When it comes to global recognition, Southeast Asia is no stranger to praise. But in recent years, it’s not just the landscapes, cultures, or music that have captured the world’s attention, it’s the food.
The 2024/2025 TasteAtlas Awards have become a testament to this rising culinary influence, placing several Southeast Asian nations among the world’s best cuisines.
At the top of the regional leaderboard? Indonesia, proudly flying the flag of flavorful traditions.
Indonesia Leads with Flavor and Heritage
Indonesia’s cuisine ranked 7th globally with an impressive score of 4.48 out of 5, making it the highest from Southeast Asia. But the numbers are just the surface. Behind that ranking is a culinary tradition deeply rooted in centuries of spice trade, migration, and regional diversity.
From the rich, slow-cooked rendang of West Sumatra to the fiery sambal and beloved street-side nasi goreng, Indonesian food reflects a cultural fusion of Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Arab influences. Its use of native herbs and spices such as galangal, turmeric, candlenut, and more create layers of flavor that intrigue even seasoned palates.
What makes Indonesia’s cuisine so impactful isn’t just the taste, but the story. Food here is heritage. A celebration. A bridge between islands and generations.
Viet Nam, Thailand, and the Philippines Follow Closely
Indonesia may lead, but it's not alone. Viet Nam took 19th place globally (score: 4.34), thanks to its iconic pho, refreshing goi cuon (spring rolls), and the ever-popular bánh mì. Vietnamese cuisine stands out for its clean balance, savory broths, fresh herbs, and minimal oils. It’s light, but deeply satisfying.
Thailand also maintains its global culinary status (score: 4.26), offering bold and aromatic dishes like tom yum, green curry, and pad thai. Thai food is a masterclass in balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in a single bite.
The Philippines secured its spot with a score of 4.21, showcasing comfort-driven dishes like adobo, sinigang, and lechon. Its cuisine is a reflection of diverse cultural layers from indigenous techniques to Spanish, American, and Chinese influences, all simmered into something uniquely Filipino.
Culinary Influence as Soft Power
In a world increasingly driven by culture and content, food is becoming one of the most powerful tools of soft diplomacy.
Southeast Asian nations are realizing that exporting culinary heritage through restaurants abroad, viral food videos, and tourism can be as impactful as trade deals or political alliances.
TasteAtlas’ global spotlight isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about recognition. It fuels food tourism, invites cultural exchange, and fosters national pride. For many countries in the region, food is now a frontline ambassador to the world.
What About the Rest of ASEAN?
Singapore and Laos also made it into the global top 100, reflecting their rich, albeit smaller-scale, culinary appeal. However, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste weren’t featured in the 2024/2025 rankings, largely due to limited available data.
That doesn’t mean they lack flavor. On the contrary, these nations boast vibrant food cultures often underrepresented in global media.
Their absence serves as a reminder of the need to amplify lesser-known cuisines and support more inclusive food narratives in future rankings.
A Region That Tastes Like Home
What unites Southeast Asian cuisines, despite their unique spices and signature dishes, is their sense of comfort. The food is made to be shared, passed down, and eaten with hands or chopsticks, in bustling markets or quiet kitchens.
In every bowl of laksa, every bite of satay, every sip of sour soup, there’s more than just taste. There’s identity. There’s memory. And increasingly, there’s influence.
As Southeast Asia continues to rise on the global stage, its food is not just following. It’s leading. And in that journey, every dish tells a story worth tasting.
