If you're missing the hustle and bustle of Asian night markets accompanied by the smell of delicious food at every corner, let's take a little trip down memory lane today. Let's visit various Asian countries around the world, exploring some of the most popular, most delicious street food snacks that their night markets have to offer. From tasty fried foods to heartwarming noodle dishes, nothing beats the food adventure that Asian night markets can provide you with.
1. Taiwanese Gua Bao
These fluffy buns are a Taiwanese night market staple. Filled with tender braised pork, pickled mustard, and crushed peanuts, they offer a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
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2. Indian Chaat
An explosion of different flavours, chaat is an Indian street food classic you can't walk past without getting. It's a mix of crispy dough, tangy tamarind sauce, yogurt, and various spices. The combination is truly irresistible, providing you with a tasty snack that's sweet, spicy, and sour.
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3. Thai Mango Sticky Rice
A popular sweet treat loved by many, mango sticky rice is a Thai dessert that features juicy, thick mango slices placed over sweetened sticky rice that's been covered in creamy coconut milk. Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds.
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4. Japanese Takoyaki
These popular ball-shaped snacks are a hit in any Japanese night market; made with a wheat flour-based batter, they're filled with generous amounts of minced octopus and are smothered in a delicious sauce and topped with bonito flakes. They're nice and crispy on the outside while delightfully gooey inside.
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5. Vietnamese Banh Mi
The Banh Mi is the perfect example of the best that French and Vietnamese fusion can offer. It's a delicious sandwich featuring a crusty baguette that's filled with savory meats (there are so many options to choose from!), pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs, all coming together to deliver you a burst of flavour and textures.
6. Korean Tteokbokki
One of the most popular and beloved Korean snacks found in any night market, Tteokbokki consists of chewy rice cakes smothered in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce. It's surprisingly addictive and pairs well with so many other various fried treats.
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7. Filipino Balut
Don't be scared! As a more adventurous choice, balut is a fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside. While the visuals might turn you away from trying this filipino snack, it's a common, protein-rich snack in Filipino night markets that's beloved by many.
Aterux at Vietnamese Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
8. Chinese Jianbing
Though jianbings are a classic Chinese street food breakfast, they're just as popular when sold in the evening at night markets! They're savory crepes filled with eggs, green onions, and various sauces, often topped with crispy wontons or youtiao (fried dough).
9. Indonesian Martabak Manis
Often referred to as "sweet martabak," this is a thick, fluffy pancake filled with ingredients like chocolate, cheese, and nuts, making it an indulgent treat. If you're looking to finish your night off with something sweet, this is definitely a good go-to.
Yun Huang Yong on Wikimedia Commons
10. Malaysian Satay
Who doesn't love grilled meat? Satay is essentially skewered, grilled meat served with a rich peanut sauce that complements the dish wonderfully. It might seem simple, but it's a flavourful and aromatic dish that's extremely popular in Malaysian night markets.
11. Singaporean Hainanese Chicken Rice
A Singaporean favourite, Hainanese chicken rice features incredibly tender chicken served next to a bed of fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, all accompanied by a spicy chili sauce and ginger paste. It may look like a plain dish, but you'll be wowed by the flavours.
Misaochan on Wikimedia Commons
12. Cambodian Fish Amok
This is a traditional Cambodian dish often found in night markets. It's a type of curry made with fish, coconut milk, and a blend of spices, typically steamed in banana leaves.
13. Lao Khao Soi
Not to be confused with the Thai dish of the same name, Lao Khao Soi is a comforting soup with handmade noodles, minced pork, and fermented soybeans, topped with fresh herbs and chili. It's absolutely delicious!
Mindmaker on Wikimedia Commons
14. Burmese Tea Leaf Salad
If you love a good salad, jump out of your comfort zone to try this unique salad that's a mix of fermented tea leaves, nuts, and various seeds. It'll offer you a distinctive flavour that's tangy, slightly bitter, and nutty.
15. Nepalese Momo
Dumplings are a staple when it comes to visiting any night market in Asia, and Nepalese dumplings are no exception. Often served with a spicy tomato-based dipping sauce, they're a must-try!
Kushal Goyal on Wikimedia Commons
16. South Korean Hotteok
Looking for something sweet? Hotteok is a popular South Korean street food that will satisfy anyone with a massive sweet tooth. These are syrup-filled pancakes, crispy on the outside, but oozing a delicious mixture of cinnamon, honey, and brown sugar on the inside. Many stalls even offer less traditional versions, offering fillings of nutella or various creams.
