Southeast Asia is a street food paradise where $2 can buy you a meal that rivals any fine dining experience. Here's your essential guide to eating your way from Bangkok to Hanoi.

Bangkok, Thailand

Must-try: Pad Thai at Thipsamai, mango sticky rice at any market stall, boat noodles at Victory Monument. Chinatown's Yaowarat Road is the ultimate after-dark food crawl.

Penang, Malaysia

Must-try: Char kway teow, assam laksa, and roti canai. Head to Gurney Drive hawker centre for the full experience.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Must-try: Banh mi from street carts, com tam (broken rice), and bun bo Hue. Sit on tiny plastic stools and eat like a local.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Must-try: Pho at Pho Gia Truyen, bun cha (Obama's choice at Bun Cha Huong Lien), and egg coffee at Giang Cafe. The Old Quarter is a labyrinth of flavors.

The key to great street food travel: follow the locals, eat where the queue is longest, and never skip dessert.