Bubbling cauldrons of noodle soup, flaky flatbreads, kaleidoscopic desserts – when it comes to street food, Asia delivers big on variety and flavor.

This vast region sprawls across equatorial tropics and mountain ranges, volcanic islands and frenetic megacities, so it’s no surprise that diversity abounds.

Yet there are many similarities, too. With centuries of migration and trade, many recipes have traversed borders only to become a local specialty thousands of miles from their places of origin.

To celebrate the region’s bottomless culinary talent and passion for food, we’ve rounded up 50 must-try, much-loved street foods and beverages in Asia in alphabetical order.

Of course, this list is far from exhaustive – it’s just a small sampling of the region’s wonderful food traditions and where to find them.

While the Middle East and Central Asia are part of the Asian continent, we didn’t include these sub-regions because even by themselves there’s already such a broad depth of dishes to try, including these 20.

Let’s dig in.

Achcharu, Sri Lanka

Pickles get a Sri Lankan twist with achcharu – sweet, sour and spicy pickled fruits and vegetables that make a perfect street-food snack.

Seasoned with local spices, chili, turmeric, sugar and salt, the offerings will differ depending on the region and seasons – it might be Ceylon olives (veralu), wood apple, pineapple, ambarella, mango, jackfruit or eggplant.

Asam laksa, Malaysia

Sometimes, a big, delicious bowl of soup just hits the spot. Sate cravings with a local specialty: asam laksa.

Thought to have originated on the coast, the fish-based soup has a sour, tamarind flavor that’s surprisingly refreshing even on hot, humid mornings.

A typical bowl arrives brimming with rice noodles, vegetables, shredded fish and coriander and with a side of Malaysian shrimp paste.

Banh mi, Vietnam

The French may have introduced baguettes to Vietnam, but the country’s famed banh mi is a uniquely Vietnamese creation.

Like many foods on this list, the ingredients will vary from north to south and east to west.

Still, a classic combination includes pork, pickled vegetables, coriander, chili and a healthy smear of pâté sandwiched by a crispy, fluffy baguette.

Bubble tea, Taiwan

No trip to Taiwan would be complete without at least one bubble tea. Also known as boba or pearl milk tea, this famous Taiwanese export has garnered a worldwide following.

Invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, the classic recipe calls for rich, silky, shaken green or black tea with sizable black tapioca balls, which require a special straw to drink.

These days, many imaginative flavors (Oreo! Sweet potato! Matcha! Kumquat!) just beg to be sampled, and many vendors let diners customize elements like sugar and ice.

Bun kebab, Pakistan

How can you go wrong with a kebab patty between two seared buns?

Easy to find at roadside stalls all over Karachi and Lahore, these delectable Pakistani burgers often come with a potato-lentil patty, although chicken, mutton, beef and chickpea varieties are also common.

Depending on the vendor and region, your bun kebab may also come topped with red onions, tomatoes, raita (a spiced yogurt dip) and tamarind chutney.

Cheong fun, Hong Kong

Meaning “intestine noodles”, cheong fun is a staple street snack and dim sum favorite. But contrary to the name, the dish doesn’t actually feature entrails. (The moniker refers to the tubular shape.)

A thin and translucent rice roll is steamed and folded, then filled with char siu (Chinese barbecued pork), dried shrimp, beef or vegetables.

A few sauces – soy, hoisin, peanut and chili – and a crown of sesame seeds complete this must-try dish.

Chili crab, Singapore

You can find chili crab in many hawker centers and specialty restaurants these days but this iconic dish got its start on the streets of 1950s Singapore in a pushcart.

It is messy in all the best ways – and if you don’t get your hands dirty cracking mud crab legs, then you’re not doing it right.

After excavating the crab meat, scoop up the rich chili-tomato sauce with buttery fried mantou buns.

Crab omelets, Thailand

After you’ve had a kai jeow pu (a Thai crab omelet), it’s hard to understand why all egg dishes don’t taste this good.

Crab and eggs are a match made in heaven – and the crispy edges, fluffy texture and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce takes this wok-cooked dish to the next level.

Curry fish balls, Hong Kong

Fish balls – ping-pong-sized spheres of shredded and pounded fish – are among the most beloved street snacks in Hong Kong.

One quintessential variety, curry fish balls, will definitely inspire cravings long after the first bite.

