Understanding a place’s culture and history lies in its cuisine. There is no better way to do it than trying out street food from around the world. Easy, inexpensive, authentic and supremely delicious, one can never get enough of street food! Although we enjoy elaborate meals at restaurants, it’s often the street foods that yield some of life’s most cherished moments and enlighten us in unexpected ways. Eating street food is not only an absolutely vital part of the travel experience but also an opportunity to catch up with locals and know more about the traditions behind them. Here we have rounded up some of the best street food places around the world to give you a whole new reason to plan your next vacation.

London, UK

London’s food markets have delicious food with tons of options to try from. When it comes to street food, London has rows of tempting stalls, brunch spots and afternoon tea stalls. Some of the best food here is dished up on the street, and eaten with a wooden fork. These food markets are perfect for trying new things on a budget. From brunch to lunchtime bites till nightlife, London is any foodies’ dream come true. The streets of London are always alive with the enticing aroma of food. You’ll be in for a treat of Caribbean cuisine if you are in London for the Notting Hill Carnival. From the historic Borough Market to the new Maltby Street Market, there is no shortage of street food options here!

Must Try: Katsu Wrap, Tea-Brined Chicken Strips, Ahi Poke Bowl, BBQ Ribs.

 

Mumbai, India

Besides Bollywood the next best thing about Mumbai is the street food. The food here is unbelievably overwhelming and doubly satisfying. You will find hawkers setting up food stalls at every street corner and pavements selling hot portions of snacks and meals. People from all economic classes eat from the roadside food stalls, which serve some of the best local food, sometimes even better than many restaurants. The street hawkers have improvised and are now serving a variety of food that includes snacks, main courses, desserts, and even a few international cuisines. Mumbai has a long list of contrasting flavors that range from hot to sweet to savory, and textures from soft to crispy to creamy, making it a culinary paradise for locals and travelers alike without burning their pockets.

Must Try: Bombay Sandwich, Kebabs, Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji, Samosas, Chaats.

 

Singapore

Singapore takes the top spot because they offer some of the safest and economical eats in the world. Thanks to the stricter health regulations set up by the government for the hawkers. If you walk down the right street at the right time you can double down on some fresh fish dumplings without fear, tear out the eyeballs of curried fish heads with reckless abandon, and slurp star anise-scented pork rib soup until your heart’s content. Singapore’s massive scope, creativity, varieties of dishes available, and the fact that you can eat all this stuff with confidence earns them the title of best street-food city in the world.

Must Try: Dumplings, Chilli Crab, Oyster Omelets, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Pork Rib Soup.

Bangkok, Thailand

It’s almost impossible to have bad food when you are at one of the night markets in Bangkok as every corner of the city has something delicious in the making. Food is made with fresh ingredients bought at the market earlier in the day and usually prepared in front of you. The sidewalks are filled with vendors from different parts of the city operating on a fixed rotation. Some take care of the breakfast crowd while others dish up for lunch and dinner. A huge variety of meals, including seafood and vegetarian dishes can be found here. Food is tasty because of the complexity of flavors and quality ingredients even on a budget. Be ready for mounds of basil, garlic, chilies on top of everything, and plenty of sticky mango rice to combat the heat.

Must Try: Curries, Noodles, Roasted Duck, Phad Thai Noodles, Grilled Satay.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexican street food is both flavorsome and a haven for food enthusiasts who love to try something new every day. It has created some of the greatest street food ever known to mankind. Throughout the day you can find street corners crowded with Mexicans huddling around a cart with a flat grill frying up meats to fill inside fresh tortillas. Tacos are the most important item on the list as you can wrap almost anything in a tortilla. Apart from traditional Mexican, even less-conventional ethnic food trucks are also starting to make their mark in street food. Not just the travelers but also the locals love to eat street food at least once a week.

Must Try: Street Corn, Al Pastor Tacos, Gorditas, Churros, Quesadillas, Tostadas.

Check out how to make some mouthwatering Chicken Schnitzel with Cece Streams.

Texas, America

We all know American street food is responsible for the popular burgers, however, as you explore street food you will be surprised that there is far more to choose from. The mouth-watering street food hits the right spot every time with different flavors from different states you visit. There is no better place to experience great food with mobile food trucks dishing out delicious and diverse culinary delights on any given day. Everywhere you travel in America, you’ll find people from numerous cultural backgrounds, putting their own take on American street food. Foodies can discover the real America by booking with a local tour guide for down to earth cuisine that is relatively inexpensive.

Must Try: Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Donuts, Mac and Cheese, Loaded Baked Potato.

The street food scenes today are resonating with appetite more than ever before. Wherever you travel in the world, the most authentic flavor of any destination is the ordinary food cooked with fresh ingredients right on the street. Make sure to share your own must-eat street food destination in the comment box below.