The Most Iconic Street Foods in the World, According To TikTok

From bustling night markets in Asia to vibrant food stalls across South America, street food has long been a staple in communities across the globe. But, beyond its enticing flavors and convenience, street food offers something deeper – a unique connection to local culture and a sense of belonging.

With food traditions varying dramatically from country to country, we set out to uncover the most iconic street foods around the world, using TikTok data as a guide. By exploring the popularity of hundreds of street food hashtags, we’ve compiled a ranking of the world’s most celebrated street foods – from coxinha to crêpes.

Whether you’re planning a move abroad or simply intrigued by the flavors that define other cultures, this guide offers an inside look at the street foods you won’t want to miss. If the food is so good that you’re considering moving and need to send money abroad, see how Remitly can help.

Key findings:

To give you a quick taste of the data, here are some of the highlights from our findings:

• Mexico’s tacos take the top spot: Known for their versatility and rich flavors, tacos have earned their place as the world’s most iconic street food, with over 1.8 million TikTok posts celebrating the much-loved dish.
• Asia’s street food reigns supreme: With dishes like India’s pani puri and Vietnam’s phở in the top 10, Asia is home to some of the most popular street foods on social media.
• A love affair with European classics: Maybe not so surprisingly, European favorites like Belgian waffles, French croissants, and Spanish empanadas all feature in the top rankings.
• Some unexpected gems: Some lesser-known dishes have also made their mark – specifically Guinea’s fou fou, a traditional West African dish made from pounded plantain or cassava, coming in at a respectable 19th place. Also, Ecuador’s empanadas de viento in 37th place. Their crispy empanadas filled with cheese are definitely worth a try!

The world’s most popular street food – ranked

The table below dives into the best of the best street food from every corner of the globe, spotlighting the dishes that have not only won over taste buds but also proved the most popular on TikTok through views and hashtags. Let’s take a look at the top 100 global street foods in more detail and dive into the must-try dishes across each continent.

1. Tacos – Mexico – North America

With 1.8 million TikTok posts, tacos top the list of iconic North American street foods. This quintessential Mexican dish is as varied as Mexico’s regions. From soft corn tortillas filled with spicy al pastor and topped with fresh cilantro and onions to fish tacos on the coasts, each variation highlights Mexico’s distinct regional flavors. The global popularity of tacos speaks to their unique mix of convenience, flavor, and the satisfying balance of textures.

Buen provecho (enjoy)!

2. Pani puri – India – Asia

India’s pani puri, with 734,200 TikTok posts, is an explosive bite of spice, tang, and crunch. Tiny, crispy shells filled with spicy, tamarind-infused water and chickpeas are a staple of Indian street food culture. Often served by vendors with a quick hand, each puri delivers a burst of bold flavors and (usually) a bit of heat. This is a super popular treat for locals and visitors alike.

3. Hot dog – United States – North America

With 653,700 TikTok posts, the hot dog is, arguably, the most iconic street food across the U.S. This simple combination of a grilled sausage in a soft bun can be enjoyed in endless variations, from New York’s classic mustard and sauerkraut to Chicago’s loaded style with pickles, tomatoes, and peppers. The hot dog’s adaptability and ease make it a universally loved, all-American snack.

4. Waffles – Belgium – Europe

Belgium’s waffles come in at a respectable 4th, with 409,500 TikTok posts. Famed for their thick, golden texture and delicious toppings and are often topped with fresh whipped cream, chocolate, or berries. They’re definitely a favorite on European streets. It’s also worth noting that in Belgium, each city has its own take on the waffle. So if you can, go and try a variety!

5. Croissant – France – Europe

With 367,600 TikTok posts, the croissant is an icon of French street food and cafés. While originally from Vienna, the buttery, flaky croissant was perfected in France. A staple of French breakfasts, croissants are popular both as quick street snacks and part of a Parisian breakfast experience. You can find them on almost every street corner in France – so you won’t be at a loss for this one!

6. Tamales – Guatemala – North America

Tamales, gathering 273,800 TikTok posts, are a traditional Guatemalan street food that has grown popular across Latin America. This dish is made of corn dough stuffed with fillings like meats, vegetables, or cheese, all wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and steamed. Tamales are portable and flavorful, making them a staple for family gatherings and a favorite on Guatemalan streets.

7. Empanadas – Spain – Europe

With 259,500 TikTok posts, Spanish empanadas are a popular street food across Europe and beyond. These golden-brown pastry pockets are filled with seasoned meats, vegetables, or cheeses and can be either baked or fried. Originating in Spain, empanadas are celebrated for their satisfying, savory fillings and portability, making them ideal for enjoying on the go.

8. Phở – Vietnam – Asia

Vietnam’s phở, with 255,400 TikTok posts, is a comforting noodle soup and a mainstay of Vietnamese street food. Served with aromatic herbs, beef or chicken, and a fabulously flavorful broth, phở is enjoyed at any time of day and is especially popular as a street-side breakfast.

