The best destinations in the world if you love street food, according to travel experts

While stunning sights and incredible cultural experiences are a huge part of why we travel, food is fast becoming an equally important factor for many.

In fact, eating like a local is the key to really "get under the skin of a city", according to travel experts.

And some of the world's best food comes from the street – from Vietnam's sizzling bánh mì to the satay in Malaysia.

READ MORE: One thing travel agent would never do when booking flights

"[Street food] is fast, local, and unforgettable. You remember the flavours, the smells, the noise – and those tiny plastic stools," Ali Greer from EnPerSo Leisure Travel shared via The Australian Travel Industry Association.

Food is indeed a driving factor when choosing where to holiday – with one third of Aussies have booked a trip just to visit a restaurant, according to data from OpenTable.

READ MORE: 8 hidden-gem beaches in Western Australia to hit up this summer

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Asian city named 'number one' destination for foodies

Ali's team has shared some of their must-try favourites when it comes to street food.

Hanoi, Vietnam: Go for the Bánh mì and bún chả: Sweet, tangy and packed with herbs.

Shanghai, China: Hand-stretched noodles and crispy scallion pancakes are the ideal choice here.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The satay and nasi lemak is fragrant, spicy, and iconic.

Singapore: Dubbed "humble but addictive" is the Hainanese chicken rice.

Sri Lanka: Egg hoppers, kottu roti, and roadside samosas will give you the perfect taste of Sri Lanka.

Hong Kong: In Hong Kong the Gai daan tsai (egg waffles) are best enjoyed hot, on the move.

New York, USA: Asia may dominate the street-food scene but you can't go past a NY hot dog from a street cart – simple, nostalgic, and iconic.

How to find the best food when travelling

One thing you shouldn't do to help find the best food when travelling according to experts is just use Google.

it's easy to just search "paella near me" while on holiday in Barcelona, but often this can be misleading. Google search results can be skewed to show you sponsored content, and reading reviews from 'real people' might seem authentic, but some reviews might be faked or bought.

That's not to say Google isn't a valuable resource when planning your trip, but it shouldn't be your primary one.

Instead, Jamie Barys, who launched UnTour Food Tours, shared previously that chatting with locals is a surefire way to find a great hidden gem restaurant.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal she said it helps to be specific when asking questions.

"Ask 'what is your favourite everyday place to go for lunch or dinner, somewhere you eat at regularly but don't see many tourists at?'."

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Australia's best (and worst) international airlines for food