Being The Street Food Guy in my other life means I take more than a passing interest in the best street food cities in the world. I’ve visited all of these places with Young Pioneer Tours and I can personally vouch for the quality and authenticity of the street food.
This is my updated list counting down from ten to one, featuring background, must-try dishes, and a focus on the street food city that YPT go to (at least sometimes).
10) Rason, North Korea
Rason is a quiet port city on the Russian border. Streets are lined with Soviet-era buildings and modest local markets. Life here moves slowly, giving street food a very local feel.
Must-try dish: grilled corn on the cob brushed with butter and dusted with chili, sold from tiny roadside carts near the docks.
9) Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Nadi)
The Pacific Islands are all about tropical flavors. In Nadi, life revolves around local markets and street stalls where seafood and coconut dominate.
Must-try dish: Raw tuna!!!!!!!! The Pacific islands are all about the best raw tuna available anywhere in the world.
8) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cambodia’s capital is chaotic, hot, and endlessly rewarding for street food fans. Vendors sell snacks on almost every corner, from riverside boulevards to narrow alleyways.
Must-try dish: num pang, a baguette sandwich filled with pork, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs. Check out the stalls around Central Market and Russian Market.
7) Osaka, Japan
Osaka is widely regarded as Japan’s food capital. Streets are alive with vendors selling everything from fried skewers to fresh seafood, and the neon-lit districts like Dotonbori make for an unforgettable culinary adventure. The city thrives on fast, bold, and indulgent flavors, perfect for wandering with chopsticks in hand.
Must-try dish: takoyaki, little battered balls filled with octopus, drizzled with sauce and mayo, sprinkled with bonito flakes. Best found around Dotonbori or near Namba Station.
6) Dandong, China
On the border with North Korea, Dandong is a lesser-known street food hotspot. Bold, hearty flavors dominate the menu.
Must-try dish: lamb skewers grilled over charcoal, available along the riverside near the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge.
5) Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is famous for a reason. Every street is a food stall or market. Chaos and flavor collide in the best possible way.
Must-try dish: pad thai from a street vendor on Khao San Road. Fresh noodles, tamarind sauce, a squeeze of lime, and roasted peanuts.
4) Hue, Vietnam
Hue’s imperial past translates into some of Vietnam’s richest and most nuanced street food. Markets and riverside stalls sell dishes that date back centuries.
Must-try dish: bun bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup infused with lemongrass and chili. Look for vendors around Dong Ba Market.
3) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa combines traditional Ethiopian flavors with energetic street markets. Roasted corn, lentil stews, and fresh coffee dominate the scene.
Must-try dish: injera with tibs, sourdough pancakes piled with sautéed meat and vegetables, widely available at Piazza Market.
2) Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou is the heart of Cantonese cuisine. Markets and streets overflow with dim sum, pastries, and barbecued meats.
Must-try dish: dim sum, from steamed dumplings to custard buns, particularly near Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street or Beijing Road markets.
1) Da Lat, Vietnam
Perched in the Central Highlands, Da Lat is a mix of French colonial charm, misty forests, and arguably Vietnam’s best street food scene. Markets and riverside stalls offer fresh vegetables, mushrooms, strawberries, and inventive snacks.
Must-try dish: banh trang nuong, a crispy Vietnamese pizza loaded with egg, pork, and spring onions, available at the night market near Le Lai Street.
This list captures my personal top ten best street food cities in the world that Young Pioneer Tours visits. Yes, Pacific Islands isn’t a single country, Vietnam appears twice, and some cities aren’t visited often, but these are the spots where the street food experience is unforgettable.
Click to check our international tours.
About Post Author
