak served on a sizzling plate with a fried egg, baguette, and a side of fresh vegetables. It’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Cambodia
Cambodian street food stands out with its fresh fruits, vegetables, and beautiful presentations on banana leaves. Dishes like Fish Amok—curried fish steamed in banana leaves—lemongrass chicken, papaya salad, and fried spring rolls showcase the country’s vibrant flavors.
Beef Lok Lak
A popular Cambodian dish, Beef Lok Lak features tender stir-fried beef served with fresh vegetables and a tangy lime-pepper dipping sauce. It’s simple yet packed with flavor, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
China
Chinese food in China is nothing like the Americanized versions we’re accustomed to. The flavors, textures, and ingredients are more diverse and authentic, reflecting centuries of culinary tradition. One of my best dining experiences was savoring Peking Duck in Beijing. The crispy skin, tender meat, and rich hoisin sauce paired with thin pancakes and fresh vegetables created a perfect balance of flavors.
Another highlight is dim sum, which offers an endless variety of bite-sized delights. Steamed dumplings filled with pork or shrimp, fluffy bao buns with sweet or savory fillings, and crispy spring rolls are just a few examples. Dim sum is traditionally enjoyed as a leisurely meal with tea, making it as much about the experience as the food itself. Whether at a high-end restaurant or a bustling local eatery, exploring China’s culinary landscape is an adventure in itself.
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Final Thoughts
Food transcends necessity when traveling; it becomes a way to connect with people and places. Street food, in particular, bridges cultural divides, sparking conversations and offering a glimpse into the heart of a destination. The sizzling sounds, enticing aromas, and vibrant flavors of Asian street food ignite the senses, leaving a lasting imprint on your memory.
Each bite tells a story, weaving together the traditions, history, and spirit of a place. Whether sharing snacks from a bustling vendor, sipping coffee at an open-air café, or enjoying a craft beer at a roadside stall, these culinary experiences linger long after the journey ends. They are more than meals—they are moments of connection, discovery, and joy, etched into the essence of travel itself.
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I love to see all the different ways people cook in different countries. Everything looks fabulous
Me too. I enjoy tasting different spices, textures and how we use the same foods in different ways.
I love asian cuisine. We can’t wait to make it to Asia and try all the amazing food.
I don’t know how they stay so thin with all the carbs they eat, but yes, it was all yummy.
it’s a treat for the eyes… i loved all your pictures and food made me hungry
Thank you. I love taking photos of food, its center to the travel experience.
Tasty local food is a must when I travel. Living in Toronto, Canada, I blessed with many multicultural restaurants in the city. However, I would love to try all the foods that you mentioned in this post locally. It’s just too good not to try.
I love Toronto, it was of the first places I traveled abroad to. I’ve been to Toronto’s Caribana three times.
Unfortunately I haven´t had the opportunity to travel a lot and mett other cultures but I´d definetely loved to.. thanks for sharing
Start right there where yo live. I bet there are Asian markets close by.
I so agree with you! Food is indeed one of the most important part of travelling because it immerses you in their culture.
The food you have here are all amazing.
So true. Unfortunately some people travel and look for western style restaurants failing to really take advantage of what travel ha to offer us.
These all look delicious and they are making me hungry!! I love a good curry.
I could eat curry once or twice a week. I could also probably wear it as a perfume too. lol
i haven’t had breakfast yet, all this looks so good i could go for a lot of this.
Lol, I should have started with a warning!!!
I visited Indonesia and I really enjoyed Indonesian food. I was totally in love with litchi tea!!
I first started eating litchi in Germany, I love it in salads and drinks too.
What’s even better is that you get to taste these in the country itself instead of a themed restaurant. I think it’s a lovely experience! Thanks for sharing your favorites!
You are so right. Enjoying foods in situ is definitely more delicious. I remember eating a spaghetti marinara in a Roman square and it was the absolutely best spaghetti I can ever remember eating.
Asian food is fresh and very packed with flavor. I love trying out the different dishes that they have to offer! This is a pretty cool list!
IKR, its so much more easy to eat that way with a market on every street. I wish America was like that, and I know why we can’t and that makes me sad too.
Thank you for introducing the Asia dishes because I am not familiar with most of them. All the dishes looks so tasty
Glenda, first of all my best friend in the whole world is Glenda. lol I hope you get a chance to try a few dishes, there are Vietnamese and Thai restaurants everywhere, just ask for their recommendation and dig in.
The spring rolls look awesome. I am definitely curious about the mango sticky rice though. Looks interesting.
