When it comes to tasty and savoury meals, Street Food tops the chart. Due to their affordable rates, they are commonly consumed across street corners, markets, and public transit stations that give them the title.
As a tourist, the opportunity to eat street food will give you a taste of local cuisine and flavours in an authentic way. In this way, you can enjoy the regional on-the-go snacks that are different from the standard dishes of a place tried by everyone.
In this way, you can enjoy a city’s signature dishes without committing to a lengthy meal. Also, the casual and open-air setting will allow you to interact with locals and visitors and mingle over flavorful bites.
Are you a fan of street food items? If so, we have mentioned a list of few Must-Taste Street Eats that you must have at least once in your lifetime.
5 Must-Try Street Foods In Southeast Asia
1. Pad Thai (Thailand)
Regarding Street Food, the first name that automatically appears in our mind is Thailand. It serves some iconic Street food dishes like the famous Pad Thai Noodles.
It’s a stir-fried noodle dish you will easily find on every street in Bangkok and other places in the country. Although it’s made with thin rice noodles, several other ingredients are added.
It can vary from bean sprouts, eggs, peanuts, and chicken with lime juice, tamarind paste, and palm sugar, among other options. Overall, it is a perfect savoury, sweet and tangy snack.
Also Checkout – The Top 15 Foods Every Foodie Must Try in Thailand
2. Banh mi (Vietnam)
Banh mi is a short Baguette. It is thin with a crisp crust and a soft, airy texture like a sandwich. It’s split lengthwise and filled with savoury ingredients that give it a unique and relishing taste.
Banh mi is a blend of Vietnamese and French influences. It showcases how food is always tied with history, giving an insight into when Vietnam fell under French rule.
Otherwise, the plain bánh mì is a staple dish among the locals. The fillings usually have meats, pâté, pickled veggies, cilantro, chilli peppers, and soy sauce. You will find it at every second street food stall in the country.
3. Satay (Indonesia)
Satay or Sate is a kind of kebab that finds its name on our list of Top Street Foods in Southeast Asia. They are seasoned, skewered and barbecued meat enjoyed by the locals. It’s usually served with a savoury sauce like the peanut sauce.
The spiced meat, which can be chicken or beef, based on your choice, is found on the streets of Java and Bali. Also, you can find them in other parts of the country on your trip to Indonesia. You can find different kinds of Satay that highlight the country’s unique and varied food traditions.
4. BBQ Chicken Skewers (Philippines)
BBQ Pork Skewers, also known as Inihaw or inasal, are different kinds of grilled or pit-roasted barbecue dishes in the country. It’s usually made from pork or chicken. Locally, it’s served on bamboo skewers or in small cubes.
On the streets, you will find street vendors lined up grilling thin strips of marinated chicken shoulder or belly over hot coals. They look tempting and juicy, reflecting a strong charred flavour.
The common sidings with it include a soy sauce and a vinegar-based dip. Some other vendors may give you a sweet, garlicky dipping sauce, a staple Filipino street bite.
5. Samosas (India)
In this list, you can’t miss to include an Indian delight. One must-taste street eat is Samosa. It’s a deep-fried, savoury pastry with a spicy filling. The stuffing consists of spiced potatoes, onions, peas, and lentils.
It’s a typical evening snack in the country. You will find it on nearly every street corner in India. The crispy exterior and flavorful interior make it a world-famous Indian street food. Samosas are commonly vegetarian. However, in some places, you can get Samosas with meat stuffing.
Final Words
If you are a food enthusiast or adventurer, you can’t afford to these “Must-Try Street Foods in Southeast Asia”. The opportunity to try novel combinations of ingredients, flavours and unique touches shouldn’t be missed at any cost. Street food holds the soul of a place with the region’s essence that speaks a lot about the locality and its people.
The low cost of street food makes it easily accessible and appeals to people across cultures and classes. So, it’s unsurprising that they invite people from around the globe who intend to relish every bite of it. At the same time, it makes the community connect more deeply with each other like nothing else.
Also Checkout – Unforgettable Food Journeys: 10 Must Try Dishes from Different Indian States