The bustling streets of Asia are totally jam-packed with things to see, smell and, most importantly, taste. And, if you really want to get a true taste of a country, you’ve got to eat like the locals and hunt down the street food recipes du jour. Quick, convenient and chock full of flavour, what’s not to love about steaming hot soups, bouncy stir-fried noodles and plates of just-cooked goodness?
If you’re all for trying the mouth-watering treats Asia’s streets have to offer but just can’t commit to an overseas journey, fear not. With our recipe round-up at your fingertips, you can make all the street food favourites at home that taste just like the real deal!
The best Asian street food recipes
Get ready to transport your tastebuds! This compilation of the best Marion Grasby street food recipes features classics inspired by Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean, Chinese, Indonesian AND Japanese cuisine. Grab your napkins, strap yourselves in and get ready for take off!
Hoi An-style Chicken Rice
There are heaps of Asian chicken rice recipes out there, but this Vietnamese version that’s popular in Hoi An is one of our faves. Poached chicken, fragrant broth, tangy salad – all the things. This is next-level comfort.
Mumbai Street Toastie
Mashed potato… in a toasted sandwich? Yes, always! It’s a little bit spicy and a hella lot cheesy, plus there’s curry leaves, fresh vegetables and a perky green chutney. Based on Mumbai’s most famous street snack, this is one hefty sambo.
Garlic Prawn Pad See Ew
A classic Thai prawn pad see ew seems like a basic stir-fried noodle dish, but truth be told there’s actually a fair amount of finessing going on behind the scenes. When done right this is a simple street food recipe turned true knockout.
Chilli Pan Mee
Can you take the heat? There’s spicy, and then there’s this dish. If ever there was a tolerance test for how hot you can stand it, this would be it! Yes it’s fiery, but it’s also totally fabulous.
Malaysian Hokkien Mee
The silky smooth, savoury sensation you need in your life. Pork croutons… need we say more? A hawker favourite.
Nasi Lemak
This is one of the world’s most famous rice dishes, and now you can make it in the comfort of your own kitchen! Head to this recipe to find out all the substitutions to make this awesome Malaysian favourite totally accessible.
Char Kway Teow
Get ready for spicy, smokey noodles and a good chilli kick with this Malaysian and Singaporean hybrid hawker dish. With this quick and speedy recipe, you’ll be rustling up this stir-fried dish in no time.
Thai Beef Satay
If you love a barbie, it’s time to get grilling: these beef satay skewers are everything that’s great about summer eating. These guys are so tender and so tasty, they’re impossible to resist.
Malaysian Roti Canai
Flaky, charry rotis that are the perfect vessel for a spiced chana dhal… this is one epic feast. Plan ahead as this does require overnight prep, but goodness – it’s worth going the extra mile!
Sticky Pork Belly Banh Mi
Prepare to meet the king of sarnies with our take on the classic banh mi. Our version of the Vietnamese street food snack combines sweet, sticky pork belly with pickled carrot and crunchy bread. Get ready for pure delight in every bite!
Tantanmen Ramen
If you’re ready for noodles, spicy pork and a rich creamy broth, then this street food recipe is ALL the things. Bonus points for being surprisingly simple to make, too!
Indonesian Mee Goreng Noodles
Goodbye packet noodles: this take on the Indonesian recipe will rock your world. Super quick and super delicious, these spicy noodles are satisfying and packed with bite. And do trust us on the shrimp paste: it really is the ultimate umami bomb!
Wonton & BBQ Pork Noodle Soup
Wontons, BBQ pork, noodles AND soup, these are a few of our favourite things. It’s one of the most iconic street food recipes for a reason.
Sambal Sotong
Sambal sotong, or squid sambal, is a popular Malaysian dish that’s commonly enjoyed in Singapore. It’s spicy, sweet and delicious, and the chilli-based condiment as its hero. It deserves the freshest squid you can find for the most tender result. Enjoy this seafood recipe as part of a banquet with steamed rice, Asian greens and crispy cereal prawns.
Malaysian-style Beef Murtabaks
All good things to those who wait! These delish Asian-inspired street food pastries do take some extra time and TLC. But it’s worth it, promise!
BBQ Pork & Prawn Noodle Soup
Straight from the streets of Bangkok to your table – this soup is truly epic! It’s perfect for when the weather gets cooler, while still tasting fresh and light… and doesn’t even take that long to cook up a batch. Everything you want in a soup plus more!
Fish Head Curry
This Singaporean fish head curry epitomes the Little Red Dot perfectly: it’s a unique blend of cuisines and flavours. This dish in particular merges South Indian curry aspects with the Chinese favoured dish of steamed fish head. Layered and lush and surprisingly straightforward to make.
Beef Nasi Goreng
This famous Indonesian street food fried rice is bursting with umami goodness, and the addition of beef mince keeps the prep and cook time to a minimum. Ideal for weeknights, this sweet and savoury stir-fried dish is quick and simple to make. You could even top it with a fried egg for even more authentic deliciousness!
Vietnamese Pork Bun Cha
You have simply GOT to try my take on this most classic Hanoi dish – it really is exceptional! Cooking the pork belly nice and fast keeps it tender and juicy, it’s fresh, it’s vibrant and it’s just like the authentic thing.
Ayam Goreng (Malaysian Fried Chicken)
Beautifully spiced chicken in a crispy coating? So much yes! This fried chicken is truly magical. Take a trip to Malaysia with this street food-inspired fried chicken.
Traditional Pad Thai
One of those iconic Thai dishes that will become a regular in your meal rotation. And that pad thai sauce? It’s a traditional mixture of fish sauce, tamarind, garlic chives and pickled radish that Marion is very proud of.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Handheld food SCREAMS street food, and these skewers tick all the boxes. Just love the sticky sweet texture of a chicken teriyaki? It’s easy to make your own teriyaki sauce at home with this easy Asian recipe.
Malaysian Curry Laksa (Laksa Lemak)
The perfect curry to transport you to the streets of Malaysia, this homemade laksa is really worth the effort. The good news? You’ll have another batch of laksa paste ready to freeze for the next time you cook the dish!
Pho Soup Dumplings
Want the secret to making soup dumplings even better? Add some knockout pho broth! Totally tasty, totally worth the effort.
Shoyu Ramen
Love noodle soup? Look no further! This delightful chicken ramen soup broth is so jam-packed with umami goodness that you’ll want the whole pot to yourself. With chashu pork, greens and oodles of noodles, this ones a keeper.
Traditional Thai Chicken Satay
Delicious chicken satay is one of the most well-known and most-loved of Asian street food recipes. This traditional Thai version will transport you from the very first bite, and is perfect served as an appetiser or as part of a sharing platter if you’re trying to impress your guests.
Indonesian Chicken Noodle Soup (Soto Ayam)
This Indonesian chicken noodle soup has so much flavour packed into the broth – and it doesn’t take that long to make. Creamy coconut and vibrant turmeric transport you straight to Indonesia.
Chinese BBQ Pork ‘Char Siew’ Noodles
Bring the hawker centre to your very own home with this version of this classic Chinese street food. Bouncy, glossy noodles and sweet, sticky pork – it’s all the things, guys.
Kueh Dadar
Kueh Dadar are commonly eaten in Singapore and across Southeast Asia as a popular sweet treat snack or dessert. These vibrant coloured rolled-up crepes get their colour from pandan leaves, filled with sticky coconut and sweet malaysian palm sugar, we challenge you to have just one!
