10 Best Street Food (Costs & Tips, 2026)
10 of the world's best street food, picked for real costs and real local tips. Save one, track your experiences, and share them with friends.
Jalan Alor night market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jalan Alor night market, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RM25–30 (~$6) gets a full meal with satay, char kway teow, and fresh coconut. Go after 7pm when all stalls are operating. The grilled stingray at the first row of stalls is unmissable.
Thip Samai pad thai, Bangkok, Thailand
Thip Samai pad thai, Bangkok, Thailand
Widely regarded as the best pad thai in the world — 120 baht (~$3.50) for the premium version wrapped in egg. Located on Maha Chai Road near Wat Saket. Queue starts at 5pm — arrive early or after 9pm.
Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore
Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice, Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore
SGD$5 for a plate of chicken rice that has a permanent queue and a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Maxwell Food Centre, Stall 10. Go at 11am before the lunchtime rush. Anthony Bourdain called it one of the best things he ever ate.
Tacos al pastor at El Huequito, Mexico City, Mexico
Tacos al pastor at El Huequito, Mexico City, Mexico
El Huequito on Calle Bolívar has been serving tacos al pastor since 1959 — 3 tacos for ~MX$60 ($3). The vertical trompo spit is directly visible from the street. Open until 3am, busiest after midnight.
Banh mi at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Banh mi at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
50,000 VND (~$2) for what many consider the finest banh mi in the world. Located on Lê Thị Riêng Street, District 1. Arrive before 7pm — they sell out and close. The pork pâté and pickled daikon combination is exceptional.
Döner at Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap, Berlin, Germany
Döner at Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap, Berlin, Germany
€5.50 for a vegetable kebab with the longest permanent queue in Berlin. Mehringdamm 32, next to the U-Bahn. Go at 2pm on a weekday to minimise the wait — weekend queues can be 45 minutes. Worth every minute.
7-Eleven or Lawson convenience store food, Tokyo, Japan
7-Eleven or Lawson convenience store food, Tokyo, Japan
Japan's convenience stores are a genuine food destination. Onigiri from ¥130, katsu sandwiches from ¥280, hot ramen available 24 hours. The quality is restaurant-level at a fraction of the price — a deliberate cultural institution, not a compromise.
Souvlaki pita at O Kostas, Athens, Greece
Souvlaki pita at O Kostas, Athens, Greece
€2.50 for a pork souvlaki pita in Plateia Agia Irini near Monastiraki — a permanent queue of locals is the endorsement. Open lunch only, closes when sold out (usually 3–4pm). Cash only.
Mutton biryani at Karim's, Old Delhi, India
Mutton biryani at Karim's, Old Delhi, India
Karim's in Gali Kababiyan near Jama Masjid has served mutton biryani since 1913. A full meal costs ~₹250 ($3). The mutton korma is equally legendary. Sit inside for the full atmosphere — the kitchen is open and visible.
Xi'an lamb skewers at Huimin Street night market, Xi'an, China
Xi'an lamb skewers at Huimin Street night market, Xi'an, China
The Muslim Quarter's Huimin Street is the most atmospheric food street in China. Lamb skewers (羊肉串) cost ¥5 each (~$0.70), cold liangpi noodles ¥10 (~$1.40). Go after 7pm when the lanterns are lit. Biang biang noodles are the must-order.