(CNN) — 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.
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
Now globally famous, bubble tea was invented in Taiwan.
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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…
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