A solo traveller’s food tips: How to eat your way through the world
It’s about time I talk about food. Food is always at the centre of my travels. It’s not just what I eat, it’s the smells that hit me as I step off a bus, the sizzling sounds of a market at night, and the way a simple meal can anchor me in a new place. Some of my favourite travel memories aren’t of temples or beaches, but of tiny bowls of noodles, mystery skewers from a street cart, or a dessert I couldn’t pronounce but ordered anyway.
But I’ll be honest: when you’re travelling alone, food can sometimes feel tricky. Eating by yourself in a busy restaurant can feel awkward, menus can be intimidating if you don’t know what you’re looking at, and it’s easy to play it safe with “classic” dishes instead of exploring something new. And even as a foodie, I can admit that going out for food multiple meals a day can get tiring. I have gone through stages of grab deliveries and convenience store meals because of this. I have also definitely had moments where I’ve gone back to the same place multiple times, especially when staying in a location for a longer period of time. When I was in Okinawa, I ended up going to this ramen bar, Akamaru, multiple times. The food was incredible and the ordering process was so easy and done through a vending machine. The owner was also very happy to see me every time I walked in.
I find that this isn’t something that’s often discussed with solo travellers, but food can be overwhelming. Especially when you’re travelling long-term. So here are my best foodie travel tips for solo travellers.
Follow the locals
The simplest rule I’ve learnt: if it’s packed with locals, you’re in the right place. I’ve wandered into plenty of restaurants that looked a little rough around the edges but turned out to serve the best meals of my trip. If people who live there are queuing up, the food is fresh, affordable and worth the wait. And as a solo traveller, joining a line of hungry locals can be strangely comforting. You don’t feel like you’re “alone at dinner”; you’re part of a moment, all waiting for that same bowl of noodles.
While I was in Koh Tao, Thailand, there was a restaurant that was packed every time we walked by. So of course, we had to try. It was called Duck 995. It was incredible. It was basically roasted duck, with rice, noodles or ramen. It was so simple, but delicious. And I’ve also met a lot of other travellers in other countries who have been to Koh Tao and rave about it too.
Embrace street food
Street food has saved me countless times. It’s quick, cheap and so much less intimidating than walking into a restaurant alone. It’s a great way to try different types of food without a lot of pressure. I also love sitting on a plastic stool at a night market; it’s a great spot to sit and watch what’s going on around you. Also, some of the best food I have ever had in my life has been at food markets. With street food, of course you should still be careful. I am always cautious with food that looks like it’s been sitting out for a while and make sure my food is always served piping hot.
Night markets are also a good way to interact with other travellers, it’s less pressure than a sit-down meal, everyone can order what they want and come and go as they please. You also don’t have to sit down; you can collect food and take it back to your hotel room or hostel. I just wouldn’t be eating it in a shared dorm, that’s kind of against dorm etiquette. Read the room.
When I was in Chiang Mai, I tried red pork noodle soup from a night market stall. I remember how incredible it was. I think the meal itself cost me less than a pound too. Penang particularly stood out to me for street food, especially the smoky char kway teow, where the chef tossed noodles over a flaming wok like it was a magic trick.
Use social media as your food map
TikTok and Instagram have become part of my travel toolkit. Searching hashtags like #SeoulFoodie or #BangkokEats has led me to hidden gems I’d never have found on my own. You don’t just get recommendations; you can see exactly what the food looks like, how big the portions are, and what the vibe of the place is before you go. This is also a good way to find out about more unique dishes. TikTok is where I discovered tomato ramen.
This is especially helpful in places like South Korea, where solo dining has traditionally been less common. This was also something I struggled with a lot in South Korea. Seeing creators highlight restaurants with single portions or solo-friendly set-ups gave me the confidence to walk in without worrying I’d be turned away.
Take a cooking class
Cooking classes are great. You get to eat amazing food, learn how to make it and spend time with other travellers. It’s also nice to get back in the kitchen if you have been travelling for a while. I am a huge foodie and love learning how these foods are put together. It’s also amazing to see how different cultures cook. I took a sushi-making class in Japan, which gave me the chance to try different foods that I wouldn’t usually order, like Eel. It was also insane to see how much effort goes into making sushi. It really is an art, a very delicious art.
However, this class did see me getting a little cocky. I put a whole raw scallop in my mouth and it scarred me for life. It was too much texture and too much for my first time eating a raw scallop. I was also a little hungover, which didn’t help. It took me a while to be able to eat sushi again.
Pick your timing
If you’re nervous about sitting down alone, go during off-peak hours. A mid-afternoon lunch or an early dinner means the restaurant is quieter, staff have more time to explain things, and you don’t feel like you’re taking up space meant for groups. This is actually how I met a friend of mine. She was my waitress in Japan and at the end of the meal, she asked if I would like to go for drinks sometime. She ended up taking me to some bars in Okinawa and getting me to try some of her favourite foods. We still keep in touch now.
