From Bangkok to Bogotá: 15 cities serving gastronomic excellence on the streets
From sizzling woks in Bangkok to smoky arepas in Bogotá, here we have curated a list of 15 destinations that prove culinary excellence doesn't always come with white tablecloths. Do add your favourite city and the street food you like, and we might just add it into our list and make it 16. Here, the streets themselves become Michelin-starred stages of flavor and culture.
Bangkok, Thailand
From Pad Thai sizzling in woks to mango sticky rice, the city is basically one giant outdoor buffet.
Don't miss Yaowarat Road in Chinatown for food that will blow your taste buds away.
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Mexico City, Mexico
This is where you get the best tacos. Street vendors serve up everything from al pastor on a spit to quesadillas stuffed with huitlacoche (corn fungus that tastes way better than it sounds). Also, churros dipped in hot chocolate for dessert.
Istanbul, Turkey
Simit sellers stroll the streets with sesame-crusted bread rings, while the aroma of roasted chestnuts mixed with doner kebabs spinning on vertical grills.
Eating in Istanbul is basically an edible history lesson.
Mumbai, India
Vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, Mumbai own the street food scene like a pro. The city runs on snacks, and you'll find everything from spicy to sweet crammed into handheld portions that cost less than your metro ticket.
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Pho might be the star, but the real fun is in the bánh mì sandwiches piled high with pickled veggies and pâté. Add iced coffee with condensed milk, and you're golden.
Marrakech, Morocco
Jemaa el-Fnaa square is a carnival for your senses. Smoke rises from grills loaded with kebabs, snail soup simmers in pots, and fresh orange juice is served everywhere.
New Orleans, USA
Street food here has soul. Po'boys, jambalaya, beignets dusted in sugar, it's Southern comfort with jazz in the background. Forget fine dining; grab a muffuletta sandwich and wander.
Singapore
This is where street food got a Michelin star. Hawker centres dish out laksa, chicken rice, satay, and chilli crab.
Also, you don't have to worry about hygiene, Singapore keeps it squeaky clean.
Tokyo, Japan
You'll spot yakitori stalls near train stations, takoyaki (octopus balls) sizzling at street corners, and sweet taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) in busy alleys. Street food here is fast, fun, and everything that you didn't expect.
Lima, Peru
Ceviche from a roadside stall? Yes, please. Lima's street scene mixes indigenous and Spanish flavours, with anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) being the ultimate must-try.
Berlin, Germany
Forget bratwurst stereotypes. Berlin is all about currywurst, sausages drowned in ketchup and curry powder. It sounds wrong, but it tastes so right (especially at 2 am).
Seoul, South Korea
From tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to hotteok (syrup-filled pancakes), Seoul is the definition of snacking heaven. The city even has entire markets devoted to grazing.
Cairo, Egypt
Koshari carts rule the streets here, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and fried onions all in one glorious pile.
Add falafel and shawarma, and Cairo's sidewalks might as well be banquet tables.
Brussels, Belgium
Sure, it's waffles and fries, but not just any fries. Belgians double-fry theirs and drown them in mayo. Add a cone of frites to your hand and suddenly sightseeing gets easier.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is all about tlayudas (giant crispy tortillas loaded with toppings) and chapulines (grasshoppers). Crunchy, weird, and delicious.
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Time of India
21 hours ago
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From Bangkok to Bogotá: 15 cities serving gastronomic excellence on the streets
Street food is the heartbeat of a city, serving century-old nostalgia on a plate. It's where tradition meets flavor, and why we keep returning to our favorite cities just to relive the taste of our favorite bites. From sizzling woks in Bangkok to smoky arepas in Bogotá, here we have curated a list of 15 destinations that prove culinary excellence doesn't always come with white tablecloths. Do add your favourite city and the street food you like, and we might just add it into our list and make it 16. Here, the streets themselves become Michelin-starred stages of flavor and culture. Bangkok, Thailand From Pad Thai sizzling in woks to mango sticky rice, the city is basically one giant outdoor buffet. Don't miss Yaowarat Road in Chinatown for food that will blow your taste buds away. Read more: Dubai Airport unveils AI-powered passenger corridor that lets travellers clear immigration in seconds Mexico City, Mexico This is where you get the best tacos. Street vendors serve up everything from al pastor on a spit to quesadillas stuffed with huitlacoche (corn fungus that tastes way better than it sounds). Also, churros dipped in hot chocolate for dessert. Istanbul, Turkey Simit sellers stroll the streets with sesame-crusted bread rings, while the aroma of roasted chestnuts mixed with doner kebabs spinning on vertical grills. Eating in Istanbul is basically an edible history lesson. Mumbai, India Vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, Mumbai own the street food scene like a pro. The city runs on snacks, and you'll find everything from spicy to sweet crammed into handheld portions that cost less than your metro ticket. Read more: India's most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites for photography lovers! Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Pho might be the star, but the real fun is in the bánh mì sandwiches piled high with pickled veggies and pâté. Add iced coffee with condensed milk, and you're golden. Marrakech, Morocco Jemaa el-Fnaa square is a carnival for your senses. Smoke rises from grills loaded with kebabs, snail soup simmers in pots, and fresh orange juice is served everywhere. New Orleans, USA Street food here has soul. Po'boys, jambalaya, beignets dusted in sugar, it's Southern comfort with jazz in the background. Forget fine dining; grab a muffuletta sandwich and wander. Singapore This is where street food got a Michelin star. Hawker centres dish out laksa, chicken rice, satay, and chilli crab. Also, you don't have to worry about hygiene, Singapore keeps it squeaky clean. Tokyo, Japan You'll spot yakitori stalls near train stations, takoyaki (octopus balls) sizzling at street corners, and sweet taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) in busy alleys. Street food here is fast, fun, and everything that you didn't expect. Lima, Peru Ceviche from a roadside stall? Yes, please. Lima's street scene mixes indigenous and Spanish flavours, with anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) being the ultimate must-try. Berlin, Germany Forget bratwurst stereotypes. Berlin is all about currywurst, sausages drowned in ketchup and curry powder. It sounds wrong, but it tastes so right (especially at 2 am). Seoul, South Korea From tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to hotteok (syrup-filled pancakes), Seoul is the definition of snacking heaven. The city even has entire markets devoted to grazing. Cairo, Egypt Koshari carts rule the streets here, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, and fried onions all in one glorious pile. Add falafel and shawarma, and Cairo's sidewalks might as well be banquet tables. Brussels, Belgium Sure, it's waffles and fries, but not just any fries. Belgians double-fry theirs and drown them in mayo. Add a cone of frites to your hand and suddenly sightseeing gets easier. Oaxaca, Mexico Oaxaca is all about tlayudas (giant crispy tortillas loaded with toppings) and chapulines (grasshoppers). Crunchy, weird, and delicious.
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Munnar, Kerala – Where Tea and Thunder Meet Munnar in August is not your postcard-perfect sunny tea estate. It's something green hills become darker, glossier. Clouds descend low enough to touch. Streams swell, turning small rivulets into playful cascades.A hot cup of cardamom chai here feels like holding the monsoon in your hands. 4. Shillong, Meghalaya – The Abode of Clouds, Literally If there's a capital of August, it might be like Elephant Falls and Spread Eagle Falls are in their fullest glory. Pine-scented breezes carry the sound of rain tapping when the clouds part for a brief hour, the town glimmers like a secret just revealed. 5. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra – Strawberries and Storms Forget the crowded summer tourist season. In August, Mahabaleshwar wears a rawer Lake shimmers under mist. Arthur's Seat becomes a balcony into clouds. And those winding ghats, slick with rain, feel like paths into another strawberries aren't the highlight. Storm-washed silence is. 6. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya – Rain's Own Kingdom One of the wettest places on Earth. But by late August, its ferocity mellows, leaving behind emerald plateaus, roaring Nohkalikai Falls, and living root bridges that drip with here in August feels like conversing with rain itself — not aggressive, but intimate. 7. Udaipur, Rajasthan – When Lakes Swell Like Dreams Rajasthan and rain might seem an odd pairing. But visit Udaipur in August, and you'll see palaces floating on full Fateh Sagar, Swaroop Sagar — all brim with reflections of white marble and monsoon desert state feels less parched, more poetic. The City of Lakes becomes a city of mirrors. 8. Wayanad, Kerala – Misty Hills and Monsoon Trails In August, Wayanad becomes a playground of waterfalls — Meenmutty, Soochipara, forests here aren't silent. They hum with cicadas, frogs, and the occasional elephant trumpet carried through damp bamboo isn't sightseeing. It's immersion. 9. 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Not scorching heat. Just balance, rain-washed and clean. Affordable stays – Off-season rates, but peak-season magic. Traveling in August isn't a compromise. It's a privilege. Practical Tips for August Wanderers Pack smart – Quick-dry clothes, waterproof shoes, and a poncho beat umbrellas. Start early – Morning skies are often clearer before afternoon showers. Respect the land – Trails aren't playgrounds; they're living ecosystems. Eat local – From hot Maggi in Himalayan dhabas to spicy bajjis in South Indian towns, food tastes better in the rain. Listen more than you click – Sometimes, the best memory is sound — a waterfall roaring, or a forest breathing. Beyond Aesthetic – Why This Season Matters Travel in August isn't just about pretty frames. It's about impact. When you step into these lesser-known destinations: You ease pressure on overburdened tourist hotspots. You support local homestays, tea sellers, and guides who thrive in monsoon months. You remind yourself that beauty exists outside peak seasons, outside curated brochures. This is slow travel, honest travel. Not for the highlight reel, but for the heartbeat. Summary Don't just endure August. Embrace the rest of the world waits for October sunshine, you could be here — watching mist spill over valleys, hearing frogs sing after dusk, sipping chai while the sky rehearses thunder. Because India in August isn't just about about if you're willing to step out, it's about you becoming part of that story.
