Take it to the Streets

Asia’s great food destinations are evolving constantly, with high end culinary arbiters such as MICHELIN and World’s 50 Best spurring creative chefs in cities across the region to even loftier heights. Yet while the pinnacle of the region’s dining scenes are constantly being polished, there are many who would argue that the culinary soul of cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Taipei lies in their cornucopia of casual street eats. Affordable, generally safe, and mostly downright delicious, these simple sidewalk sizzlers provide a charismatic counterpoint to the heady gastronomy found at the other end of the dining scale.

Bangkok‘s reputation as one of the world’s most incredible culinary destinations rests on its options for hawker food. Street chefs produce a fantastic array of Thai food classics, whipping up everything from Chinese-inspired stir-fries to spicy salads, curries and grilled meats.  At popular stalls, the chatter of excitable conversation is drowned out by the sound of loud, satisfied slurps. It’s little wonder then that the Thai capital is often cited as the planet’s street food Mecca. Therefore, investigating the cornucopia of fantastic banquets to be sampled curb-side is an integral part of the Bangkok dining experience. The most famous Bangkok street food option is, of course, Michelin-starred Jay Fai, whose crab omelets are a thing of beauty and renown. Other top choices include Guay Jub Mr Jo for a peppery broth studded with pieces of crispy pork and Chakki, famed for its smoky rad na (fresh noodles with gravy).

Taipei is among the world’s best food cities. And Yongkang Street is arguably its culinary epicenter. It brims with a blend of budget food stalls and the occasional fancy restaurant. Highlights include the first-ever Din Tai Fung, the dumpling chain that has now gone global. Also worth trying is the local institution Yong Kang Beef Noodle. Elsewhere, the city’s night markets are legendary affairs and are especially conducive to a fun evening of casual dining. The most famous is arguably Shilin Night Market. Here visitors will find the full roster of Taiwanese street food classics including stinky tofu, baozi (steamed, filled buns) beef noodle soup and giant deep-fried chicken steaks. Recommended are the oyster omelets, said by locals to be the best in Taipei.

Singapore’s long-standing reputation for culinary excellence makes it one of the best places in the world for dining. The country covers every possible base from delicious local fare to some of the finest restaurants in Asia. A large part of the food scene’s appeal lies in its egalitarianism. Rich locals can be found queuing with less solvent souls at the city’s hawker centers for the perfect plate of chicken rice or bowl of laksa — two of the de facto national dishes. Michelin has given many of the best hawker stands in the country recognition via its Bib Gourmand accolade. Top stalls include Beach Road Fish Head Bee Hoon, Bismillah Biryani, and Zion Road Fried Kawa Teow which was given the seal of approval by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and is famous for its wok-kissed noodles.

Attention to detail is crucial in Japanese cuisine. That is not to say that eating out in Japan is anything approaching prissy, however. Dishes such as yakitori (grilled skewers) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake) are perfect accompaniments to long sessions of merriment while hungry Japanese slurping at their ramen noodles is a staple soundtrack in the country. Tokyo’s incredible street food culture is best sampled in several famous hubs throughout the city. Tsukiji Outer Market is famous for fresh seafood and sushi. Asakusa offers traditional snacks like taiyaki and senbei. Harajuku’s Takeshita Street is renowned for colorful crepes and quirky treats. Ameya-Yokocho in Ueno features diverse street eats, while Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku is crammed with tiny izakaya joints purveying a full range of classics.

Seoul abounds with great eats, from street food to fine dining. For a down-to-earth experience, wash down treats such as fried chicken, kimchi pancakes, and dukboki (fish cakes) with beer, soju or makgeolli, the fizzy fermented drink that’s enjoying a revival courtesy of food-driven bars like humble Damotori in Yongsan and Namsan Sool Club in neighboring Itaewon. Other top street food spots include Myeongdong, famous for tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and hotteok (filled pancakes). Gwangjang Market offers traditional dishes like bindaetteok (savory mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap (rice rolls). Insadong is great for unique treats like dragon’s beard candy. Hongdae is popular for creative, youthful snacks. Dongdaemun Night Market showcases a variety of Korean street foods, perfect for late-night cravings.