Best Street Food In Asia

One of the best things about travelling in Asia is all the delicious street food you can enjoy while being on the road! While we have eaten so much wonderful street food in Asia, there is still a sheer uncountable number of Asian dishes we haven’t tried or probably haven’t even heard of yet. So we decided to ask our blogger friends for their take on what is the best street food in Asia, and put it all together in one epic, stomach-rumbling post!

There is so much to love about Asian street food. Street food can be mouthwateringly good everywhere, but street food in Asia is also cheap – really cheap. In a lot of places, you get a fantastic meal including a non-alcoholic drink for about $1-2 USD. Most of the time you don’t even have to wait long for the meal. Street food is normally prepared quickly and is therefore perfect for anyone on the threshold of hanger issues. If you do have to wait for it in a queue for a long time, then at least you know it’s going to taste heavenly!

If you’re concerned about the hygiene of some food stalls, here are some basic tips. First, if you see a lot of people queueing on a street food stall then that means the seller has a quick turnaround and the food never stays sitting there for long. Second, eat when the locals eat. This means you get the freshest food. Third, try to avoid raw salads, ice cubes and fruit you can’t peel first.

To show you some of the best Asian food, our fellow bloggers shared with us their experiences of the yummy street food in Asia. If you don’t have time to read the whole post you can either save it on Pinterest for later or just click the links to get directly to the dishes which interest you the most.

Best street food in Asia – The contenders

• • • Grilled squid stuffed with squid eggs – Bangkok, Thailand
    • Laos Coconut Cakes – Luang Prabang, Laos
    • Unagi No Kabayaki – Osaka, Japan
    • Phở – Hanoi, Vietnam
    • Char Kway Teow – Penang, Malaysia
    • Kaprao Moo Grob – Bangkok, Thailand
    • Sannakji – Seoul, South Korea
    • Lumpia – Manila, Philippines
    • Pepes – Ubud, Indonesia
    • Satay – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Bun Cha – Hanoi, Vietnam
    • Takoyaki – Osaka, Japan
    • Xiaolongbao – Shanghai, China
    • Jalebi – Jodhpur, India
    • Vada Pav – Mumbai, India
    • Karedok – Java, Indonesia
    • Misal Pav – Pune, India
    • Amritsari Fish Fry – Amritsar, India
    • Mohinga Noodles – Yangon, Myanmar
    • Katong Laksa – Singapore

Grilled squid stuffed with squid eggs – Bangkok, Thailand by Stingy Nomads

Seafood and fish are used a lot in Asian cuisine and while some of them are well-known in the world and became popular, like sushi, some dishes are still quite exotic for Western tourists. We like exploring local markets and prefer to eat there rather than in restaurants. Thailand is a real paradise for people who love food markets with famous Bangkok floating markets being a highlight of the market scene.

Amphawa floating market offers a great range of Bangkok street food.  One of the strangest things we ate there was grilled squid stuffed with squid eggs. We didn’t even suspect there were squid eggs in there. When the vendor said eggs, we assumed they were chicken. It looked quite tempting and being a big seafood lover, I was very keen on trying it. I must say, it tasted strange. Mainly because of the squid eggs, which had a very strange texture, especially when you expect it to be chicken eggs. First I thought the eggs were rotten, but then the vendor explained that those are squid eggs. In the end I quite liked it! It’s something different from seafood dishes we got at home. A must try BKK street food for seafood lovers.

You can find grilled squids at some of the street food markets around Bangkok. We saw them at Amphawa and Chatuchak markets. Vendors are selling them during the day but mainly it’s an evening dish. You can eat it with garnish like rice or vegetables. For a portion of squids you’ll pay about THB60/US$2.

If you’re interested in learning more about the food you can find in Bangkok, then you can book a Bangkok Food Tour here.

Laos Coconut Cakes – Luang Prabang, Laos by Life Of Doing

The Night Market in Luang Prabang, Laos is a real foodie paradise. There is plenty of grilled seafood, food on skewers, fried noodles and more to choose from. The most memorable snacks we ate were the coconut cakes (“Khao Nom Kok” in Laotian). The ingredients are simple and made from coconut cream, rice flour and sugar. The finished product is displayed in a homemade container made from banana leaves. The coconut cakes were affordable at 5 pieces for 5000 KIP ($.60 USD) and we had them every evening.

