Lumpiang Shanghai, Tortang Talong are Southeast Asia's Best Food: Taste Atlas

The Philippines' Lumpiang Shanghai and Tortang Talong have been rated the best food in Southeast Asia by traditional food guide Tasta Atlas, besting conventional favorites like Vietnam's Pho and Thailand's Pad Thai.

The two dishes topped the rankings of Southeast Asian food in the "best" category, having earned a rating of 4.8 stars. Balut or fertilized duck egg, ranked "worst" with 2.7 stars. 

"Even though lumpia appears in numerous variations, the Shanghai version is characterized by a savory filling which combines ground pork or beef with carrots, onions, various seasonings, and (occasionally) shrimps," TasteAtlas said in its description of Lumpiang Shanghai, the crispy deep-fried lumpia variety that evolved from Chinese spring rolls. 

Describing Tortang Talong, the guide wrote: "This versatile delicacy is easily adapted with additional ingredients such as ground meat and vegetables, and it is traditionally served accompanied by steamed rice and tomato or banana ketchup. Inexpensive and quickly prepared, tortang talong can be enjoyed at any time of day as a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner."

ALSO READ: Sinigang is World's Best-Rated Vegetable Soup

Proving itself a worthy runner up in the best category at 4.7 was Indonesia's Bubur Ayam or chicken congee, while Pho, Pad Thai, and Indonesia's Satay ended up with a "great" rating. 

Rated "OK" were Malasia's Lasi Lemak, Indonesia's Chili Crab, and Vietnam's Bánh Xèo, while Balut, Acar, and Steamed Curried Fish ranked "Worst".