9. Ceviche – Peru – South America

With 252,000 TikTok posts, Peruvian ceviche is South America’s star street food. This dish features fresh fish marinated in citrus juice, combined with onions, chili peppers, and cilantro. Often served with corn or sweet potatoes, ceviche is refreshingly zesty and beloved in Peru for its light yet bold flavors, encapsulating the coastal freshness of the region.

10. Crêpes – France – Europe

France’s crêpes, with 251,700 TikTok posts, are a versatile street food found in cities around the world. Thin, delicate pancakes filled with sweet toppings like Nutella and strawberries or savoury fillings like ham and cheese, crêpes are a culinary emblem of France. Their appeal lies in their simplicity and adaptability, making them a deliciously convenient treat that can be enjoyed hot off the street vendor’s griddle.

Europe’s top 20 must-try street foods

Looking at each continent, let’s kick off with Europe, and more specifically, waffles! In Belgium, the must-try treat is waffles (ranked 4th globally), known for their sweet, thick texture often topped with whipped cream, chocolate, or fresh fruit. Next up is France, showcasing its culinary prowess with the iconic croissant in 5th place, a flaky pastry that has become a breakfast staple around the world, followed by another French favorite, crêpes, coming in at 10th spot globally.

Moving to Spain, empanadas are a must-savour pastry pocket filled with spiced meats and vegetables. While in France, macarons, ranking 11th globally, delicate meringue-based cookies filled with ganache or buttercream, are a delightful treat to enjoy. If you’re looking for a more simple kind of street food, French fries, usually served with a side of aioli or mayonnaise, come in at 14th globally, or 7th spot in the European list.

Not quite making the top 100 global street foods, but featuring in our European ranking in 11th spot is the UK’s iconic fish and chips – where visitors or locals can enjoy freshly fried fish and salt and vinegar chips, for a real taste of the British seaside.

Following closely behind is Greece’s gyro, made with tender meat from a vertical rotisserie and served in warm pita with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki offering street food lovers a vibrant taste of the Mediterranean. In France, éclairs present a decadent option, with their light choux pastry filled with smooth pastry cream and topped with chocolate icing. Switzerland’s raclette celebrates cheese in all its melted glory, served over potatoes with tangy pickles, and for a sweet treat, in 18th spot, is Italy’s cannoli (tubes of crunchy pastry filled with chocolate, cream, or sweet ricotta) which bring a delightful end to any street food adventure!

Africa’s top 20 must-try street foods

Street food culture in Africa offers visitors a taste of local heritage and a connection to the community with hundreds of dishes to try, offering bold flavors and freshly cooked local ingredients.

The most popular street food in Africa, according to our research, is fou fou from Guinea – a hearty staple of pounded plantain or cassava, served with a rich, spicy sauce. Nigeria’s suya is another favorite amongst street food lovers, while fresh grilled fish from the Seychelles embodies the vibrant spirit of island life.

Cote d’Ivoire’s alloco is the epitome of real comfort food, serving crispy fried plantains with a spicy dipping sauce – a must-try for visitors and locals alike. Finally, Morocco’s msemen, a soft, layered flatbread which is often served with honey or savoury fillings, offers an exciting blend of textures and flavors, making it the perfect treat for those visiting or living in North Africa.

Asia’s top 20 must-try street foods

Home to a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants, Asia is a top spot for all foodies. Starting with India, we have pani puri (ranked 2nd globally), a favourite street food – crisp shells filled with spiced water and chickpeas that burst with flavor. Then we have Vietnam’s phở, a savoury noodle soup with beef or chicken, herbs, and a rich broth, not too dissimilar to ramen.

In Japan, takoyaki are batter balls filled with octopus and a very popular snack, while pad thai from Thailand is a beloved stir-fried noodle dish. Indonesia’s nasi goreng comes in at a respectable 15th globally and 4th in the Asian street food list, a fried rice dish topped with a fried egg. Turkey’s börek, a baked pastry often filled with meats, cheese or potatoes, rounds off the top 20 Asian street foods.

Malaysia’s roti canai, a flaky flatbread typically paired with a rich curry sauce, provides a delicious snack, and Pakistan’s chaat is much loved across South Asia, with its flavorful blend of spiced potatoes, chickpeas and tangy tamarind. For the more adventurous street food enthusiasts, balut (from the Philippines) offers a taste of local tradition and a tasty fertilized duck egg eaten from the shell.

North America’s top 20 must-try street foods

North and Central America did extremely well in our rankings. First up, tacos – ranked 1st globally – originating from Mexico, are a staple street food consisting of soft tortillas filled with meat, beans, and salsa. Then, we have the classic USA hot dog (ranked 3rd globally), a super simple and timeless dish, typically grilled and served in a bun.

Further south, Guatemala’s tamales take 6th place globally and 3rd place in the North America list. These are corn dough delights filled with meat or vegetables and steamed to perfection.

The delicious combination of fries, topped with cheese curds and gravy and called ‘poutine’ by Canadians, ranks 4th ahead of Mexico’s ‘elote’. Also known as Mexican street corn with its roots in Mexico City, it’s an intriguing preparation of corn on the cob, complete with mayonnaise, cheese and chilli powder. It narrowly beats El Salvador’s national dish ‘pupusas’ into the top five iconic street eats in North America. Pupusas are a thick flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour and typically filled with melted cheese, jalapenos, vegetables and meat, although the filling options are endless!

