Johannesburg ranked among world's top 10 cities for street food

The City of Gold may have become a little crummy after years of neglect, but it’s serving up some of the world’s tastiest street treats.

This after Johannesburg was named one of the world's best cities for street food, placing eighth in Time Out's global ranking of the 20 Best Cities in the World for Street Food in 2026, The Bulrushes reports.

Based on Time Out's global survey of city residents, Johannesburg scored 56%, placing it alongside internationally renowned street food destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Hanoi and Bangkok. Ho Chi Minh City topped the rankings with 63%, followed by Kuala Lumpur (62%), Jakarta (59%), Taipei (59%), Mexico City (58%), Manila (58%), Hanoi (57%), Johannesburg (56%), Bangkok (56%) and Mumbai (55%).

Time Out South Africa general manager Aisha Mohamed said the publication aims to showcase the people, places and food cultures that make South African cities unique. She described Johannesburg's street food scene as extraordinary, adding that eating from a street vendor in the city is about far more than the food itself. She said Time Out's city guides celebrate the communities behind the dishes and the recipes that have been passed down through generations, and welcomed the international recognition.

Time Out Johannesburg's Nhlalala Mthembi highlighted Amanda's in Soweto, praising its R14 kota - a quarter loaf filled with chips, polony, special sauce and achaar - as an example of how outstanding food does not need to come with a fine-dining price tag. Mthembi said the dish reflects the skill and experience of vendors who have mastered their craft through years of practice.

Time Out Culture Connector Nick Hamman singled out The Hot Pot Kitchen in Midrand, a food truck established by TK and Pablo Tshiololi after they lost their jobs. He said its menu, featuring indigenous ingredients and township-inspired home cooking such as grilled mala, mopane worms cooked with tomato and onion, and flame-grilled tilapia served with pap and traditional sides, has earned it a place among Johannesburg's leading culinary destinations.

Johannesburg's inclusion in the global rankings shines an international spotlight on the vendors, cooks and communities that have helped shape the city's vibrant street food culture.

SOURCE LINK: https://thebulrushes.com/2026/08/06/time-out-ranks-johannesburg-among-worlds-top-10-street-food-cities/