The best way to enjoy this top Asian food is fresh from the pan. Our first bite was heavenly, with the creamy centre from the coconut cream and the crispy edges. It was the perfect amount of sweetness to satisfy the palate. You’ll find several stalls in the Night Market making this highly addictive Asian street food. Look for street food vendors filling a cast iron pan in half circle cups with batter and flipping the cakes when done. The process is similar to making Japanese Takoyaki. We hope you’ll try them during your next visit to the market.

Unagi No Kabayaki – Osaka, Japan by 2 Aussie Travellers

Food is one of the big attractions that keeps enticing us back to Japan.  When asked for a special dish I’m drawn to Unagi No Kabayaki and a fabulous little food stall where we ate it recently.

Unagi is fresh water eel and Kabayaki refers to the way it’s prepared and cooked. The eel is brushed with a marinade of soy sauce, sake and a touch of sweetness before being skewered and grilled.  Unagi No Kabayaki has been a popular dish in Japan since the 1600’s when it was an affordable dish for the masses. Today it’s considered a more luxury item and one you need to try.

This most delicious food is served in many places even making its way onto Michelin-starred menus, but the spot I would suggest is called Marusho-Suisan and is tucked away in the north west corner of Kuromon Market in Osaka.  It specialises in the freshest local seafood and the eel is no exception. Served in a tiny seating area by the friendly staff, this really was some of the best Unagi I have eaten and for Y800 (approx. $8) it was a real bargain. It was soft, delicious in its simplicity and grilled to perfection. It is definitely one of the best Asian dishes! If you’d like to taste more of Osaka’s delicious street food, you can book an Osaka Street Food tour here.

Phở – Hanoi, Vietnam by Queer in the world

My vote for the best street food in Asia has got to go to Phở, that quintessential Vietnamese dish of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat that taste so “pho-king” good. Today the national dish of Vietnam, Phở is prepared differently in every city, but it actually originated in the north of Vietnam – and for me this is still the best place to try it.

In Hanoi  – the capital –  you can find street-side vendors selling it from dawn to dusk all over the city. The longer the line, the better the Phở – and you should never pay more than a few dollars on the street for a bowl that will leave you feeling full all day!

While Obama sat on his little plastic stool inside the Bún Chả Hương Liên Pho shop, my recommendation would be to head to the Hanoi Train street and sit rail-side slurping noodles as a freight train rushes past just meters away. An experience and meal you will never forget! An other great way to experience this famous dish, is on a Hanoi Food Tour.

Char Kway Teow – Penang, Malaysia by Hello Raya

Penang is an absolute food haven – the undisputed food capital of Malaysia and maybe even the food capital of the world. And Penang takes their food seriously. I mean the “you could sometimes be waiting in line for an hour” kind of serious. But hey, that’s the beauty of exploring the food culture!

There is so much to eat in Penang. You might be asking where to even start? I say a hot plate of freshly fried up Char Kway Teow is an absolute must try while in Penang. The Penang street food style of Char Kway Teow is a balance of flavours, just like so much of Malaysian food. There needs to be a balance of sweet, spicy and salty. These noodles are usually cooked with seafood including prawn and cockles, and egg (try the duck egg version).

Now, if you are after the best Char Kway Teow in town, look no further than the Siam Road Char Kway Teow. This vendor is an old uncle, deemed the ‘king of Char Kway Teow’, who has been cooking the beloved noodles for years. Today the Siam Road Char Kway Teow is an absolute hot tip in Penang if you are out to find the best Char Kway Teow in town. But going after the best hawker food in Penang, means you better be prepared to wait. Sometimes you could be waiting for 1-2 hours before you can get your hands on a plate.

 What makes the Siam Road Char Kway Teow so famous is the fact, that the noodles are cooked over hot coals. This is extremely rare to find these days. Said technique makes the wok achieve its maximum heat, what is called the Wok Hei (very high heat of the wok). This offers a perfect charring to cook the noodles. Add a perfect balance of seasoning, spice, and seafood and voila, you’ll have yourself a super delicious plate of noodles.   

Kaprao Moo Grob – Bangkok, Thailand by Live Less Ordinary 

Easily one of the most popular dishes at Bangkok street food and shophouse restaurants, yet not so well celebrated otherwise, would be Pad Kaprao (stir-fried holy basil). A dish which is prepared with various meats, including favourites of minced pork (Moo Sap) and chicken (Gai). My own preference will always be crispy pork belly (Moo Grob), as in Stir-fried Crispy Pork Belly with Holy Basil (Kaprao Moo Grob). As some of the best food in Bangkok, it’s normally also the first and probably last dish I eat on any visit to Bangkok.

