5 Street Foods You Should Try in Southeast Asia

by Paul Wenceslao / August 12, 2019

Southeast Asia’s cultural diversity means there’s a wide range of street food to try.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Southeast Asia, and many of those revolve around the bustling street food scene. Southeast Asia’s cultural diversity means there’s a wide range of street fare you can try. From light salads, to portable snacks, to amazing main courses, every foodie will have a field day with the street food.

Mouth-watering choices can be found all over Southeast Asia, and the problem of any hungry traveler will be: which one do I eat first? We’re here to make your life easier by pointing out which dishes should be on your list of things to try.

1. Sisig (Philippines)

While this dish is more commonly associated with restaurants, a food stall in Metro Manila’s central business district thought of serving sisig to Makati’s working populace, and it became a huge hit. The sisig found on Rada Street is a tasty assemblage of crispy and soft pork bits, mayonnaise, onions, a fried egg, and calamansi, alongside a generous serving of rice. It’s meaty with a tinge of sweetness and tartness, coupled with a light crunch.

2. Curry Laksa (Singapore)

Singapore has arguably the busiest street food scene in Southeast Asia, and one of the favorites among locals and tourists is the curry laksa sold in many hawker centers. The curry sauce blends like a symphony with the coconut cream, and then there’s a thick zest mixed with seafood, vegetables, noodles, and tofu. So, just how good is the curry laksa in Singapore? No less than Gordon Ramsey was beaten by a laska street vendor in a cooking contest.

3. Satay (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)

Barbecues are popular throughout the region, but the most flavorful ones are found in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It is Indonesia’s national dish after all. The meat has a bit of sweetness to it, and is tender and grilled to a light char, then served with a portion of peanut sauce and a side salad. You’re bound to finish a lot of rice if you order several skewers.

4. Banh Mi (Vietnam)

5. Khao Pad and Khao Khluk Kapi (Thailand)

With rice being a common staple in Southeast Asia, Thailand came up with fried rice that’s savory but still versatile enough to go well with any sort of dish, including complex stews and curries. What makes khao pad special is that it’s cooked in meat or seafood – some sellers even cook it in curry – while in khao khluk kapi, the fried rice is lathered in shrimp paste and has mango slices. Chunks of meat, veggies, herbs, and spices are added.  Even if you don’t order any other dish to accompany the rice, you would still be thoroughly satisfied.

Do you have other Southeast Asian street foods in mind? Let us know in the comments section below.