Asia is the largest and most populous continent on the planet, with a spectacular diversity of cultures — and yes, cuisines. Taste profiles vary from country to country, city to city: fiery, aromatic foods in Southern Thailand, smoky flavours in wok-fried foods in Malaysia and Singapore, and light but irresistibly umami dishes in Japan. There's much more, and it's all incredibly tasty.
So, you can imagine how difficult it is to whittle down a list of Asia's best food cities, much less globally. Well, we've done it – with the help of the people who know best, the locals. Time Out asked thousands of city-dwellers all over the world to rate their food scene across 18 criteria, quizzing them on factors like quality, affordability, and convenience. Time Out editors, food critics, and Time Out Market chefs also chipped in with insights on the most exciting food cities right now. Their scores were combined with the local ratings to develop our final list of the best culinary hotspots in the world.
And drumroll, please...four Asian cities made our list of 20 foodie capitals for 2025. Ranking No. 1 in Asia (and No. 2 worldwide!) is Bangkok. 86 percent of locals rated their food scene as 'good' or 'amazing'. In their words, food in Bangkok is 'delicious', 'fast and convenient', and 'diverse'. Almost half of our food experts (47 percent) also voted for Bangkok as the best food city in 2025, the highest of any other city. Check out Time Out Bangkok's coverage for a full breakdown of what makes the Thai capital such an exciting place to eat right now.
Your next Asian gastronomic stop should be Shanghai, the second-best food city in Asia and eighth in the world. Shanghai's locals love the city's food scene, giving it a 92 percent approval score. Why? Dining in Shanghai is fantastically diverse – it's got a plethora of regional cuisines from Guizhou to Yunnan packed into one dynamic city. Get started on your culinary adventure here with our guide to the 100 best restaurants in Shanghai.
Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, is next. Ranked 10th worldwide, this city received the second-highest approval scores from locals (94 percent) for its 'diverse' and 'delicious' food offerings. Like Shanghai, Jakarta is where all the culinary traditions across its vast archipelago converge, not to mention influences from the Dutch, Chinese, Arabs, and Indians. Taste it all at buzzing street food markets and in Jakarta's trendy restaurants, bars, and cafés.
Last but not least, Mumbai, ranked 14th on the global list. 61 percent of locals describe Mumbai's food as 'healthy', and it obviously doesn't sacrifice on taste, because the most common term used is 'delicious'. That's your sign to go ham on the khau gallis (food streets), which are packed with "savoury chaat, jumbo-sandwiches, veggie-laden 'pizzas'" and so much more.
Asia has our heart, but there are thousands of amazing cuisines around the world to discover (and eat through). Curious about the absolute best food city in the world right now? Check out our global list.
Asia's best cities for food in 2025, according to Time Out:
Did you hear? These are the best restaurants in Asia
Plus: The coolest bars in Asia right now
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