According to the editors at VirtualTourist.com, a user-generated travel site with 1.2 million registered members from 220 countries, the world’s best city for street food fare in Bangkok.
Members specifically recommend Soi Rambuttri in the old district of Bangkok and Soi 38 near Sukumvit for its evening food markets which are open until 3 am. All over Bangkok you can snatch up freshly prepared favorites like Pad Thai, green papaya salads, mango sticky rice, and chicken with green curry for USD 1-2.
While the Thai capital came in first, two other foodie cities in SE Asia took second and third place: Singapore and Penang respectively.
Luxuo notes that Singapore is a likely runner up “for its hybrid gastronomy ranging from Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan fare (Chinese and Malaysian), and its reliably safe and hygienic street food stalls.”
Here is VirtualTourist’s top 10 best street food cities in the world list:
1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Singapore
3. Penang, Malaysia
4. Marrakech, Morocco
5. Palermo, Sicily
6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
7. Istanbul, Turkey
8. Mexico City, Mexico
9. Brussels, Belgium
10. Beachside Ceviche in Ambergris Caye, Belize
There are some surprises like Palermo and Ambergris Caye making the list and no New York City – or any US city.
However Brussels will likely always make the top ten with its famed waffles, frites and escargot carts and food trucks.
Earlier this year, Lonely Planet also offered a guide to the world’s best street food. It focuses more on what to eat where rather than all one city has to offer. Take a look at this round-up highlighting delights like Mohinga from Burma, Burek in Bosnia-Herzegovina or Red red in Ghana.