Street Food Around the World
I don't know about you, but one of the first things I want to do in a new place is sample the food! So often it is easy to end up feeling overwhelmed by the options and potentially end up in a ‘tourist trap' that doesn’t actually give you the quality you really want! I have to admit, I have fallen victim to this very situation enough to make me cautious by this point. I now find that the fastest and most immediately satisfying option to be street food! Every destination in the world has unique and delicious street food. While some destinations such as Tokyo and Lyon are world famous for their food there are also plenty of other delicious and potentially lesser known places to experience wonderful street food. Here are just a few of the must-have street foods around the world.
Okonomiyaki is the quintessential Japanese street food. A friend of mine grew up in Kyoto and he raves about the endless options available. Okonomiyaki translates roughly to ‘whatever you want’ so the ways to customize them are numerous! You will also find that they vary widely depending on where you are in Japan. Usually though, you will find it with nagaimo, dashi, green onion, cabbage, pork belly, vegetables, shrimp, and cheese – all topped with otafuku sauce.
Scotch Eggs are a favorite of mine when I am in London! Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am a bit of a scotch eggs snob. But, honestly, what’s not to love about a soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage and then fried? Slather generously with some piccalilli and I'm happy as can be. The best I’ve had come from a wonderful little spot named Scotchtails in the Borough Market right by London Bridge.
While there are far more common dishes that you will find on the streets of Singapore, Chili Crab has to be one of the most famous. Sweet, savory, and a little bit spicy, the crabs are stir fried and coated in a thick sauce. Usually eaten with your hands, most places have wet towels to wash your hands after your meal.
Churros in Madrid are a perfect way to start your day. There are two kinds – thing & knotted or thick. Both are usually eaten for breakfast and dipped in thick hot chocolate. When you’re in the city, check out La Antiqua Churreria on Calle de Brave Murillo. This place has been around since 1913 and is still frying up delectable churros from their great-grandfather’s original recipe.
In Tel Aviv, make sure you have the Falafel. Falafel is a truly ancient dish – so much so that no one really knows for sure what its origins are. Several countries claim to be the birthplace and you can find it all over the world at this point, but it is hard to argue that falafel has truly become the national street food of Israel. Made from chickpeas and often served in a pita, you will find falafel topped with salad, spices, pickled vegetables, and finished off with delicious tahini sauce.
Which ones have you had? Which do you want to try?
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