This simple street food dish is ridiculously quick and easy to make. The chef fuses crispy pork belly, with garlic, red bird’s eye chillies, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, fish sauce, and occasionally a taste of other vegetables (to pretend it is somewhat healthy) in a stir-fry pan. At the end he throws in the final handful of spicy and peppery holy basil leaves. This Thai street food is then served on a bed of jasmine rice (Lad Khao) and can be eaten at the roadside restaurants or taken away in a container with a plastic spoon. It also goes perfectly when topped with a fried egg (Kai Dao).

Kaprao Moo Grob is typically a lunchtime meal, but can be easily be found all day long. This Thailand street food meal can be tricky to be tracked down anywhere outside of Thailand, due to a short-lived lifespan of holy basil leaves. Either way, it will always be found best in Bangkok. Expect to pay 40-50 Baht with a fried egg.  Book a Bangkok Food Tour if you want to try more delicious dishes from the capital of Thailand!

Sannakji – Seoul, South Korea by Be Marie Korea

Sannakji is a popular traditional Korean street food dish served in Gwangjang market; a street food market in downtown Seoul, South Korea. Gwangjang market is Korea’s oldest traditional wholesale market which is still a hidden gem from tourists. Eighty percent of the vendors are selling some kind of live octopus, and you’re likely to pay around 10 dollar for a plate. 

The amazing street food dish is made from long arm octopus and the animal is killed while being cut into small pieces and served with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. The small tentacle pieces are still moving on the plate due to the complex nerve system of the octopus’, so chewing intensely is a must when eating as otherwise the still active suction cups of the animal can stick to the throat or mouth. Live octopus is served with Soju; a traditional Korean liquor. 

A great way to discover the great street food in Seoul is definitely on a Seoul Street Food Tour!

Lumpia – Manila, Philippines by Travel Photo Discovery

If you walk around the capital city of Manila in the Philippines, you will find a lot of street food vendors selling fresh and hot lumpia. This delicious fried roll (like an egg-roll), available in many variations – veggie style, all meat, meat and vegetables or seafood, is one of the best street foods in the Philippines. The Lumpia roll is most delicious when it is fresh out of the oil fryer. Especially when you mix it with garlic, pepper and vinegar it’s oh so good.

It’s quite similar to spring rolls, which can be found almost all over Southeast Asia. In the Philippines they are a very common snack and you can find those delicacies on most of the social gatherings. You need to try some of those Lumpia when visiting the city and walking around. And if you want to know more about the food of the Philippines, you can even book a Filipino Food Tour in Manila.

Pepes – Ubud, Indonesia by The Discoveries Of

Pepes are sold in small push cards and in warungs in Bali, and of all the street food I tried in Bali, they were some of the best food in the world. These small parcels of mixed tofu/meat, minced bamboo, spices, flour, vegetables and seasoning are wrapped in banana leaf and grilled or steamed until cooked. They can be eaten at any time of the day and provide a filling snack when you are on the move.

It’s not unusual to cook ingredients in banana or bamboo leaves in Asia. The banana leaf keeps the contents inside moist and intensifies the flavours. Eating them is a proper experience! Unwrapping the banana leaf releases a waft of fragrant spices, foretelling the flavours to come. I first tried Pepes from a small street food stall in the centre of Ubud. I wasn’t sure what was inside the parcels grilling on the fire but decided to try one in the spirit of “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Safe to say, once I’d had the first, they featured frequently in my day to day diet.

If you want to learn how to cook your own Balinese food, then you could do so in a Balinese Cooking Class.

Satay – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Tara Lets Anywhere

Satay is a staple of the southeast Asian food culture, but the one in Malaysia is undeniably the most delicious. Satay, a very traditional Asian food, basically means grilled skewered meat. The meat is prepared by being seasoned with various spices, and this not only gives it flavour but also helps caramelise the meat for grilling. Satay can be made from chicken, beef or lamb – in Malaysia, the first is the most common. It is often served with peanut sauce with a slight zing, sometimes with slices of onions and cucumbers. It can be eaten hot off the grill or served with Nasi (rice).

Satay is a common street food in the country, and you can find it in a lot of restaurants and food stalls. In Kuala Lumpur, one of my favourite places to get a Satay is in pasar malams (night markets). In touristy locations like Jalan Alor, 10 pieces of chicken satay costs RM15, but in other quieter pasar malams it costs almost half the price – and of course just as good! It’s perfect for food tripping or when you just want to have something to snack on at night. 

