Top 10 Lesser Known Street Food Cities of the World, The journey of food started from the birth of life on this planet. The early humans ate raw flesh and plants. With roll of time the process of enriching the taste of the food was researched into. This never ending search for the perfect taste of food has wildly enriched the craft of cooking. Cooking is a necessary art in everybody’s life. Each culture has its own culinary lineage, that immaculate mix of ingredients which can take the food connoisseur to seventh heaven. We all know restaurants stage the art of culinary skills. Street food emerged out of the need to satisfy the hunger of the burgeoning population of the cities with varying income levels. These street foods gradually merged with the character of the city and became a unique identity of its streetscape. Istanbul, Bangkok, Marrakech, Mexico city, Hong Kong have gotten their fair share of popularity.
The listed cities below showcase a versatile array of street food yet somehow the world is not completely aware of them.
Top 10 Lesser Known Street Food Cities
Tel Aviv, Israel
The city of hummus and falafel is the ultimate destination of a food tripper. Stroll through the streets of Tel Aviv.If you feel hungry grab a bagel toast, a special type of sandwich or try out a Sabich. If you do not like experimenting simply stick with the Shawarmas. The numerous food stands will never let you stay hungry.
Cartagena, Colombia
The wondrous colourful Latin American walled city of Cartagena is the hotspot to fulfil the needs of an adventurous appetite. The street food sellers exhibit their delicacies in wooden carts, small kiosks and mobile grill tops. Infact guided street food tours are conducted and they claim it is the best way to know the lifestyle of the locals. Try out the anytime breakfast item of Arepasor savour the taste of the cheesy delight of Bocadillo con quesso. Do not shy away from filling your mouth with the huge assortment of sea food because after all, it is a Caribbean coast city!
Melbourne, Australia
The food trucks here serve food you can swoon over without burning a hole in your pocket. It is pure joy that you feel when you walk that extra mile to catch these parked trucks. Here you will be spoilt for choice with the trucks vying for your attention with their varying cuisines. Choose from Traditional Greek food, gourmet pizzas, South African bunny chows, Ugandan Rolex, burgers, tacos and much more. As a testament to its dine and wine culture, Melbourne is known to host an International Street Food Festival.
San Juan and Luquillo, Peurto Rico
Food stands serving mouth-watering food allure you toward themselves in San Juan and Luquillo. Gorge on the sandwiches, get lost in the sweetness of the pastries or delve into the Peurto Rican cuisine- the choice is yours. The kiosks in beachside Luquillo serve heavenly sea food along with the traditional Peurto Rican food Alcapurrias and Bacalaito. Alcapurrias are seasoned meat filled dough. The recipe of thinly sliced cod fish mixed with salt, ground black pepper and garlic is known in Peurto Rico as Bacalaito. See Also; Top 10 Bizarre Foods That People Usually Eat.
Ottawa, Canada
The street food culture in Ottawa is very well regulated. The food trucks and carts all have a distinct twitter and facebook page with a huge, and devout fan following. Salads, Sandwiches, Asian food, Sea food, Mexican delicacies, baked goodies and even Korean food is available! Canadians sure know how to exhibit culinary expertise. See Also; 10 Original Locations of Fast Food Chains.
Calcutta, India
Welcome to the land of the Bengalis, a community which takes immense pride in flaunting its food culture. One of the unique features of this city is the never-ending stream of street food vendors whom you will find in even the quietest lanes and alleys. The street food in Calcutta is influenced by India’s neighbouring countries of China, Tibet, Pakistan and Myanmar. Try tasting the tangy spicy Phuchkas to which no Bengali can say a ‘no’ to. The Churmur, Telebhaja, Jhalmuri are hot favourites. Delve into the Delhiite Chola Batora, Mumbaikar Pav Bhaji or South Indian Dosa. The non-vegetarians can savour the meat roll or a Cutlet and Chop or the amply available Momos and Chowmein.
Osaka, Japan
In the expensive country of Japan with their strict attention to quality of food, it is not unnatural of you to expect an exorbitant price for a meal. But, you will be surprised to know the gastronomic experience that this town offers is not much pricey. A pleasant eatery will welcome you in every nook and corner of the city known in Japan as the ‘nation’s kitchen’. Sushi, Sea Urchin, Baby Octopus along with several other unexpected dishes can be found in these Japanese streets. The food capital of the Land of Rising Sun is definitely worth a visit!