Keep snacks handy
This sounds simple, but as a solo traveller, it’s essential. Bus journeys run late, trains get delayed or you arrive somewhere new and don’t have the energy to track down food. I have learnt this lesson the hard way a few times. A stash of local snacks like dried fruit, rice crackers or even instant noodles can be a lifesaver. When I touched down in Japan, my first meal was an Uncle Ben’s rice that I had been carrying in my backpack since Australia. Yes, probably not the best food, but it was too late to be venturing the streets of Tokyo and I was exhausted. The hostel thankfully had a microwave and I had my trusty travel cutlery with me.
Invite fellow travellers to join you
Just because you’re travelling solo doesn’t mean you always have to eat alone. Some of my favourite meals have been shared with people I’d only met that morning on a tour or at my hostel. Food is such an easy icebreaker; everyone needs to eat, and inviting someone out for dinner or to a night market feels far more relaxed than suggesting a big activity.
The bonus? You get to try more dishes. In so many parts of Asia, food is designed for sharing. Ordering a handful of plates for the table means you’ll taste twice (or three times) as much as you could manage on your own. It can also be nice to encourage each other to try different foods.
Say yes to free food in hostels
Some hostels will provide meals. This is not only a good way to save some money, meet new people and try new foods. Some hostels even include dinners or free BBQs, which is a fun way to meet other travellers and try local food. This not only saves you money, but it really feels like a win. When I was in Australia, this would be such a plus when it came to saving money. But in Asia, it was a good way to try new foods. One of my favourite meals ever was a Kamayan feast served at a hostel in the Philippines for free. The food was unreal and still something I talk about to this day. We weren’t just trying new foods; it felt like a celebration.
Convenience stores are your best friend
When you don’t feel like a big meal or just want something quick and cheap, convenience stores are a lifesaver. They are great for breakfast. Coffee, pastries and cereal are super cheap and easy. The famous 7/11 toastie in Thailand is practically a rite of passage for travellers in Southeast Asia, but it doesn’t stop there. You can get full meals, snacks and they’ll even heat things up for you. In places like South Korea, some 7/11s even have ramen stations where you can make your noodles on the spot. It’s perfect when you’re not really hungry, when you’re too tired to hunt down a restaurant, or when you’re travelling on a budget.
Japan is a whole new experience when it comes to convenience stores. I was in Japan for a while, and I chose to stay there for a while to catch up on work. I was getting three-course meals at the convenience store for less than a fiver. Their katsu curry was just as good as the restaurants I have eaten in. And still to this day, Family Mart’s fried chicken is the best I have ever had in my life.
Balance comfort with adventure
Yes, try new foods and be bold. Tasting something unfamiliar is a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and connect with a culture in the most delicious way possible. If a dish is popular or a delicacy, there’s probably a reason for that. So try it. This is how I discovered cold noodles in South Korea. I was apprehensive seeing ice cubes in my ramen broth, but it ended up being the most delicious and refreshing dish. But it’s also important to have boundaries; if you really don’t want to eat something, you don’t have to. And don’t let other travellers make you feel bad about that.
And don’t feel bad if you sometimes crave comfort food. After weeks of rice and noodles in Asia, you might suddenly find yourself dreaming of pasta, pizza or even a simple toastie. That’s okay—it’s about balance. Social media is a great way to hunt down Western comfort food when you need it. That’s actually how I found Bikini Bottom, a spot in Vietnam that served the most incredible cheese toasties and tomato soup just when I needed them most. It wasn’t “authentic” to the destination, but it was exactly what my soul wanted and that matters too.
Don’t forget the little things
It sounds obvious, but keep an open mind and a bit of flexibility. Carry tissues for those street stalls without napkins, learn a couple of food words in the local language (like “chicken”, “spicy” or “vegetarian”) and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I have made a few, including accidentally ordering a raw brain to the table. It might have been traumatising at the time, but now it’s one of the funniest stories that my best friend and I have. Half the fun of eating abroad is muddling through and often, locals will happily step in to help and share their amazing food culture with you.
Food is a huge part of my travels. It’s how I connect to a place, how I meet people and how I push myself out of my comfort zone. Yes, eating alone can feel awkward at first. But now I love eating by myself and even do it by choice when I am at home.
So if food is one of your favourite parts of travelling too, don’t let being solo hold you back. Say yes to the street stall. Take that cooking class. Bite into the fruit that smells a little too strong. Because food doesn’t just feed you on the road, it becomes the story you’ll tell when you’re back home.
And if you’re hungry reading this post, just know that I am starved!