David, don’t start mango sticky rice will haunt your dreams if you do. lol
Chiang Mai is definitely on my bucket list! I’ve never been to Asia but Thailand is high on my list. I’ve heard they have amazing fresh fruits, a heavenly place for a vegan!
I recommend anywhere in Thailand. I loved Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok for different reasons.
I’m hungry again. Geez. I’m on a diet! hahaha
you had me with sticky rice…
and pho ba…
…and goi cuon AH!
*walking out*
Should have warned you first. Don’t diet.. that sucks… make a lifestyle change and eat everything in moderation… start with the pho and end with the mango sticky rice.
Yum, dim sum is my go-to food! Such amazing balls of goodness! Now I’m eyeing up the mango sticky rice too… quick Google – where can I get me some of that!?
I had some of THE best dim sum in an airport in Malaysia… an airport kiosk. Unbelievable you just gotta go for it some times, you never know where your next great meal will come from.
Ah, what a collection of yummy photos! We don’t have much variety of Asian restaurants in my city, but after seeing this, I can’t help going to my favorite Japanese restaurant today!
Really, where is that… I need to never go there. lol Sounds like your in need of a ROAD TRIP. Thanks for your support.
I’ll take one of everything! haha. Now I’m starving for some curry!
Thinking about making a curry perfume spray for emergencies when I NEED to calm down and relax.
All of these sound so good! If only I could get a variety of amazing Asian cuisine!
Sounds like someone need a pho or curry fix!!
One of our favorite things when traveling is trying local foods! I’ve not tried most of what you mentioned, and it all looks so great! Might have to head East next!
I am always looking for new foods, I can’t do everything because smell means a lot to me and some stuff (especially here in South Korea) just don’t pass the sniff test.
I lived in Asia for a few years, but never had been to Korea. There is really a coffee made from animal waste? What is it called? That’s crazy!
If you are talking about topi luwak from Bali, I’ve had it and its not bad check it out here… https://duffelbagspouse.com/2016/04/my-top-10-bali/
These foods are making my mouth water! The egg coffee is such an unusual idea, I’d really love to try it!
Its very creamy. It made no sense to me at first., but its delicious.
Great list, who doesn’t love Asian food?! Coming from South East Asia, it’s definitely my kind of food! Fyi, that chicken is wrapped in pandan leaves, not banyan.
Thank you so much for fixing that. I’m lost in translation much of the time over here, which if I’m honest is awesome because it makes the experiences so much more interesting and fun to write about.
I love seeing different food from other cultures. It always looks so appetizing. Hope to try these one day.
I hope so too. I can’t imagine life without all these foods now.
What a treat for the eyes you pictures are beautiful and the content is yummy!!!! I love Thai food it’s one of my absolute favorites ?
Thank you. I find it very hard to take bad pictures here.
All the foods look so delicious! If I’m ever out that way, looks like I have a list for myself of foods to eat!
Dont wait. You should see if you have a Thai or Vietnames restaurant where you live.
What a fabulous post!!! I love street foods wherever I go, it tells you so much about a culture!
Thank you. I am so glad you enjoyed reading. Come back again soon.
All these are amazing food.I’ve tried most of these.I want to highlight the taste of Koren food.The ones we’ve tried so far are really delicious.And I love the taste of Kimchi!
I love kimchi too. I cant eat it everyday like the locals though. I love Asian food for the fresh ingredients.
I’ve been trying to expand my palate lately, so I liked reading this for new ideas. I never know what to order at new Asian restaurants. Really looking forward to trying something Vietnamese!
I highly recommend the Vietnamese food, you’ll enjoy it so go for it.
This is making me hungry! I have never been to Asia, but I want to go there eventually. It seems like there are so many great places to cisit.
I hope you get a chance to visit. Its a fascinating country and culture.
Ooh, I’d love to try dim sum, and also the egg coffee – I imagine the egg yolk being whipped would make the coffee super smooth and creamy. But the goi cuon? Poison sauce? I think I’ll pass.
LOL thats the dreaded auto correct at work. I fixed it thanks, its a peanut goi cuon sauce and its delicious. I ended up drinking two egg coffees and you are exactly right very creamy, no idea there is egg yolk in there.
The pictures of this Asian cuisine look absolutely Amazing . My mouth is watering.
Haha, I hear ya. Its delicious stuff no doubt.
I am drooling all over myself. Everything looks so delicious. I’d want to try all of this! I have never tried dim sum and I need to.
Too many kind to try and so yummy too.
Mmmm all the unique food porn has my attention! Cambodia’s curry was my favorite upon favorites in Asia. Ughhhh SO good!!!
It’s amazing but yes, the curry’s are amazing. I have enjoyed all of them more than I can describe in words.