Terra & Tide
Night Markets Southeast Asia
Night markets are where a lot of Southeast Asia's best food actually happens — not in restaurants, but at folding tables and mobile carts that only appear after dark.
Every city does it differently — Bangkok leans toward grilled skewers, Chiang Mai adds seating and live music, Penang treats it as a genuine culinary competition.
How to actually do it well
- Go hungry and order small portions from several stalls
- Follow the longest queue
- Bring cash in small bills
- Point at what looks good if there's no English menu
- Arrive right as it opens for the popular stalls