Vietnamese cuisine is the 4th best in the world, surprisingly ranked number 1

Enjoying local cuisine can help visitors discover a lot about their destination. Every country has a unique culinary atmosphere, reflecting its own culture with culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.

For this year's World's Best Food Awards, the newspaper selected the places that really tantalized visitors' taste buds. The score is a percentage that represents the average overall satisfaction level of the selection.

As a result, Vietnam scored 96.67 points, ranking 4th in the list of the world's top 15 cuisines.

Northern Vietnamese meal at a restaurant in Vietnam

PHOTO: DELICIOUS

"We've all seen Vietnam's golden rice fields, so it's no surprise that the ingredients here are some of the freshest in the region. Rice comes in all shapes and sizes—steaming bowls, delicate noodles, spring rolls—but it's always topped with local vegetables, tender meats, and heady herbal aromas. Any backpacker will love the street food, from Cai Rang floating market to tiny alleyways like Xom Chieu, which serve up the best of Vietnamese cuisine at rock-bottom prices. But if you're looking for something more sophisticated, head to Ciel Dining in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the best new restaurants on our 2025 hot list," raves Condé Nast Traveler.

Right above Vietnamese cuisine is Japan with a score of 96.77. Second place is Italy, with 96.92 points. Surprisingly, number 1 is Thailand, with 98.33 points. "Thailand's regional culinary diversity means that each new destination offers visitors new flavors; vibrant night markets make the enjoyment of delicious food almost never stop. Thailand has mastered the art of bringing delicious food to visitors without fuss, and whether you are a fan of Thai food or not, the hot bowls of noodles, curries and soups will surely conquer you, especially when served by friendly locals," the newspaper wrote.

The remaining cuisines on the list include: Turkish, French, Moroccan, Colombian, Maldivian, Peruvian, South African, Greek, Sri Lankan, New Zealand, Spanish.