Lucas NeoThe food fight is over.
In the first index of its kind, CEOWorld magazine has ranked 50 cities from around the world to reveal the best places for street food-focused travellers.
According to business travellers and corporate travel agents that were interviewed, it appears that Singapore is the best place for them to enjoy street food. Singapore edged out over its neighbours, Bangkok (Thailand) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), to take the top spot.
If eating is the main reason why you travel, you might be interested in other places on the list. Here is a list of the 20 best cities in the world to enjoy street food:
- Singapore
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Hong Kong
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Mumbai, India
- Rome, Italy
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sydney, Australia
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Portland, US
- Dubai, UAE
- Chicago, US
- Seoul, South Korea
- Berlin, Germany
- Paris, France
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Los Angeles, US
- Palermo, Italy
- Tokyo, Japan
- New Orleans, US
While the list includes 50 cities, only the top 20 are listed above. It seems that Asian countries rank high on the list, with the top 5 spots dominated by cities across Asia. Two other Asian cities, Seoul and Tokyo, round up the list of Asian cities with the best street food in the world.
Not everyone might agree with the placings. In fact, food feuds are common in the Southeast Asian region, where there are lots of similar dishes with similar ancestries. However, everyone would definitely agree that the best place to find street food must surely be in Southeast Asia.
For those who are coming to Singapore for the first time, here are some ‘iconic’ Singapore street food that you need to try when you’re in town:
Chicken Rice
Image Credit: cegoh
As one of Singapore’s national dishes, you can definitely find chicken rice at any corner of Singapore. Just look for a row of cooked chickens hanging from the stalls, a ubiquitous sight in food places across Singapore.
For the health-conscious, you have the option to pick from either steamed or roasted chicken to go with your rice. However, both taste equally good when served with a plate of fragrant rice, cucumber slices, spicy chili and ginger paste.
As the locals say: you’ve never been to Singapore if you haven’t tried a plate of chicken rice. While the dish is available everywhere in Singapore, most Singaporeans also agree that the places that serve the best chicken rice are Tian Tian and Wee Nam Kee. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice can be found at Maxwell Food Centre, while Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice has multiple outlets across Singapore.
Roti Prata
Image Credit: Mynah Bird
Some say that Roti Prata originates from South India instead of Singapore, but the dish is so popular among locals that it has become a Singaporean favourite.
The best part is, Roti Prata is a satisfying dish can be eaten any time of the day. Have it for breakfast, as you dip the prata in a bowl of curry. The dish is also popular as a midnight snack, as locals head to 24-hour establishments for some late-night prata goodness.
For starters, head down to Springleaf Prata, which has outlets at every corner of Singapore. However, Springleaf Prata closes after midnight, so those wanting to have some midnight prata can head to Al-Azhar Eating House, which has one outlet in the west and east.
Kaya Toast
Image Credit: Janeen
Kaya toast is considered a breakfast staple in Singapore. Imagine two pieces of bread toasted and slathered with a generous amount of kaya, topped with a slice of butter. The toast is normally served alongside a bowl of soft-boiled eggs and a cup of coffee for a complete Singaporean breakfast experience.
Those looking for the original kaya toast should head to either Tong Ah Eating House or Heap Seng Leong, two of the oldest coffee houses in Singapore. If you find travelling for kaya toast too troublesome, there are actually many mass-market coffee shops across the island. Two of the most popular chains selling kaya toast are Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toast Box.
Laksa
Image Credit: sharonang
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup popular in the Southeast Asian countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. However, there are different variations of the dish across each country. In Singapore, laksa is most commonly served with thick wheat noodles and a coconut milk curry broth.
As usual, you can find laksa in a lot of places around Singapore. Most stalls that serve this dish also have other noodle dishes available, including fishball noodles and prawn noodles.
However, some Singaporeans might find that laksa is best eaten with just a spoon, as you get equal portions of noodles, ingredients and gravy. Two of the most popular laksa stalls – 328 Katong Laksa and Sungei Road Laksa – serve their laksa with cut noodles, so that customers can easily pick up the noodles with the spoon.
There is a lot of ‘street food’ in Singapore, as its citizens clearly love their food more than their country. While some people (mostly Southeast Asians) may not agree with the ranking, Singapore definitely has a lot of good food around. The best part: it probably will not hurt your wallet too!
