HÀ NỘI  Steamed, stirred or sizzling, Hà Nội’s street food scene has once again whetted global appetites, with the capital named the second-best city in Asia for street eats by UK travel and culture guide Time Out.

Known for its year-round charm, Hà Nội also captivates visitors with its diverse cuisine, especially its vibrant street food culture, highlighted in the recent article "10 Best Street Food Cities in Asia" you need to eat through.

"Synonymous with affordable and addictive curbside cuisine, Asia is arguably the poster child for the world’s best street food — just ask Michelin," the website notes.

"Picture works engulfed in flames, tiny, red plastic stools and the scent of lemongrass. From the stalls of Penang to the alleys of Hà Nội, follow your stomach to these 10 street food cities across Asia."

Time Out points out that Việt Nam’s capital is home to a treasure trove of food finds tucked down narrow alleys, up winding concrete stairs and on bustling street corners.

"Join the lines outside Bánh Mì 25 in Old Town for a barbecue pork bánh mì. Hunt for a steaming bowl of northern-style phở down a dark hallway and up a winding staircase into the living room of Ms Minh at Phở Hàng Trống. Snag a stool at Bánh Cuốn Bà Lộc for some bánh cuốn, a rice paper roll filled with minced pork and mushrooms," it reports.

"If you eat only one thing: Bún chả is Hà Nội’s unofficial official dish. An addictive umami broth with grilled pork meatballs and pork belly served alongside fresh vermicelli noodles for dipping. For the best, head down a smoke-filled alley to Quán Bún Chả - 74 Hàng Quạt."

Affordability, accessibility and deliciousness are the criteria the website is based on to evaluate food meccas where visitors will never go hungry.

The No 1 city is Penang in Malaysia, while Singapore ranks third.

Other cities named are Mumbai in India, Chiang Mai and Bangkok in Thailand, Tainan in Chinese Taipei, Osaka in Japan, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and Chengdu in China.

Time Out suggests dishes to try in every city on the list, such as char kuey teow (a stir-fried noodle) in Penang, laksa (a coconut broth noodle soup) in Singapore, and sweet satay skewers grilled by the roadside in Bangkok.  VNS