Top 10 Must - Try Street Foods in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Laos & Cambodia)
1. Pho (Vietnam)
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Pho is more than a dish — it's a national obsession. This iconic Vietnamese noodle soup features a rich beef or chicken broth, flat rice noodles, and a mix of herbs and lime. Whether you’re starting your day in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, pho is a must-eat street food in Vietnam.
📍Try it in: Hanoi Old Quarter or Saigon's street-side stalls.
2. Pad Thai (Thailand)
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Pad Thai is Thailand’s most famous noodle dish — and for good reason. Made with stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu, shrimp, and a tamarind-based sauce, it’s both sweet and savory. Topped with crushed peanuts and lime, Pad Thai is the ultimate Bangkok street food.
📍Best place: Street vendors near Khao San Road or Silom in Bangkok.
3. Nom Banh Chok (Cambodia)
Cambodian street food, Khmer noodles, what to eat in Cambodia
Known as Khmer noodles, Nom Banh Chok is a light, fragrant noodle dish topped with fish-based green curry and fresh herbs. It’s a popular Cambodian breakfast, especially among locals in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
📍Recommended spot: Central Market, Phnom Penh.
4. Khao Jee (Laos)
Laos street food, Lao baguette sandwich, eat in Vientiane
Khao Jee is the Laotian answer to the Banh Mi — a crispy baguette filled with grilled meats, herbs, pickled vegetables, and spicy chili sauce. It’s a perfect on-the-go street snack in Laos and a must-try for sandwich lovers.
📍Where to try: Morning Market or street stalls in Vientiane.
5. Banh Mi (Vietnam)
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Banh Mi combines the best of French and Vietnamese cuisine in a crusty baguette. Filled with cold cuts, pate, herbs, and pickled carrots, it’s a top Vietnamese street food you’ll find everywhere — from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
📍Top spot: Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, Saigon.
6. Moo Ping (Thailand)
Thai grilled meat, Moo Ping Bangkok, Thailand skewers
Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) is Thailand’s go-to street snack. Marinated in garlic, fish sauce, and coconut milk, then grilled to perfection, it’s served with sticky rice and makes for the perfect night market meal.
📍Where to go: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or Chatuchak Market, Bangkok.
7. Chek Chean (Cambodia)
Cambodian dessert, grilled banana coconut milk, Khmer sweet snacks
Sweet and satisfying, Chek Chean is a traditional Cambodian dessert made with grilled bananas topped with coconut milk and sesame seeds. It’s a great way to end your street food tour with something indulgent.
📍Best found in: Local markets in Siem Reap.
8. Laap (Larb) – Laos
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Laap, or Larb, is a spicy meat salad often made with minced pork or chicken, herbs, lime juice, and roasted rice powder. It’s Laos' national dish and a great introduction to the country’s bold, herbal flavors.
📍Where to eat: Night markets in Luang Prabang or Vientiane.
9. Mango Sticky Rice (Thailand)
mango sticky rice Thailand, Thai dessert Bangkok
This simple yet heavenly Thai dessert combines ripe mango, sticky glutinous rice, and coconut cream. Mango Sticky Rice is widely available across Thailand and makes for a refreshing, light dessert after spicy street food.
📍Don’t miss: Rod Fai Market or Terminal 21 Food Court, Bangkok.
10. Banh Xeo (Vietnam)
Banh Xeo pancake, Vietnamese crepe, Saigon food guide
Banh Xeo is a crispy rice flour pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts. Often wrapped in lettuce and dipped in fish sauce, it’s one of Vietnam’s best street food dishes for texture and flavor.
📍Hot spot: Banh Xeo 46A, Ho Chi Minh City.
Best Street Food Markets in Southeast Asia
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• Hanoi Old Quarter – Northern Vietnamese classics
• Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – Best Thai street food in the north
• Ben Thanh Market (Saigon) – Iconic Vietnamese street food hub
• Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) – Seafood, desserts, and late-night eats
• Vientiane Morning Market – Local eats in Laos
• Siem Reap Night Market – Authentic Cambodian snacks
Exploring street food in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos is the ultimate way to experience local culture. Each dish tells a story — of heritage, flavor, and the rhythm of daily life. Whether you're a backpacker, food vlogger, or first-time visitor, this list will guide your tastebuds through the heart of Southeast Asia.