Simmered in curry sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar and chili, these street snacks are known for their rich, robust flavor.

Enjoy them on bamboo skewers or in a cup while exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Ema datshi, Bhutan

You can’t go to Bhutan without embracing the country’s penchant for all things cheesy, spicy and fresh.

Another local favorite is ema datshi, which just so happens to be the country’s national dish.

This spicy stew, meaning “chili and cheese”, showcases Bhutan’s glorious local cheese and produce.

Though it’s everywhere, you’ll never get bored: ema datshi comes in many variations, though most are very spicy and served with onion, garlic and red rice.

Egg waffles, Hong Kong

An easy, one-handed snack, gai daan jai (egg waffles, egg puffs or eggettes) is the ideal street food.

A light, slightly sweet batter requires a special waffle maker with round cells to create a puff-like appearance, crispy exterior and airy interior.

Experimentation is part of the fun: Enjoy it plain, with fresh fruit, or rolled into a cone and covered with ice cream, syrup and bananas. Some vendors even go the savory route, serving flavors like salted egg yolk and seaweed.

Falooda, Pakistan

As delicious as it is photogenic, falooda will keep you cool during Pakistan’s scorching summers.

Akin to an ice cream sundae, this milk-based drink is made up of ice cream or kulfa (a dense, gelato-like ice cream), milk, condensed milk, jelly cubes, noodles, basil seeds and sometimes rose water syrup to achieve a bright, rosy pink hue.

A crown of crushed pistachios and dried fruit add more texture, so this dessert is at once smooth and crunchy and both sweet and cooling.

Fuchka, Bangladesh

A little bit sweet, a little sour, a little spicy, fuchka (a Bangladeshi version of what’s known as panipuri, gol gappa, gupchup, among other monikers in India) is one of the most ubiquitous street foods in Bangladesh.

The crispy, hollow spheres commonly come with a filling of mashed potatoes and chickpeas, mixed with freshly chopped onions, cucumber, lime, coriander and green chillies in a chaat masala blend.

Before serving, vendors often grate boiled eggs on top as a garnish. Usually, you’ll also receive a small cup of tamarind water sauce to pour inside the shells to enhance that sweet, tangy and spicy flavor that tantalizes all of your taste buds.

Gado gado, Indonesia

Healthy and hearty, gado gado (meaning “mix-mix”) tosses together a garden of vegetables and tasty ingredients in a thick, peanutty sauce.

While the recipe varies depending on the vendor, it’s common to see green beans, cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, lettuce, tofu, cucumbers, tempeh, potatoes, a hard-boiled egg, and sides of lontong (rice cakes) and prawn crackers.

Getuk, Indonesia

It’s impossible to walk by this eye-catching, brightly-hued dessert without stopping for a sample.

There are countless variations of getuk (or gethuk) on offer, from cassava (a nutty, starchy root vegetable) with coconut to yam, potato, banana, taro or cheese.

Halo-halo, Philippines

A mountain of crushed ice and condensed milk with a rainbow of toppings, halo-halo (also haluhalo, meaning “mixed” in Tagalog) is the perfect antidote to the Philippines’ hot and humid summers.

While it varies across the country, the long list of ingredients may include the likes of cubed yam, taro, coconut flakes, tapioca pearls, flan, sweetened beans, plantain, jackfruit, coconut jelly, nuts, sago, cheese, ice cream, ube (purple yam), toasted rice…the list goes on.

The crunchy, crispy, chewy, creamy textures are just as diverse, making this one dish that lives up to its name.

Hoppers, Sri Lanka

Wake up and smell the appa (also called aapa or appam) in Sri Lanka!

Thought to have originated over in southern India 2,000 years ago, appa, or hoppers, are made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk batter cooked like a crêpe in a small wok.

This method creates a bowl-like shape that’s slightly thicker and spongier at the bottom while staying crispy on the edges.

Plain hoppers and egg hoppers (a plain hopper with a soft-boiled egg in the middle) typically come with chutney, coconut sambal and often a range of curry dishes.

Iced coffee, Vietnam

Served by street vendors and cafes alike, cà phê, as it’s known in Vietnam, can be enjoyed many ways – drink it black, with condensed milk, a touch of sugar or mixed with coconut milk.

Sit down and make new friends on a plastic stool or keep exploring with your chilled refreshment in hand.