Palermo, Italy
Palermo is a part of Italy, yet it displays distinct culture and food practices of its own. In Palermo the street carts ooze with greasy octopuses. Spleen, lung meat and cheese are clubbed together to form a sandwich. Pizzas here are almost burnt yet tastes awesome. Street Food tours are arranged by the food fanatics of this town. Take one of these tour and walk down through the aisle of the town and gawk at its street food collection!
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland, popular for its natural geysers has a secret jewel down its pocket. It is the street food in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. Unlike the Asian towns, in Reykjavik street food joints are very few and rare but we have to keep in mind the small size of the country’s population before judging this. The most popular is the Baejarin’s Beztu which has earned its name owing to its enormous hotdog sale. The stall famous for hotdogs and Coca Cola has been visited by high profile personalities like Bill Clinton. Icelandic fruit mix and burgers are popular in other street food counters of the city.
Beijing, China
Much of Beijing’s street food is now available off the streets and in organized food courts, where customers buy a card that they load with cash and swipe at each vendor.
The Jiumen Snack Street, surprisingly well-hidden among the narrow paths of the hutongs around Houhai lake, hosts many of the vendors who once shouted at patrons on the sidewalk.
Now they shout at patrons in a building. They claim to offer 200 kinds of snacks, drinks and desserts, but that could be a low count.
Many of the same dishes are on offer on Wangfujing Snack Street, a pedestrian way that includes a night market and lots of food on sticks, including unusual nibbles like scorpions and seahorses.
Both places offer foods from all over China, including spicy Sichuan dishes and steaming bowls of noodles. Wangfujing also sells souvenirs, making it popular with both foreign and domestic tourists.
Miami, United States
Miami is home to amazing Cuban food, none more so than the humble Cubano sandwich. Ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, toasted like a Panini to fill the mouth with crunchy, chewy, savory goodness.
This is the sandwich Jon Favreau makes playing the title role in “The Chef.” In the movie, the sandwich is so good it revitalizes his career.
Is a Cubano actually that powerful? Yes, it is.
Bali, Indonesia
OK so this one isn’t a city. But as a destination, Bali has an almost mythic quality.
It’s entranced writers for decades with its mix of spiritual retreats and surfing, stunning geography and relaxed culture. The food is as wide-ranging as everything else on Bali.
“Traditionally the best Balinese food is ceremonial, with these days some of the best dishes served in streetside restaurants,” said Bali-based Samantha Brown, co-founder of Travelfish.org, an independent guide to Southeast Asia.
“One not to be missed dish is babi guling, a Balinese take on suckling pig, where various dishes using the entire pig are served. Nothing goes to waste.”
“While Ibu Oka’s in Ubud is the usual recommended place to go, Warung Babi Guling in Sanur is my pick (and doesn’t attract the tourist hordes).”
Marrakech, Morocco
Smells of food fill the streets of Moroccan cities, and nowhere is the quality or diversity greater than in Marrakech.
“Marrakech is all about street food,” says Anna Koblanck, who writes a blog on African food travel.
“In the evenings, the city gathers among snake charmers and musicians at the Jemaa el-Fnaa square to taste the incredible spread of Moroccan delicacies that are on offer from the street stalls.
Bangkok, Thailand
It’s impossible to avoid street food in Bangkok, where sidewalk vendors in different parts of the city operate on a fixed rotation.
Some take care of the breakfast crowd with sweet soymilk and bean curd, others dish up fragrant rice and poached chicken for lunch.
The late-night crowd offers everything from phad thai noodles to grilled satay.
Chef Van, of the French brasserie 4Garcons on Thong Lor Soi 13 in Bangkok, favors street food in Chinatown – known locally as “Yarowat.”
He recommends hoy tod nai mong, a crisp fried mussel pancake: “The chef and owner makes them one by one on the charcoal stove.”
Another favorite: Kuay tiew kai soi sai nam phung: “It is noodle soup with chicken wing stew with young egg and pork intestine! I’ve had it since I was a kid.”
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaiian food is a creative mishmash of cuisines, combining local traditions with the culinary tastes of successive waves of migrants from the mainland United States, Asia and Latin America.
The result includes an array of raw fish salads known as poke (poh-kay), as easily available as a sandwich in other cities.
Tuna and octopus are the two most typical options, prepared with flavors inspired by everything from kimchi to ceviche.
The city also has a thriving food truck culture. The best is a bit of a drive.
