Taipei ranks third globally for street food in 2026 Time Out survey

Taipei has secured a spot among the world's top street food destinations, ranking third globally in a 2026 survey by Time Out magazine. The city's vibrant night market culture earned it a high score, placing it alongside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which took the first and second positions respectively.

The survey, which polled 24,000 people worldwide, evaluated cities based on the quality of their street food, affordability, and overall dining experience. Time Out emphasized that for many travelers, the true essence of a city lies not in fine dining but in its street vendors, night market snacks, and lively roadside eateries.

Ho Chi Minh City clinched the top spot with 63% of the vote, celebrated for its traditional dishes enjoyed on small plastic stools, offering an authentic urban culinary experience. Kuala Lumpur followed at 62%, with Jalan Alor's night food stalls creating an open-air market atmosphere that draws many visitors.

Taipei, sharing the third position with Jakarta, Indonesia, at 59%, was particularly lauded for its night markets like Shilin, where visitors can sample iconic Taiwanese snacks such as oyster omelets and stinky tofu. The magazine noted that Taipei's night markets are more than just places to eat; they are vital cultural symbols reflecting city life, from bustling stalls and enticing aromas to the shared experience of queuing with locals.

Other cities in the top ten included Mexico City and Manila, Philippines, both at 58%, followed by Hanoi, Vietnam; Johannesburg, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; and Mumbai, India. The ranking underscores street food's growing importance as a measure of urban competitiveness, with travelers increasingly seeking local culture through accessible, everyday culinary experiences.