If you want to enjoy Asia's delicious street food but can't travel right now, don't worry. With our recipe collection, you can make these tasty street food favorites at home, just like the real thing!
1. Pad Thai (Thailand)
Pad Thai is one of Thailand's most beloved dishes, and it's a staple at street food stalls across the country. This stir-fried noodle dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Typically, it includes rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, and peanuts, all tossed in a tangy tamarind sauce. A squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro add the finishing touches.
2. Banh Mi (Vietnam)
Banh Mi is Vietnam's take on the sandwich, and it's a delicious fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors. This baguette is filled with a variety of ingredients such as pickled vegetables, cilantro, pate, and your choice of meat, often pork or chicken. The combination of the crusty bread with savory and fresh fillings makes it a perfect grab-and-go meal.
3. Takoyaki (Japan)
Takoyaki, or octopus balls, are a popular street food in Japan, especially in Osaka. These small, round snacks are made from a batter filled with pieces of octopus, pickled ginger, and green onions. They are cooked in a special molded pan, giving them their distinctive shape, and are served with a drizzle of takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and a sprinkle of bonito flakes.
4. Satay (Indonesia/Malaysia)
Satay is a skewered and grilled meat dish that originated in Indonesia and is also popular in Malaysia. The meat, often chicken or beef, is marinated in a mixture of spices and then grilled to perfection over an open flame. Satay is typically served with a rich and creamy peanut sauce, making it a flavorful and satisfying street food option.
5. Xiao Long Bao (China)
Xiao Long Bao, or soup dumplings, are a delicacy from Shanghai that has become popular worldwide. These steamed dumplings are filled with a mixture of minced pork and a savory broth, creating a burst of flavor with each bite. The art of eating Xiao Long Bao involves carefully biting into the dumpling to release the hot broth before enjoying the rest of the dumpling.
6. Roti Canai (Malaysia)
Roti Canai is a flaky, buttery flatbread that is a staple of Malaysian street food. It is often served with a side of curry for dipping, making it a versatile and satisfying snack or meal. The dough is stretched thin and folded multiple times to create its signature layers before being cooked on a hot griddle.
7. Som Tam (Thailand)
Som Tam, or green papaya salad, is a refreshing and spicy dish from Thailand. This salad combines shredded green papaya with tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, and chilies, all tossed in a dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar. The result is a tangy, crunchy, and spicy dish that is perfect for a hot day.
8. Korean Fried Chicken (South Korea)
Korean Fried Chicken is a popular street food that has gained international fame for its crispy texture and flavorful sauces. The chicken is double-fried to achieve a perfect crunch, then coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made from gochujang (Korean chili paste) or soy sauce. It’s often served with pickled radish and cold beer, making it a favorite late-night snack.
9. Pho (Vietnam)
Pho is Vietnam's iconic noodle soup, typically made with a rich beef broth, rice noodles, and thinly sliced beef or chicken. It's garnished with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chilies. Pho is enjoyed at any time of day, and it's especially comforting as a breakfast dish.
10. Mango Sticky Rice (Thailand)
Mango Sticky Rice is a classic Thai dessert that is both simple and delicious. It consists of sweet, glutinous rice served with ripe mango slices and a drizzle of coconut milk. The combination of the creamy, sticky rice with the juicy mango creates a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
11. Gua Bao (Taiwan)
Gua Bao, also known as a Taiwanese pork belly bun, is a popular street food in Taiwan. It features a soft, steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts, and cilantro. The rich, savory pork contrasts beautifully with the tangy pickles and fluffy bun.
12. Lumpia (Philippines)
Lumpia is the Filipino version of spring rolls, filled with a mixture of ground meat, vegetables, and sometimes shrimp. They are rolled in a thin wrapper and fried until crispy and golden brown. Lumpia is often served with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce, making it a perfect snack or appetizer.
13. Hainanese Chicken Rice (Singapore)
Hainanese Chicken Rice is a simple yet flavorful dish from Singapore that has become a national favorite. The chicken is poached until tender and served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. Accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces—ginger, chili, and dark soy—it’s a dish that exemplifies the beauty of simplicity.
14. Bibimbap (South Korea)
Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish that translates to "mixed rice." It consists of a bowl of warm rice topped with a variety of vegetables, marinated beef, a fried egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). The ingredients are mixed together just before eating, creating a vibrant and flavorful meal that can be customized to taste.
15. Laksa (Malaysia/Singapore)
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup that blends Chinese and Malay culinary traditions. There are many variations, but the most common version features rice noodles in a rich, spicy coconut milk broth, with toppings such as shrimp, chicken, tofu, and bean sprouts. The combination of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors makes Laksa a must-try dish.
16. Jianbing (China)
Jianbing is a popular street food breakfast in China, often described as a Chinese crepe. It’s made from a thin batter of flour and eggs, cooked on a griddle, and filled with a variety of ingredients such as scallions, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and a crispy fried cracker. The crepe is folded up and served hot, making it a perfect grab-and-go meal.
17. Char Kway Teow (Malaysia)
Char Kway Teow is a beloved street food dish in Malaysia, made from flat rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and chives. The dish is cooked in a hot wok with soy sauce and a touch of chili, giving it a smoky flavor known as "wok hei." It’s a rich and satisfying dish that is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
18. Balut (Philippines)
Balut is a unique and adventurous street food from the Philippines, consisting of a fertilized duck egg that is boiled and eaten from the shell. The egg contains a partially developed duck embryo, and it’s often served with a pinch of salt and vinegar. While it may not be for everyone, balut is considered a delicacy in the Philippines and is often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer.
19. Rendang (Indonesia)
Rendang is a slow-cooked dry curry from Indonesia, traditionally made with beef that is simmered in coconut milk and a mixture of spices for several hours until the liquid evaporates, leaving the meat tender and infused with flavor. The dish is rich, complex, and fragrant, with a slightly caramelized taste. Rendang is often served with steamed rice and is a staple at celebrations and festivals.
Bringing Asian Street Food to Your Kitchen
While nothing compares to the experience of enjoying these dishes from a street vendor in Asia, you can recreate many of these flavors at home. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can bring the vibrant street food culture of Asia to your kitchen.
At OTAO Kitchen, we offer cooking classes that teach you how to make these and other Asian street food dishes right in your own kitchen. Our Asian Street Food Cooking Class is perfect for food enthusiasts who want to learn the secrets of these beloved dishes. Whether you're interested in mastering the art of stir-frying or want to perfect your dumpling-making skills, our classes provide a hands-on experience with expert guidance.
Join us at OTAO Kitchen, where we bring the flavors of Asian street food to life. Our classes are not only fun but also a great way to connect with fellow food lovers and expand your culinary repertoire. Sign up today and start your journey into the delicious world of Asian street food!