If you would like to dive deeper into the amazing street food scene of Malaysia’s capital, the you could for example book this Kuala Lumpur Street Food Tour!

Bun Cha – Hanoi, Vietnam by With Husband In Tow

Many travellers to Vietnam expect to eat Pho, as it is one of the most commonly known Vietnamese dishes. But there is another noodle dish that is not as well known, that has to be on any must eat in Vietnam list – Bun Cha Ha Noi. “Bun” means noodle in Vietnamese, and “Cha” means two kinds of pork meat. That’s exactly what this dish is.

A heap of dry rice noodles is placed on the dish, along with a broth that includes a group of pork meat balls and a piece of fatty, grilled pork meat. The goal is to dunk the rice noodles into the broth to warm them up. To eat the pork meat, it’s placed on a lettuce or other green leaf, along with additional herbs, like basil or coriander. The leaf is wrapped (think like a burrito or fajita) and dunked into the warm sauce. It’s also possible to add some of the warmed noodle into the leaf.

Bun Cha differs throughout Vietnam, and the version in the south is different than in the north. Bun Cha is one of the top street foods in Hanoi and probably the best food in the east. Although it is served at restaurants, it’s most commonly found on the side of the street. Keep an eye out for someone grilling fresh pork on the side of the road, and you know you’re there. It’s easy to find Bun Cha Ha Noi in the Old Quarter. It’s typically eaten in mid-day. One of the most well-known places for Bun Cha is Bun Cha Huong Lien, where President Obama and Anthony Bourdain stopped for Bun Cha a few years ago.

Takoyaki – Osaka, Japan by Secret Moona 

Contrary to Tokyo known for its high-end restaurants, Osaka is home to food stalls with plenty of reasonably priced food and with that a great food destination. For a taste of Osaka food, Dotonbori is for me the place to be. What I particularly like there is the vibe, the smell of the food, the noise and the shouting of the vendors. But most of all, I love the fact that you can overindulge yourself with all the good street food the Kansai region has to offer.

Takoyaki is perhaps the most famous street food in all of Japan and my favourite. It was in Osaka that I had the tastiest Takoyaki because they were softer, creamier and had bigger pieces of octopus. Making Takoyaki requires being fast. To make it, you need to fill the Takoyaki mould with batter, then add green onions, pieces of octopus tentacles, pickled ginger, tempura scraps and then cover with more mixture. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare them. Once done, they put a special Takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, dry seaweed and bonito flakes on top. They are very hot so wait a few minutes before eating your Takoyaki. Seeing how vendors make Takoyaki is an experience especially the fast hand movements of the vendors as they turn the Takoyaki until they are golden brown.

Creo-Ru Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki – 450 yen. Address: 1 Chome-6-4 Dotonbori, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0071, Japan

Xiaolongbao – Shanghai, China by Wandering Wagars

Shanghai, China is famous for it’s food scene and hosts some of the best street food in the world. This huge city has loads of streets and alleys stuffed with small eateries. From pastries, over coffee to noodles, there is no lack of delicacies to be experienced. But, standing apart from all of these amazing choices is a popular Asian food dish that Shanghai has become known for. Xiaolongbao, or Soup Dumplings are thick, juicy steamed buns prepared in a small bamboo basket called Xialong.

The soup dumplings are normally filled with pork, although sometimes that is substituted with crab and roe or chicken. Xiaolongbao are normally dipped in vinegar and ginger. But be careful! This easy street food is usually steaming hot when it arrives. Xiaolongbao are eaten throughout the day, but rarely for breakfast.

Although Xiaolongbao originated in the Nanxiang region of Shanghai, they have become famous street food around the world. New York City, for example, now has a number or restaurants with their own unique take on these Chinese soup dumplings. Treating ourselves to Xiaolongbao was one of the highlights of our Shanghai street food tour. The dumplings were soft, delicious, and the perfect way to shake off the winter chill.

If you want to book a Food Tour in Shanghai you should have a look at this Eat Like A Local tour.

Jalebi – Jodhpur, India by Our World To Wander

If you want to go wild with some sweets, then you should try the Indian Jalebis. I have to admit that for me it is probably one of the sweetest desserts I’ve had in my entire life. But what is Jalebi? It is a traditional Indian dessert which can also be found in other countries, such as Pakistan or the region of the Middle East.

