Bangkok Shifted, Penang And Hanoi Become Street Food Asian Champions

JAKARTA - So far, Bangkok is often dubbed Asia's street food paradise. According to a travel magazine from England, the best street food city title this year actually fell to Penang, Malaysia and the capital Vietnam, Hanoi managed to surpass Bangkok, which is only in eighth position.

"The combination of Malay, Chinese, Bikinakan, and Indian cultures makes Penang have a long list of special foods that must be tried, including char queries, laksamic acid, canai bread, and hokkien mee," reads a report from Time Out, quoted from the VN Express page.

Penang is known for his culinary wealth which was born from a long history of cultural mixing. One of the obligatory icons is the katy teow char, a mixture of fried noodles with shrimp, eggs and Chinese sausages combined with bulk sauce.

For those who want to taste the best version, you can stop by Goggles Man Char Kuey Teaw or Left-handed Char Koay Teow, which is a favorite of tourists. In addition, laksamic acid with spicy fresh sauce is also included in the list of foods that should not be missed.

Hanoi occupies the second position with the advantage of pocket-friendly and authentic street food. From the warm pho flavored with spices, Bun cha with grilled meat and rice noodles, to unique egg coffee, Hanoi street culinary has long been a magnet for tourists from around the world.

Time Out compiles this list based on price factors, accessibility, and quality of dishes. As a result, Penang (Malaysia) managed to occupy first place, followed by Hanoi (Vietnam) in second place and Singapore in third.

Meanwhile, quite surprising, Bangkok (Thailand) actually dropped to eighth position, with Phnom Penh (Kamboja) at one level below, which is ninth.

No wonder many were surprised to see Bangkok displaced, considering the city is synonymous with world-wide street snacks.

Why Are Malaysia And Vietnam Superior?

Malaysian cuisine is often praised as one of the best in the world for its mix of spicy, savory, sweet to sour flavors. From Nasi Fat, Laksa, to Roti Canai, the variety of dishes makes culinary tourism a colorful experience.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese culinary has the characteristics of the freshness of the ingredients, the balance of taste, and the simplicity of presentation which make it suitable for all the tongue.