Street Food Around the World

14 hours ago
3 min read

When it comes to planning my clients' vacations and discussing their wish lists, "good food" often tops the list, regardless of destination. From sitting down to a multi-course, upscale dinner on a favorite cruise ship, to ordering tacos from a poolside food truck, to discovering a hidden gem restaurant that serves the best pasta, to sampling Instagram-famous snacks around a theme park, everyone has a different idea about what makes vacation food memorable.

Sometimes, the best way to experience the culinary scene of your destination is simply to explore, ducking in and out of tiny restaurants, ordering food from the street vendors, stopping at snack stalls and sneaking in bites while you observe the flow of the city around you.

The street food scene is strong around the world, with many countries and cities being deemed worthy of praise by passionate internet foodies everywhere, but four of the countries often mentioned for a fantastic street food experience are: Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, and India.

While the endless options of delicious dishes is a check in the pro column for hunting down the best street food, the excitement to make good choices and try as much as possible can also be stressful for travelers. Scheduling a guided tour with a local expert combines a lesson on the history and culture of the destination along with the pleasure of sampling some of its best flavors.

Thailand

Bangkok is one of the top food destinations in the world, which means that deciding what to eat while visiting requires a bit of advance planning. Families pass their treasured recipes down through the generations, and the enticing smells of cooking food waft through the streets. If dumplings sound delicious, try Khanom Jeeb (pork) or Gui Chai (crispy garlic chive) or Pun Sip Neung (a steamed option that usually contains chicken or fish). Another favorite is Kai Jeow, a puffy omelet often served on a bed of rice. Som Tam, a light and refreshing green papaya salad, offers a burst of contrasting sweet, spicy, and sour flavors.

Foodie tour options include Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, Old Siam Bangkok Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, Northern Flavors Chiang Mai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, and Night Street Food Tour of Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Vietnam

The street food scene in Vietnam is welcoming and forgiving, especially for newbies who might not feel overly confident in their ability to navigate the etiquette and menus. Street food vendors usually offer one or two dishes, and this is a good thing – it means they are highly specialized in their product! Another tip? Look not just for busy spots, but busy spots full of locals.

Foodie tours options include Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Sightseeing by Motorbike, Small Group Hanoi Street Food Tour with a Real Foodie, Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Street Food – Small Group Tour, and Saigon Evening Walking Street Food Tour.

Mexico

In a city where fine dining establishments regularly earn themselves spots on international "best of" lists, some of the most delicious foods are served by the street vendors. Tacos al pastor, perhaps the most famous of Mexico's offerings, are easy to spot with their roasting meats slowly spinning on the spit. Elotes, grilled corn, is another popular (yet messy!) favorite with its tang of mayonnaise, cream cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and powdered cheese. To satisfy a sweet tooth, camotes are a must-try, as this simple food is one of the country's most traditional street foods. Vendors roast sweet potatoes and serve them with jam, condensed milk, and cinnamon.

Foodie tour options include Private Historic City Tour + Street Food of Oaxaca, Cancun Street Food Tour with Food Stalls, Local Market, and Murals, and Mexico City Street Food: A Beginner's Guide.

India

The street food offerings in India are legendary, and the size of the country means that offerings vary widely across the regions. Follow your nose to the aroma of frying snack foods like samosa, katori chaat, pani puri, or medu vada. Start your morning off with a cup of steaming chai or cool off in the afternoon heat with lassi. For a sweet, gulab jamun is perhaps the most famous of the country’s treats, and people love to indulge in these fried dough balls.

Foodie tour options include Mumbai Street Food and Evening Bazaar Tour, Madurai Street Food Crawl, Old Delhi Street Food and Spice Market Tour, and Mumbai Street Food Tour.