Korean Culture and Information Service on Wikimedia Commons
17. Indonesian Satay Ayam
Different from its Malaysian counterpart, Satay Ayam from Indonesia is skewered and grilled chicken served with a rich and spicy peanut sauce. The smoky flavor combined with the spicy kick makes it irresistible.
Gunawan Kartapranata on Wikimedia Commons
18. Thai Som Tam
A refreshing and spicy salad, Som Tam is made from shredded green papaya, carrots, tomatoes, peanuts, and string beans, all pounded together in a mortar. The combination of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors is a real palate pleaser.
Alexander Klink on Wikimedia Commons
19. Japanese Yakitori
An incredibly popular street food, you can easily find a stall selling yakitori at any Japanese night market. These are simply grilled chicken skewers that are cooked over a charcoal grill. It often includes various parts of the chicken, but the secret is in the sauce - it's seasoned with a tasty sweet soy sauce-based glaze that will have you coming back for seconds.
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20. Vietnamese Che
A sweet, soup-like dessert, Che can include beans, tapioca, jelly, fruit, and coconut cream. It's a delightful treat that offers a unique blend of textures and flavors.
HungryHuy on Wikimedia Commons
21. Chinese Baozi
Baozi are fluffy steamed buns with various fillings, including pork, beef, vegetables, or sweet red bean paste. They are a popular and filling snack, perfect for on-the-go eating.
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22. Filipino Halo-Halo
A colourful and bright dessert, Halo-Halo is made with crushed ice, evaporated milk, and various other ingredients like sweet beans, coconut, sago, and fruits. To make things even better, it's often topped off with a generous scoop of ice cream that really completes the dessert.
bingbing from Quezon City, Philippines on Wikimedia Commons
23. Taiwanese Oyster Omelette
A Taiwanese night market favorite, this omelette is made with eggs, oysters, and greens, thickened with sweet potato starch and often served with a savory sauce.
Flickr user 黃 zero. on Wikimedia Commons
24. Indian Pani Puri
A popular street snack, Pani Puri consists of hollow, crispy dough balls filled with a mixture of flavored water, tamarind chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, and chickpeas. It's impossible to have just one!
Photo by Ashwini Chaudhary(Monty) on U
25. Japanese Dango
These are sweet rice dumplings skewered on a stick, often grilled and covered with a variety of sauces, like sweet soy or red bean paste. They're oh so chewy and satisfyingly sweet. They make for the perfect on the go snack!
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26. Malaysian Nasi Lemak
Often considered the national dish, Nasi Lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk, served with anchovies, peanuts, boiled egg, cucumber, and spicy sambal. It's a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
27. Cambodian Lort Cha
A popular Cambodian street food, Lort Cha is a stir-fried dish made with short rice noodles, vegetables, and sometimes meat, seasoned with soy sauce and chili, and topped with a fried egg. Basically, it's got all the good stuff, making it a delicious noodle dish you have to try.
Oliver Spalt on Wikimedia Commons
28. Lao Sausage
Known for its unique blend of herbs and spices, Lao sausage is a must-try. It's made from pork, seasoned with lemongrass, garlic, and chili, and has a distinctively tangy and spicy flavor.
29. Burmese Shan Noodles
This is a comforting noodle dish from Myanmar, consisting of rice noodles in a spicy and tangy tomato-based sauce, often served with chicken or pork and topped with peanuts.
Myominkyaw93 on Wikimedia Commons
30. Nepalese Chatamari
Sometimes referred to as 'Nepali Pizza', Chatamari is a rice crepe topped with ingredients like minced meat, egg, and vegetables, seasoned with spices. It's a delightful fusion of flavors and textures.
Raunak Maskay on Wikimedia Commons
31. Japanese Okonomiyaki
Often called a Japanese pancake, Okonomiyaki is a savory treat made with a batter mixed with cabbage, green onion, meat (usually pork), or seafood, cooked on a griddle and topped with delicious sauces and mayonnaise.
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32. Vietnamese Pho Cuon
A delightful twist on the traditional pho, Pho Cuon consists of rice paper rolls filled with beef, herbs, and lettuce, served with a dipping sauce. It's a fresh, lighter alternative to the soup-based pho.
Peachyeung316 on Wikimedia Commons
33. Thai Pad Thai
This iconic Thai dish is a staple at night markets. Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, tamarind pulp, fish sauce, garlic, chilies, and palm sugar, garnished with lime wedges and chopped peanuts, it's a flavor explosion.
