Asian Street Food Recommendations for Beginners

Have you ever had Asian street food? The chances are very likely! Asian street food has become yet another staple of American cities. From frozen food packages to fresh from the pot meals, Asian food is a cultural craze that has taken over America. Ever wonder where to start your Asian street food journey purposefully? Here are a few of my favorite Asian street foods that I recommend you try.

Click on this link for some ambiance music to heighten the reading experience:

soft krnb/khiphop playlist [studying/relaxing/vibe]

1. Milk Tea

(Photo from Ngọc Lương posted on Google)

Milk tea is efficient and takes less than five minutes to get a drink in hand. There are so many variations and combinations to try. In this modern world, milk tea is only a few miles away in most big city areas. Even in smaller towns, there’s at least one shop to buy milk tea if an Asian population is nearby. Every shop has its own recipe, but I like it best when there is an equal ratio of milk to tea flavor and black boba.

Taste: Milk tea has many flavors; common flavors include coffee, taro, jasmine, or thai. What they all have in common is a rich creamy taste that has hints of distinctive flavoring. Adding boba to milk tea gives a whole new texture experience. The boba balls are soft but still chewy, often coated in brown sugar.

Recommended place to purchase it: I highly recommend Zen Tea! It is the perfect ratio of milk to tea. It has a very rich and atomic tea flavor that is not too overpowering. In addition, Zen Tea is often very well decorated and the perfect place for photos. For now, the only locations are in Vietnam, but it is definitely worth the purchase for visiting tourists. 

2. Fried Banana

(Photo from @Ririma posted on Life8)

Growing up in Texas, eating these were such a treat. They taste best after fifteen minutes out of the fryer. But let’s be honest. All fried bananas taste good. Most commonly, Vietnamese or Thai fried bananas are made from a specific type of banana called Thai or namwah bananas. They are very common in street markets, made by vendors selling out of small carts or tents. 

Taste: They have such a delicate crunch from the batter and occasionally an additional crunch from black sesame seeds inside the batter. The banana is sweet inside and super soft. 

Recommended place to purchase it: This is one of the many foods that street vendors do better than 3 star Michelin chefs. If Asian street markets are nowhere to be found, some Vietnamese and Thai restaurants sell it as well. Making this treat is also extremely simple and easy for beginners.

3. Egg Waffles

(Photo from Ald Professional Kitchen Equipment)

Though it may just look like another trendy snack, it’s far from that. Egg waffles are the perfect snack for people who like lighter snacks. Some people like to make it sweeter by adding toppings like ice cream or syrup. Personally, I like the plain egg waffles because they’re much cleaner and crunchier.

Taste: Despite being thick and chewy, egg waffles are pretty light since a lot of bubbles are half air. This gives it a crispy crunch and a not overly sweet taste. They taste similar to waffles but have a more eggy flavor.

Recommended place to purchase it: Many milk tea shops now sell these delicious waffles. They usually make them to order since the waffles lose their crispness quickly. If they sell these waffles, chances are that they also offer a variety of toppings.

4. Korean Fried Chicken

(Photo from Seonkyoung Longest)

It really does taste even better than it looks. I’ve seen countless Youtubers rave about how crunchy Korean fried chicken is and they are absolutely right. Korean fried chicken stays crunchy even after hours, unlike most fried chickens. There are so many flavors but my personal recommendations are soy garlic and cheese powder. 

Taste: The skin is slightly sticky with sauce but the skin stays magically crispy. The chicken inside is so moist and unlike American fried chicken, it doesn’t feel overly filling or unhealthy.

Recommended place to purchase it: The best Korean fried chicken I’ve ever had has been from bb.q chicken. They have thousands of locations worldwide. There is a plentiful variety of flavors, ranging from cheeseling to gangnam sauce. They have flavors at all heat levels, making it a perfect customizable family meal.

5. Pan Fried Dumplings

(Photo from Food and Wine)

As painful as it is to crimp every individual dumpling, pan fried dumplings are completely worth it. I love how crunchy it is on one side but so soft on the other. Also, they’re so versatile! These dumplings can be boiled instead if frying seems too annoying to do. 

Taste: They’re so savory from the meat and vegetable filling, but so acidic and sweet from the soy sauce dip. The filling is textured and soft. The outside is soft and chewy. 

Recommended place to purchase it: I highly recommend going to a local Asian grocery store as they are more likely to supply Asian brands. There are many filling varieties, but I recommend vegetable and beef dumplings.