The Best Off-beat Street Food Markets & Hot-spots in Asia
by Kate G
From bites of sizzling seafood straight from the grill to comforting bowls of rich noodle broth slurped in quiet corners, nothing brings our favourite destinations into Full HD like chowing down on Asia’s best street food. We’re led by our stomachs and love getting straight to the heart of a place through its dishes, especially the honest and immediate delights (and sometimes challenges!) of street food. But finding the very best quick eats among the vast array of possibilities takes a little local know-how. Our Destination Specialists share their top tips on Asia’s best off-beat street food markets, locally-loved stalls and low-key eateries that aren’t on the usual tourist trail.
Truc Bach Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
The Truc Bach Lake area of Hanoi really comes alive at night with locals flocking to eat phở cuốn, one of Truc Bach's culinary specialties. The sought-after phở cuốn in question are soft, rice batter pancakes made into spring rolls and filled with fried beef, garlic and coriander. A popular variation is phở chiên phồng: deep-fried squares of the same batter topped with meat and veg. Wander through the lakeside streets and join local residents in one of the many cafes selling these tempting specialties which Kate describes as ‘absolutely delicious’.
Aluthkade, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Aluthkade (also known as Hulftsdorp) has been cooking up some of Colombo’s best street food for a long while, but recent years have seen vibrant contemporary pop-ups appearing alongside the traditional low-key street carts, and there’s an air of entrepreneurial energy running right through Abdul Hameed Street. As well as being home to some seriously tasty traditional dishes, including mani puttu rice cakes, Aluthkade has become known as somewhere to try new things. Food meets performance as energised chefs cook up everything from super-sized succulent chicken skewers to zingy fresh juices for a hungry audience. You don’t really need signposts to get there, just follow your nose!
Paranthe Wali Gali, Delhi, India
Delhi is one of the most famous street food cities in the world and in its foodie heart - the vast market quarter of Chandni Chowk - whole areas have become known for perfecting specific dishes. One of Aaron’s top spots within these winding thoroughfares is Paranthe Wali Gali, a narrow street specialising in buttery-rich, flakey paratha flatbreads served with a wide range of highly-flavoured side-dishes and chutneys. Some of the eateries here date back to the 1870s, so they certainly know their dough! Opt for traditional paratha accompaniments, like dipping daal or fluffy aloo curries, or try something sweet such as banana, jaggery and cardamom. Comfort food at its best.
Vijay Lal Achar Wala, Jaipur, India
Tucked away amongst the jewellery and gem shops of Jaipur is a different kind of culinary gem altogether: an unassuming pickle shop called Vijay Lal Achar Wala, which is another of Aaron’s favourites. This humble 180-year-old establishment has stood steadfast at the centre of this historic city for generations, with the same family making and selling some of the best (and most pungent!) pickles on the market as the city shifted and changed around them. Their specialty, kairi ka achaar, is full of mango, fennel and mustard and really packs a sweet and sour punch. It has a faithful following, and one jar is unlikely to be enough!
Mount Bromo hawkers, Java, Indonesia
Sometimes street food is about mind-blowing flavour fusion, sometimes it’s about serving up culinary comfort, and sometimes it’s about offering simple dishes in the right place at just the right time. Having woken up in the extremely small hours to find a spot away from the crowds to see Java’s famed Mount Bromo sunrise, Andrew was delighted to discover the cluster of early-bird vendors selling hot coffee and tea and sweet, deep-fried bananas in the volcano’s foothills. What could be better than a warming dose of crisp, fruity fritters and strong caffeine to give you back your zing before tackling a volcanic trek?
Nakamise-dori, Zenkoji Temple, Nagano, Japan
Although they’re not necessarily the first places you’d think of as go-to street food hot-spots, the streets leading up to Japan's major temples can be absolutely great for picking up tasty snacks. Nakamise-dori, within the precincts of Zenkoji Temple, is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, peppered with food stands and little cafes. It’s the perfect place to refuel within sight of the temple gates, whilst watching other visitors come and go. Anna’s top treats to eat here are oyaki: chewy, round dumplings stuffed with a range of seasonal fillings, including sweet red bean paste and miso-roasted eggplant. Choose a selection, take a pew, and watch the world go by.
Tenri, near Kyoto, Japan
One particularly unusual place to find some of Japan’s best quick eats is Tenri, about 40 minutes from Kyoto. The town is best known for the Tenrikyo ‘new religion’, which has its headquarters and many other buildings throughout its streets, but its other claim to fame is as the home of Tenri ramen. Although a little plain, or ‘jimi’, for some, the dish is distinctive for its comforting, savoury flavours of garlic and soy, large portions, and generous toppings of pork and cabbage. Devotees of the dish will drive for miles just to enjoy it in situ.
Street food etiquette in Japan
Eating on the street can be a bit of a social faux pas in Japan, as it’s polite to sit down while dining, but it’s often OK if you eat right in front of the place where you purchased the food or at their street-front counter. Ask the vendor or a local if you’re unsure.
Honourable mentions…
These spots may feel a little more mainstream, but they’re still a side-step from the usual route and serve up some incredible food.
Lou loves Maxwell’s Food Court in Singapore as a less-crowded alternative to some of the main spots. It's great value, wide-ranging and has something for every taste.
Nathan recommends Capitol Satay in Malacca as a fantastic place for a speedy sociable bite. Eat your fill of stick-mounted meats and vegetables cooked in hot satay sauce in the middle of the table, fondue-style.
Topspot Food Court in Kuching, Borneo might be pretty popular, but Caroline confirms that this is for a very good reason: fantastic seafood. Although the experience can be a bit hit and miss, depending on when you visit, the bustle is all part of its charm.
by Kate G on 12th January 2025