Jalebis are made of maida flour, saffron, ghee, milk, water, and, of course, the holy sugar. The ingredients are mixed up and the batter, which should be similar to the one used in pancakes, is then deep-fried. When pouring the mixture into the hot oil, you do this in a spiral shape. And of course, lastly, you soak them in sugar syrup. The result is as sweet as you can imagine.

The best place to have this Indian street food is in Jodhpur from the famous guy known as Motu Jalebi Wala. His Jalebis are made in Desi Ghee, a pure clarified butter, making them tastier than in other places. And although the number one rule when in India is to avoid street food, you should forget about it for once and just try the yummy Jalebis.

If you’d prefer to cook yourself, then there is a cooking class available in Jodhpur!

Vada Pav – Mumbai, India by Awara Diaries

Talking of the best Asian street side snacks, one of my favourites is the Vada Pav from Mumbai, India. Vada Pav is the most popular street food in Mumbai, India. It’s the local version of a burger with a patty made of spiced potato, deep fried in gram flour & some flavourful chutneys to go along stuffed between a bread, locally referred to as Pav. This vegetarian street food can be found all over Mumbai and various other cities in India. It’s best enjoyed hot and it is the perfect mid-day/ evening snack. Vada Pav can be referred to as the life line of the city, as many working-class individuals also have it for lunch. It’s quick, it’s cheap and it’s extremely delicious.

Since I live in Mumbai, Vada Pav is something that I eat on a regular basis and has been my favourite canteen snack through my school years. I always recommend those visiting my city to try the Vada Pav without fail. The chutneys that are added between the breads make the Vada Pav a spicy and tangy experience. Along with the Vada Pav, you’re likely to find Samosas (fried triangles with spiced potato stuffings) & vegetable fritters at these stalls which are definitely also worth a bite. So the next time you’re in Mumbai, you know what to eat! And if you want to discover more of the delicious food in Mumbai, you can book a Mumbai Food Tour here.

Approx Cost: INR 15. Best Vendors: Babu Vada Pav, Vile Parle | Outside Mithibai College | Ashok Vada Pav

Karedok – Java, Indonesia by Veggie Vagabonds

As vegans we make it our point to sample all of the vegan food we possibly can in every country we go to. Normally the food we fall in love with the most is the street food and this was also the case in Java, Indonesia. Although it’s not the greatest region for vegans, as soon as we discovered Karedok we fell in love with it. 

Karedok, sometimes called Lotek is a simple street food found in warungs across the island. It’s similar to Gado-Gado, another Indonesian dish which is more famous in the West but Karedok only uses raw ingredients. The dish is a mixed raw vegetable salad with a satay sauce normally prepared right in front of you.

In the salad you’ll traditionally find cucumbers, bean sprouts, cabbage, legumes, Thai basil, and small green aubergines. If you find a good warung it’ll be served with some tofu or tempeh and hot rice. 

The satay sauce is made in a pestle and mortar with peanuts, chilli, garlic, salt, tamarind and other seasonings. It’s commonly served on a leaf or paper sheet so you can take it away and eat. All together it’s the bomb, a really refreshing, zesty dish that you can eat at any times of day, we literally lived off the stuff for 3 months!

If you want to taste more of the Indonesian food, you could do this for example in this Yogyakarta Food Tour in Java.

Misal Pav – Pune, India by  Priya from ahoymatey.blog

Misal pav is a dish that originates in Maharashtra, India. While each city in Maharashtra has its own unique variety of this dish, Pune is particularly well known for it. In a little lane called Shiv Darshan Road at Sahakar Nagar, Pune, is a road-side restaurant called Zakkas Misal Express. Run by father and son, Sandeep and Akshay Nalawade, it serves two kinds of misal pav – Kolhapuri and Nasik.

The Nasik variety being less spicy, I decided to try it. To my delight, it had all the flavour of traditional misal pav with none of the overwhelming, palate-searing fieriness. Akshay told me that the spice for this variety is based on a Nasik black spice mix. Misal pav traditionally comes with farsan (deep-fried pieces of gram flour) and lentils. At Zakkas Misal Express, they serve it with 5 types of farsan, sprouts, curd, and a deep-fried, ultra-crispy Kerala papad.

If you want something to wash it down, there’s 7Up or Mountain Dew. Unfortunately, they don’t serve chaas (buttermilk) that is traditionally served with misal pav in the hot Pune summer. A plate of misal pav at Zakkas Misal Express will cost you 60 rupees (90 cents) and a soft drink to wash it down will cost 15 rupees (23 cents). My total came to 75 rupees ($1.13).

