BANGKOK, THAILAND – Bangkok has landed ninth place in Time Out’s global street food ranking for 2026, scoring a 56% approval rating.
The Thai capital tied with Johannesburg, South Africa, at that same level. Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam topped the list with 63% satisfaction.
Ho Chi Minh City leads the pack
Ho Chi Minh City took first place with 63% approval. Kuala Lumpur came second at 62%.
Jakarta and Taipei both scored 59%, tying for third and fourth. Mexico City and Manila each hit 58%, while Hanoi reached 57%.
Local opinions on price and quality
Time Out surveyed only people who live in each city — tourists were not asked for this ranking. The criteria included value for money, affordable prices, and food quality.
Bangkok’s 56% satisfaction matches the same score given by locals in Johannesburg. Mumbai trailed just behind at 55%, taking tenth place.
Time Out’s first street food ranking
Media in Vietnam reported that Ho Chi Minh City overtook Bangkok and Singapore as a famous culinary hub in Southeast Asia. For the Vietnamese city, this is the first time it has topped Time Out’s global street food ranking.
Thai PBS confirmed this is also the first street-food-specific list from Time Out. In the broader category “best cities for food,” Bangkok has been rated multiple times and placed high in several years.