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34. Chinese Dim Sum
Dim Sum includes a wide variety of small, bite-sized dishes such as steamed buns, dumplings, and rice noodle rolls, often filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables. Although this is typically eaten in the morning, dim sum is so beloved, you can often find stalls in night markets serving various dim sum goodies.
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35. Korean Bingsu
A popular Korean shaved ice dessert, Bingsu typically consists of finely shaved ice topped with sweetened condensed milk, fruit syrups, red beans, and various fruits. It's the perfect treat to cool down on a warm night.
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36. Indonesian Gado-Gado
This is a traditional Indonesian salad made from a mix of boiled vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, fried tofu, and tempeh, topped with a peanut sauce dressing. It's a deliciously hearty and healthy option.
Piknikdong on Wikimedia Commons
37. Japanese Ramen
A night market list wouldn't be complete without Ramen. This popular Japanese noodle soup comes in various flavors, like miso, soy sauce, and pork bone broth, garnished with slices of pork, seaweed, and green onions.
Photo by Stephen Bedase on Unsplash
38. Filipino Lechon
This is a whole roasted pig, known for its crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. Often served with liver sauce, it's a must-try for meat lovers visiting Filipino night markets.
Photo by Christian Dala on Unsplash
39. Singaporean Chilli Crab
A signature Singaporean dish, Chilli Crab involves stir-frying crabs in a thick, sweet, and savory tomato and chili-based sauce. It's messy but incredibly delicious.
40. Malaysian Apam Balik
This is a sweet pancake with a crispy edge and soft, fluffy middle, often filled with ingredients like sweet corn, peanuts, and sugar. It's a delightful treat that's both crunchy and soft.
Dr.Francostein1975 on Wikimedia Commons
41. Burmese Mohinga
A traditional Burmese soup, Mohinga is a rich and savory fish broth served with rice noodles, often considered Myanmar's national dish. It's usually garnished with banana stem, boiled eggs, and fritters.
Charles Haynes on Wikimedia Commons
42. Thai Grilled Squid
Marinated in a mixture of garlic, sugar, and fish sauce, the squid is grilled to perfection and often served with a spicy seafood sauce. It's a popular choice for seafood lovers.
43. Taiwanese Bubble Tea
While not a snack, no night market visit in Taiwan is complete without Bubble Tea. This beverage includes milk tea with chewy tapioca balls, and comes in various flavors.
Photo by Rosalind Chang on Unsplash
44. Korean Kimbap
Resembling sushi rolls, Kimbap is made with steamed white rice and various fillings, rolled in dried seaweed sheets. It's a convenient and tasty snack, perfect for eating on the go.
Photo by Devi Puspita Amartha Yahya on
45. Chinese Sichuan Skewers
A spicy treat, these skewers can include meat, seafood, or vegetables, seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns and other spices. They're grilled to perfection, offering a numbingly spicy experience.
ZhengZhou on Wikimedia Commons
46. Indian Dosa
A staple in South Indian cuisine, Dosa is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Typically served with a variety of chutneys and sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew), it's a must-try for its unique texture and flavorful accompaniments.
Photo by Deepal Tamang on Unsplash
47. Japanese Mochi
A sweet treat, Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome, a short-grain glutinous rice. Often filled with sweet red bean paste and sometimes coated with a dusting of kinako (soybean flour) or matcha, it offers a chewy, subtly sweet experience.
Photo by Ahamada Zubery on Unsplash
48. Singaporean Roti Prata
A favorite in Singapore, Roti Prata is a flaky, crispy flatbread, often served with a side of curry for dipping. It's cooked on a griddle and can be enjoyed plain or with various fillings like egg, cheese, or even banana for a sweet twist.
BrokenSphere on Wikimedia Commons
49. Thai Khanom Krok
This is a traditional Thai dessert, consisting of small, sweet coconut rice pancakes. Cooked in a special cast iron pan, they are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, often topped with green onions or corn. They're the perfect bite-sized snack - there's so much flavour in one bite!
User:Mattes on Wikimedia Commons
50. Vietnamese Bánh Xèo
Translating to 'sizzling pancake,' Bánh Xèo is a savory, crispy crepe made from rice flour, water, and turmeric powder, filled with ingredients like pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. It's served with fresh herbs and a dipping sauce, providing a perfect blend of crunch and flavor.
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