Ho Chi Minh City tops Time Out street‑food ranking, ahead of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta

Time Out magazine released its 2026 ranking of the 20 world cities with the best street food, based on a survey of about 24,000 residents in major urban areas. Ho Chi Minh City received the highest approval rating at 63%, placing it first and narrowly ahead of Kuala Lumpur (62%) and Jakarta (59%).

The Vietnamese metropolis earned the top spot despite a food scene that spans six Michelin‑starred restaurants and a vast network of street stalls, markets and alley‑side eateries. Time Out advises visitors to skip formal reservations and explore the bustling lanes around Ben Thanh market for iconic dishes such as phở, bánh mì, bún thịt nướng and other local specialties.