Food is the foundation for experiencing a new culture, making new friends, and fitting into a new place. If you're a foodie, you'll want to try almost anything – without worrying about going over your budget. That's where these gastronomic destinations come in.
In the countries on this list, where street food is king, eating out is the norm, and different climates and indigenous spices create mouth-watering food worlds waiting to be explored (and devoured). From Michelin-starred street food stalls to bustling night markets, it's a great place to get the best value for money on a food-focused holiday.
Mexico is one of the countries with some of the best street food in the world, which makes it a great food destination. What you eat varies depending on which part of the country you're in, but you'll usually find tamales, dumplings, cheese tacos, and tacos – whether it's al pastor (stuffed with marinated pork) or fresh fish caught off the Caribbean coast.
Nearly 60% of the Mexican population eats street food at least once a week, spending less than £2 per session on average. Join them at one of Mexico City's many markets (try Taco Roundabout and Mercado Coyoacán) or at the laid-back street stalls of Playa del Carmen along the coast.
In every corner of the vast subcontinent, a passion for food is inevitable. Foodie travelers on a budget will be pleased to know that the best Indian food is usually the best value for money (50p per course). Our advice?No matter where you are, look for the roadside thali stall where the locals have the longest queue and join in at the end. Everyone wants to eat what they're cooking for a reason.
In Delhi, you'll find stronger northern flavours like meat kebabs, stuffed parata flatbreads, and fried samosas. Head south to Mumbai, and if you're on the beach, you'll get to vada p** (bread bread stuffed with potato dumplings) or crunchy bhel puri. Goa is the only state to see beef on the menu, as well as fist-sized shrimp, dipped in coconut water.
Thai cuisine is fragrant and light, with the addition of chili peppers and the addition of spicy galangal, lemongrass and mint. It's no wonder that its most famous dishes – pad thai, green curry, massaman curry – have become staples on the British high street. In Bangkok, the capital of the country, you will eat the cheapest and freshest goods in its markets: Ratchada Train Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Srinakarin Train Market.
But don't skip Yaowarat Road, which is the beating heart of Chinatown. By 6 p.m., every alley and doorway is filled with street food stalls, cheap roast duck, shrimp dumplings, crab curry, and more. All you have to do is follow your nose – put a few pounds of Thai baht in your purse.
Nepal's food culture is a blend of traditions from northern India as well as neighboring ** and China。You'll be addicted to momos: dumplings filled with minced meat, wrapped in a soft dough and steamed (then priced at less than £1 *** followed by a dal bhat, a simple staple made from lentil soup and rice to power Everest base camp expeditions and traversal through the epic Annapurna Mountains).
In the capital city of Kathmandu, you'll find thukpa – a noodle soup that is particularly comforting in winter surrounded by mountains. During the festive festivities, keep an eye out for sel roti, a sweet round bread. Don't be surprised if you see a lot of chow mein, a type of Chinese noodle that is popular among Nepalese households.
If you've watched Crazy Rich Asians, you probably get an idea of Singapore's street food culture. Its food market is just as portrayed in the movies: frenetic neon signs, cluttered plastic seats, hazy chicken skewers-scented smoke. This is where the locals eat and you should join them.
Hawker meals usually cost around £3, and nasi lemak (rice soaked in coconut and pandan leaves with eggs, anchovies, spicy sambal sauce and meat – usually chicken or fish) is a local favourite. Don't miss Hawker Chan in Chinatown, the first Singaporean street food restaurant to receive a Michelin star for its simple chicken and rice (around 1.).£80).
If you've ever stuffed a steaming bowl of pho, you'll understand why foodie travelers fall in love with Vietnam. The food is irresistible – we're talking pillow-shaped bánh mì stuffed rolls and soft, fresh summer rolls filled with shrimp and mint leaves. You can get a perfect bowl of pho for less than £1 and a local beer for around 50p.
After street food stalls in Hanoi, take an hour's domestic flight to the lesser-known gastronomic capital of An, where Chinese, French, and Japanese influences combine to create unique Vietnamese cuisine.