South America’s top 10 must-try street foods

Peru’s national dish, ceviche (ranked 9th globally), is a refreshing, zesty dish of fresh fish marinated in citrus juice. Over in Brazil, you can’t go wrong with coxinha (2nd spot on the South American street food list), a fried dough filled with shredded chicken – a favorite among street food lovers.

Colombia’s arepa is a cornmeal cake filled with cheese or meat and is a beloved staple. Peru’s anticuchos, grilled meat skewers often made from beef heart, offer a hearty, delicious bite that captures the essence of the region’s street food.

In fact, meat lovers will find plenty to be happy about from the street food offerings in South America. Chile has made the classic US hot dog its own with the ‘Completo’, topped with generous portions of avocado, tomatoes and mayonnaise. If that still hasn’t satisfied your taste buds then head to Argentina to try choripan, delicious grilled chorizo served in baguette-style bread and often topped with the herby hit of chimichurri.

Oceania’s top 10 must-try street foods

Onto Oceania. Here, the culinary scene is heavily influenced by indigenous flavors. New Zealand’s crayfish is a coastal classic and Australia adds its own twist to the UK’s fish and chips, with deep-fried barramundi often served alongside chunky chips, a real treat for seafood lovers.

But if you’re looking for something super comforting, Australia’s meat pie comes in the form of a hand-held pastry with a savoury meat-and-gravy filling. Vanuatu’s national dish, lap lap, also makes the top ten in Oceania. Made with a vegetable paste consisting of grated yams or taro baked in coconut milk, and wrapped in banana leaves, it’s tasty and easy to carry around. Or, if you need your sweet tooth satisfied, try fairy bread in Australia, simply white bread and butter, covered with hundreds and thousands.

The most popular vegan street foods around the world

For vegans traveling abroad, finding delicious street food that aligns with their lifestyle choices can sometimes be challenging. While not all street food may seem vegan-friendly at first glance, many dishes can be adapted to be vegan or are accidentally vegan, so it’s worth asking for adjustments or checking ingredients to ensure they’re free of animal products. This is particularly important if veganism is linked to allergies, as you can avoid health issues from hidden ingredients like dairy or eggs. Additionally, exploring vegan street food on YouTube, food blogs, and TikTok can provide a wealth of tips on the best plant-based bites in different countries, as well as which places are more naturally vegan-friendly.

Some popular vegan-friendly street foods around the world include India’s spicy, tangy pani puri and crispy aloo tikki, both of which are made with potatoes and spices. Falafel—a crunchy chickpea delight served in pita —is another globally loved vegan option that is extremely popular in Israel. In Thailand, mango sticky rice pairs fresh mango with sweet coconut rice, offering a perfect plant-based treat. When in France, don’t miss frites (French fries) or savory galettes, which can often be enjoyed without butter. For a taste of Japan, mochi—a chewy rice cake made from rice flour—provides a unique, naturally vegan dessert option.

While these are the street foods that are already suitable for vegans, or ‘accidentally vegan’, many street foods can be adapted to become vegan-friendly. Tasty dishes, including tacos and pad thai, as well as sweet treats such as crepes, can all often become vegan-friendly when asked.

But, before you head off, some tips for eating street food abroad

Exploring the street food scene can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences while travelling. That said, it helps to approach it with a few key tips in mind to get the most out of it.

Do your research

Starting with the obvious, do some research before you head off. Dive into local recommendations through apps and social media, such as TripAdvisor, TikTok and Instagram. Travel blogs and online food forums are also great resources to discover locally-loved food markets or hidden gems you may have otherwise not found.

Keep safe

Street food safety varies worldwide, so practicing good hygiene and local etiquette is super important. Look for stalls where food is freshly prepared and served hot, and pay attention to busy vendors, as a steady stream of customers often indicates quality and trustworthiness. Carry hand sanitizer and consider drinking bottled water to avoid any potential health issues.

Etiquette is also important; do your research before you do any haggling with vendors, as this can vary in different countries and cities. Remember to respect local customs, such as not photographing food or people without permission. Also, be sure to leave a great review for vendors you loved!

And be curious about culture!

Embracing street food culture offers a chance to engage with the local community. Each food stall and dish has its own story, so try asking vendors about their food or the history behind a particular dish.

Remember, street food is not just about eating, it’s about embracing the culture and care that goes into creating it!

Methodology: How we found the world’s most iconic street foods according to TikTok

We compiled a list of over 300 street food delicacies from 136 countries around the world and analyzed the number of TikTok posts on each delicacy’s hashtag on TikTok, to reveal which street food dish in each country is the most posted about. We then ranked the street foods by the highest to lowest number of TikTok posts to reveal which are the most popular.

Delicacies that are known to have originated in, or are popular in, multiple countries were included, but street foods that were too broad to be associated directly with a few specific states/regions or countries (i.e dumplings) were excluded. All data correct as of October 2025.