When I was done, my palate was quite pleased, and I had none of the burning sensation that comes with generous helpings of chili powder. For those with delicate palates looking for misal pav in Pune, minus the fiery spices, Zakkas Misal Express is the perfect place to get it.

Address: Shop No. 29, Treasure Park, Sahakar Nagar, Pune 411049
Phone: +91-9561771772

If your belly is craving more Indian food, then you could book this Pune Half-Day Food Tour.

Amritsari Fish Fry – Amritsar, India by ASocialNomad

We ate street food everywhere in Asia. Apart from India. It wasn’t until we got to Amritsar that we delved into the street food culture of the Punjab. And it was well worth the wait. We’d been sent here by friends from Bangalore to find fish.  Here in the furthermost reaches of the Punjab, we were looking for Amritsari Fish fry. We found restaurants that would serve it, but the best, our friends said, was to find the street where all the vendors cooked it in front of you and you sat on a bench in front of their stall and ate it.

It’s a simple dish. A white fish fillet, coated in a batter of spices, garlic, ginger and cumin. It’s fried in hot oil of an indeterminable age and quality. Chaat masala is sprinkled on it before serving and we get raw white onions sprinkled in lemon to eat with it. We eat with our hands, barely able to touch the fish it’s so hot. But, oh so good. 

The fish is freshwater Sole and Singhara from the Harike Pattan and Beas rivers. The Punjab is the land of the 5 rivers, and freshwater fish has become a key part of Punjabi Cuisine. It’s too far from the ocean for sea fish. But who needs that when freshwater fish tastes this good? If you’re interested in visiting Amritsar, then have a look at Best of Amritsar in three days!

Can’t get enough of Indian food? Then why don’t you book this Amritsar Food Tour?

Mohinga Noodles – Yangon, Myanmar by Southeast Asia Time Traveler

On my last visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, I met up with my local guide at an institution that rivals its golden-spired neighbour in popularity. Daw Cho Mohinga, an open-air street side stall, serves only its namesake noodle dish: a favourite breakfast all across Myanmar, eaten by street toughs and party leaders alike.

From its position along Old Yay Tar Shay Road near Shwedagon’s eastern entrance in Yangon, Daw Cho serves up steaming-hot, freshly-made bowls of Mohinga to temple visitors every day.

For all its popularity, Mohinga is simple to make. The broth base uses catfish meat mixed with coriander, lemongrass, lime, and a selection of local spices – this liquid bubbles constantly in Daw Cho, waiting only to be ladled from a giant metal kettle into a bowl of rice noodles. The garnish varies from place to place – in Daw Cho (presumably Yangon in general) we get hard-boiled egg slices and fried dough fritters known as e kya kway.

Daw Cho regulars eat up the slurpy noodles with soup spoons (no chopsticks for mohinga, thank you) – its hearty, uncomplicated goodness gives its eaters all the energy they need for a morning doing devotions around Shwedagon.

Would you like to try more of the street food of Myanmar? Then have a look at this great Yangon Evening Street Food Tour! If you want to know more about Myanmar itself, read this complete Myanmar guide.

Katong Laksa – Singapore by The Wise Travellers

When talking about Singaporean cuisine we must talk about its history. Singapore has been a seaport since their beginning and the large immigrant population brings diversity from different ethnical groups. In Singapore, Peranakans (hybrid Chinese-locals) interacted with local flavours and created a dish called Katong Laksa, this variance is characterised by smaller noodles pieces so it can be eaten only with a spoon.

My first experience with Katong Laksa was a mix of confusion because I was asking myself how I will eat it with a spoon but people around are eating it. It’s better that way since you can enjoy that amazing curry gravy.

Katong Laksa is basically a curry soup with coconut milk and dried shrimp. The seasoning paste includes shallots, garlic, candlenuts or “buah keras” (which are typically used in Peranakan cuisine), ginger, chilli, dried shrimps and paste of shrimp (belacan). After mixing well with oil at low heat, pieces of the lemongrass are added. To this paste, add coconut milk and chicken broth and let it boil. Then add peeled shrimp, cockles, fish cake and salt and pepper. The soup is served in bowls with vermicelli noodles, chopped laksa leaves and fried shallots.

In Singapore, Katong Laksa, as the name said is popular in Katong area but can be found around all town and it cost around 4 SGD. It’s really cheap for a plate so delicious and everyone visiting Singapore should try it. 

One great way to discover the delicious food in Singapore is definitely through the Hawker Centres. You can book a Hawker Centre Food Tour tour here.