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If food is a window to the soul, then street eats reveal a city’s truest essence. Exploring a new destination using gastronomy as your guide leads to your palate forming a map of travel memories.
From crisp-yet-gooey arancini in Italy and fluffy bao buns in Beijing, to paper-thin crepes in France and pillowy spiced samosas in India, each location has an excellent reason for stopping roadside.
Find the very best vendors, eat fresh and watch magic happen before your eyes, with our top tips for navigating street food when you travel.
Eat as the locals eat
Following in the locals’ footsteps – where they’re queueing and subsequently eating – is one of the best indicators of freshness and food turnover. If in doubt, crowds should give you confidence. In the absence of online reviews, a busy stall is often so for one reason: it’s really good. Seek out food carts and even delis or cafes with a roster of regulars and take your place in line for the best bite you’ve never eaten.
For extra insight into your destination, ask staff at your hotel or resort where and what they like to eat. Food recommendations from those that know and live in the area are often better than any tourist guide.
Watch the prep
The best street food is made fresh. Avoid pre-prepared dishes if you’re unsure about the vendor’s refrigeration, or how long cooked meat has been sitting out at room temperature. Watching your order being prepared also gives you opportunity to look for other signs of good food hygiene, like use of gloves (always a bonus), keeping raw and cooked meats separate, and waste disposal. Half the fun of eating street food is watching it being prepared too, letting anticipation build towards that first steaming-hot bite. You might even discover a new method for cooking your favourite international dish at home.
Hot & fresh is always best
Prioritise hot food, preferably cooked to order. You don’t need to avoid raw ingredients and dishes entirely (like mango and sticky rice in Thailand) but opting for something served straight from the wok or grill, that is thoroughly cooked, offers that additional peace of mind. Rather than salad, opt for grilled skewers, fried noodles, fresh-steamed dumplings or deep-fried… anything. Remember, you can always ask a vendor if they’ll prepare something fresh for you (it’s always better to wait five minutes for something to be whipped together before your eyes than gamble on something already sat there).
Hydrate the right way
No matter which city you’re exploring, hydration is always important. Carrying your own bottle of water is the most sustainable option; some cities, like Rome, Seville or Zurich, are known for their fresh water fountains, making it easy to fill up as you explore. But not just any water will do the trick – make sure to do your research before visiting anywhere, noting local water quality and recommendations for tourists.
Invest in a drink bottle with a built-in filter or buy sealed bottles. Some hotels in cities without potable tap water may also provide complimentary bottled water, which are great for refilling your own vessel every day. A can of carbonated water or soft drink is a good alternative; just give the can rim a wipe or pour it into a clean glass if needed.
Don’t forget ice is water too: unless you know it’s been made with clean or purified water, request for it to be omitted from your drink.
In search of unforgettable street food? Try Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), Mumbai (India), Penang, George Town (Malaysia), Singapore, Mexico, Istanbul (Turkiye) and Taipei (Taiwan).
Pack smart & stay covered
Seven t-shirts, two hats, 14 pairs of underwear: a packing list for any overseas holiday isn’t complete until you’ve ticked off some basic medications. Be prepared for every eventuality with upset stomach tablets, electrolyte powder, antihistamines and preferred pain relief among anything else you may need.
The right travel protection is also something you can’t leave home without, and will determine what assistance is available if you do get sick abroad. Look for policies such as XCover‘s Comprehensive Travel Protection with overseas medical cover, that can be tailored for emergency medical needs – allowing travellers to focus on recovery, not unexpected costs. Some packages may also cover the replacement of prescription medication.
When in doubt, start small
No matter where you’re headed around the world, there can be an adjustment period as your body adapts to different spices, ingredients and preparation methods. If you don’t eat much chilli at home, perhaps take a few days before diving into your first order of vindaloo or Portuguese piri piri.
It’s always best to ease into street food. You might celebrate your arrival with dinner at the hotel restaurant before venturing out to a local market. Once you’re ready, start small and work your way up to the more experimental meals. Sure, you’re there to be immersed in the culture, but good things come to smart travellers.
If you do find yourself seeking assistance, XCover is available 24/7 as your medical phone-a-friend for all the advice you need to get back on your feet and hitting the streets.
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Feature image: Shutterstock / siamionau pavel.
