Can’t decide between Pho, Pad Thai, Kuy Teav or Laap? Discover the iconic street food of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand – plus exclusive Vietnam Tours, Cambodia Tours, Laos Tours and Thailand Tours that take you straight to the best bowls with Legend Travel Group. Book with only 10% deposit!
The soul of Vietnam in one bowl (Source: Internet)Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience guiding more than 100,000 travellers across Southeast Asia. This guide is proudly created by Legend Travel Group – Southeast Asia’s trusted tour operator since 2008.
When street food becomes performance art (Source: Internet)Nothing defines the soul of Southeast Asia more than a steaming bowl of noodles or a sizzling wok. From Hanoi’s fragrant Pho to Bangkok’s fiery Pad Thai, Cambodia’s delicate Kuy Teav to Luang Prabang’s spicy Laap – each country has its signature dish that tells a story of culture, history and family tradition.
At Legend Travel Group, we believe the best way to settle the “Pho vs Pad Thai” debate is not to choose one… but to taste them all on a perfectly crafted food-focused journey across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
The undisputed national dish. Slow-simmered beef or chicken bone broth (sometimes 12–24 hours), rice noodles, fresh herbs, lime and chilli.
Hanoi style: clear, subtle, herb-heavy
Saigon style: sweeter broth, bean sprouts, basil, hoisin
Best eaten: 6 AM with locals on plastic stools
The global superstar. Rice noodles stir-fried with tamarind, fish sauce, palm sugar, dried shrimp, egg, tofu, peanuts and lime.
Street version: smoky wok hei, extra lime
Tourist version: often sweeter, less fish sauce
Pro tip: Always ask for “Pad Thai Thai” (Thai-style) to avoid the tourist version
The underrated champion. Pork bone broth, rice noodles, minced pork, shrimp, fried garlic oil, fresh herbs.
Phnom Penh style: richer broth, more garlic
Battambang style: lighter, more herbs
Served with chilli paste, lime and pickled vegetables on the side
Not a noodle dish but impossible to ignore. Minced meat (pork, chicken, beef, duck or fish) salad with lime, fish sauce, padaek, toasted rice powder, mint and chilli.
Luang Prabang style: milder, more herbs
Vientiane style: spicier, sometimes served warm
Eaten with sticky rice and raw vegetables
Hanoi - Where the real Pho magic happens (Source: Internet)We don’t just show you the famous stalls – we take you to the hidden family-run spots that locals love.
Sunrise Pho with 4th-generation family in Hanoi Old Quarter
Midnight Pho on plastic stools in Ho Chi Minh City District 4
Cooking class with a Saigon street vendor
Sunrise Kuy Teav at Psar Kandal (Phnom Penh)
Nom Banh Chok (Khmer noodles) in Siem Reap morning market
Private dinner with a family who survived the Khmer Rouge era
Laap cooking class with a Luang Prabang family
Khao Soi breakfast on the Mekong riverbank
Evening food walk through Luang Prabang night market
Original Pad Thai at Thip Samai – Bangkok (est. 1966)
Boat noodles in Ayutthaya
Michelin Bib Gourmand street stalls with local food expert
Always wait for the vendor to serve – never reach into the pot
Use the communal spoon to taste broth first (Vietnam & Cambodia)
Mix your own chilli level – never complain it’s too spicy!
Say “Aroy” (Thailand), “Chha ngon” (Cambodia), “Sabai” (Laos), or “Ngon quá” (Vietnam) when it’s delicious
Leave a small tip (10–20 THB/KHR/USD) if the food was exceptional
Pad Thai in Bangkok (Source: Internet)Cool & dry season (November–February): perfect for sitting on plastic stools
Early morning (6–9 AM): when the broth is freshest
Evening (5–10 PM): night markets come alive
✓ Only 10% deposit – pay the rest 30 days before departure
✓ Private or small-group options (max 12 guests)
✓ Local English-speaking foodie guides
✓ All street food tastings included – no hidden costs
✓ 24/7 support from our Southeast Asia team
✓ Flexible cancellation policy – keep peace of mind
Ready to settle the Pho vs Pad Thai debate once and for all?
Explore our dedicated food tours:
By Legend Travel Group – Southeast Asia’s Most Trusted Tour Operator Since 2008
Website: https://www.legendtravelgroup.com
WhatsApp: +84 825 862 222
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