Jalebi, India

Don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line for jalebi, a bright orange funnel cake dipped in simple syrup and often spiced with saffron.

Best enjoyed fresh from the fryer or chilled, these concentric swirls of deep-fried fermented batter taste crispy, juicy and exceptionally sweet, while a side of rabri (a condensed milk dish) or curd can help cut through the sugar.

And thanks to their versatility, jalebi make for a delicious breakfast, accompaniment to chai (tea) or after-dinner treat.

Jianbing, China

Chinese street food vendors have mastered breakfast with this crepe-like creation.

Perfect for on-the-go snacking, vendors fry the pancake then fill it with a variety of savory flavors – think eggs, spring onions, radishes, chili sauce and sausage or chicken.

The best part? The crispy bao cui, or fried crackers. Having originated in northeastern China, jiangbing have spread across the country with different variations depending on the region.

Jiaozi, China

Dumpling fans will love Chinese jiaozi.

Whether steamed, boiled or pan-fried to perfection, these delightful crescent-shaped morsels are most commonly filled with minced pork, ginger, scallions and Chinese cabbage, though many combinations exist.

Kavaabu, Maldives

In the Maldives capital Male, look for a popular street food called kavaabu (or kavab).

Essentially a deep-fried fish fritter, kavaabu has a super crispy exterior encasing a delicious combination of smoked tuna, shredded coconut, peppers, onions, lentils, ginger, rice and curry leaves.

Kaya toast, Singapore/Malaysia

Can’t decide between a sweet or savory breakfast? Enter kaya toast: a charcoal-kissed breakfast sandwich that’s nothing short of a daily ritual in both Singapore and Malaysia.

It’s insanely delicious thanks to the kaya – an aromatic jam made from coconut milk, eggs, sugar and pandan.

Enjoy it with soft-boiled eggs for dipping or eating separately with a dash of dark soya sauce, and a cup of thick kopi (Nanyang coffee) or milk tea will complete this quintessential experience.

Kerak telor, Indonesia

If you think you know omelets, think again.

Cooked over charcoal, kerak telor (meaning “egg crust”) is a traditional Betawi dish that bursts with flavor and texture thanks to ingredients like duck eggs, glutinous rice, grated coconut, fried shallots, dried shrimp and Indonesian spices.

Khao jee, Laos

It looks simple – a grilled sticky rice patty on a stick – but there’s more to this street food staple than meets the eye.

Thanks to a thin egg coating and a light char from the grill, khao jee has a radiant golden hue, a sweet and nutty flavor, and a delightfully chewy texture.

As a happy coincidence, another fantastic street food shares the same name: khao jee pâté (a Lao-style baguette sandwich, similar to a Vietnamese banh mi) filled with pork liver pâté, pickled carrots, cucumber, papaya and a local chili paste called jeow bong.

Khao soi, Thailand

A staple in Northern Thailand, khao soi – curry noodle soup topped with deep-fried egg noodles – hits the spot.

Vendors ladle gorgeously golden bowls of hearty, creamy, chili-laced coconut broth over a bed of egg noodles with chicken legs or beef.

On the side, you will often find mustard greens, freshly chopped shallots, lime wedges and chili paste.

Khuushuur, Mongolia

Exploring the Mongolian steppes will surely work up an appetite, but luckily khuushuur, Mongolia’s beloved street snack, provides a hearty, filling meal.

Enjoy the large, deep-fried meat pastry (usually filled with minced mutton or beef, onion and garlic) with a cup of Mongolian tea.

Kimbap, South Korea

Kimbap, or gimbap, seems like it was designed to be portable.

Not unlike Japan’s makizushi (rolled sushi), these rice rolls wrapped in seaweed sheets are cut into easy-to-devour slices that hawkers fill with a wide assortment of ingredients.

Spinach, lotus root, eggs, cucumbers, bulgogi and crab sticks all make regular appearances, as do pickled daikon radish, kimchi and roasted sesame seeds.

Kuih cincin, Brunei

In Brunei, kuih cincin (meaning “ring cakes”) makes for a delicious after-dinner treat.

This photogenic, cookie-like dessert is easily identifiable thanks to its flower-like appearance. It tastes as good as it looks, with a sweet, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch.

Kwek kwek, Philippines

Next time you’re in the Philippines, try kwek kwek – deep-fried quail eggs. They owe their radiant orange hue to annatto powder in the batter.