How Asia Eats: A Map of Its Food Regions
Asia is home to many of the world’s great cuisines, and to its best street food. Rice and noodles anchor most meals, but every region builds on them differently, from the chilli and lime of Southeast Asia to the spice blends of South Asia and the breads and grilled meats of Central Asia.
| Region | What defines the food | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| South Asia | Spices, breads, rice, lentils, sweets; huge vegetarian and halal traditions | What to eat in Bangladesh, Hyderabadi biryani, Delhi chaat, Karachi bun kebab |
| Southeast Asia | Rice, noodles, herbs, chilli, lime, coconut, street food | Bangkok street food, Singapore hawker centres, bánh mì, Isaan food |
| East Asia | Regional Chinese cooking, Japanese precision, Korean fermentation | China’s regional cuisines, dim sum, kaiseki, Seoul street food |
| Central Asia | Plov, tandir bread, samsa, grilled meat, bazaars | Plov in Samarkand, samsa, Central Asian bazaars, beshbarmak |
Our Country Guides
Explore Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, plus guides to Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
Asia’s Best Street Food
Bangkok, Singapore, Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Taipei, Seoul, Delhi, Kolkata and Dhaka are among the world’s great street-food cities. Hawker centres and night markets let you try many dishes cheaply in one place, from fuchka and kathi rolls to Taiwanese beef noodle soup and bubble tea.
Halal Food in Asia
Asia includes the world’s easiest destinations for halal food: Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brunei, the Maldives and Central Asia. Singapore and Hong Kong have well-run halal certification, and India has large Muslim communities with excellent halal food. Japan, Korea, China, Thailand outside the south, and Vietnam take more planning.
Halal note: in East and Southeast Asia, pork appears in broths, dumplings, fried rice and sausages, and alcohol is used in sauces such as mirin, sake and Shaoxing wine. Look for certified halal restaurants, qingzhen (清真) signs in China, and Muslim neighbourhoods. Our guides to Japanese konbini labels, halal Korean BBQ and the halal food travel guide explain what to look for.
Practical Tips
- Eat where it is busy; turnover keeps street food fresh.
- Drink bottled water in most of South and Southeast Asia.
- Learn the local cutlery: chopsticks in East Asia, spoon and fork in Southeast Asia, the right hand in South Asia.
- Tipping is rare in much of East Asia; see our tipping guide.
- Plan your budget with our food budget calculator.
Dishes to Try by Country
| Country | Dishes |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Kacchi biryani, bhuna khichuri, fuchka, hilsa, mishti |
| India | Biryani, thali, chaat, dosa, kathi rolls, Bengali sweets |
| Pakistan | Nihari, karahi, bun kebab, biryani, seekh kebab |
| Thailand | Pad thai, tom yum, som tam, khao man gai, mango sticky rice |
| Vietnam | Phở, bánh mì, bún chả, cao lầu |
| Malaysia and Singapore | Nasi lemak, satay, laksa, roti canai, chilli crab |
| China and Hong Kong | Dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, Peking duck, hotpot |
| Japan | Sushi, ramen, tempura, onigiri, kaiseki |
| South Korea | Bibimbap, kimchi, Korean BBQ, tteokbokki, gimbap |
| Central Asia | Plov, samsa, lagman, non bread, beshbarmak |
Best Food Cities
- Bangkok: endless street food and markets.
- Singapore and Penang: hawker centres with clearly labelled halal stalls.
- Kuala Lumpur: Malay, Chinese and Indian food, much of it halal.
- Dhaka, Delhi, Kolkata and Lahore: biryani, kebabs, chaat and sweets.
- Tokyo and Osaka: precision cooking, from konbini to kaiseki.
- Seoul and Taipei: night markets and street snacks.
- Samarkand and Tashkent: plov centres and bazaars.
Etiquette Tips
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice in East Asia, a gesture associated with funerals. In South Asia, eat with the right hand. In Japan, slurping noodles is fine but tipping is not expected. In Korea, the eldest at the table usually starts eating first.
Halal Food by Country
| How easy | Countries |
|---|---|
| Halal by default | Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brunei, the Maldives, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the other Central Asian republics |
| Easy with certification | Singapore, Hong Kong, India (large Muslim communities), southern Thailand |
| Needs planning | Japan, South Korea, mainland China outside Muslim areas, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines outside Mindanao, northern Thailand |
What a Food Trip Costs
| Destination | Street food | Sit-down meal |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam | About USD 1–4 | About USD 5–15 |
| Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Uzbekistan | About USD 2–5 | About USD 6–20 |
| Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea | About USD 4–10 | About USD 15–40 |
| Japan | About USD 5–12 | About USD 15–60 |
How to Eat at a Night Market or Hawker Centre
- Walk the whole market first and note what locals are queuing for.
- In hawker centres, reserve a table with a packet of tissues, as locals do in Singapore.
- Order from several stalls and share; portions are small and cheap.
- Look for halal certificates or signs, which are displayed at certified stalls in Singapore and Malaysia.
- Return your tray where trays are collected; in Singapore it is expected.
- Carry small cash, though many stalls now take QR payments.
Night markets in Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul and Penang are busiest after 7 pm and can be crowded at weekends. Go early for the widest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the best street food in Asia?
Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and India are most often named; each has a distinct style.
Which country in Asia has the best food?
Opinions differ, but Japan, Thailand, China, India and Vietnam are the most common answers.
What are the top Asian street foods to try?
Pad thai, satay, bánh mì, dim sum, tteokbokki, chaat, fuchka, kathi rolls, samsa and bubble tea are a good start.
Which Asian countries are best for halal food?
Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brunei, Central Asia and Singapore are easiest; Hong Kong and India also have plenty.
Is street food in Asia safe?
Generally yes at busy stalls with hot, freshly cooked food. Avoid tap water and ice in places where water is not treated.
Is Asian food very spicy?
Thai, Sichuan, Korean and much Indian food can be, but most places will make dishes milder if you ask.
What is a hawker centre?
An open-air food court with many independent stalls, common in Singapore and Malaysia, where halal stalls are clearly marked.
Can vegetarians eat well in Asia?
Yes, especially in India and Taiwan. Elsewhere, fish sauce, shrimp paste and meat stock are common, so ask.
What should I eat in Bangladesh?
Kacchi biryani, bhuna khichuri, hilsa, fuchka and Bengali sweets such as rasgulla and mishti doi. See our guide to what to eat in Bangladesh.
Is Japan difficult for halal food?
It takes planning, because pork and alcohol-based seasonings such as mirin are common, but halal and Muslim-friendly restaurants are growing in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Which Asian city is best for a first food trip?
Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang are easy and varied, and Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are especially easy for halal food.
Do I need to tip in Asia?
Usually not in Japan, South Korea, China or Vietnam. In Thailand and Indonesia, small tips are appreciated, and in India and Pakistan, 5–10% is common at restaurants. Check our tipping guide for each country.
What is the difference between halal and Muslim-friendly?
Halal means certified or prepared according to Islamic rules. Muslim-friendly usually means no pork or alcohol, but the meat may not be halal-slaughtered, so ask.