The 10 Best Street Food Scenes in the World

 

The best way to explore the world is one meal at a time. While there’s always a reservation waiting to be made, the most unforgettable culinary experiences are often stumbled upon. From adventurous to traditional, here are our favorite street food scenes in the world.

The vibrancy of Mexico City doesn’t stop at art and dance. Start your morning with a sweet or savory tamale and fresh-squeezed juice. Then, try tlacoyos, an old Aztec favorite of stuffed blue corn masa, or go classic with chilaquiles or tacos for lunch or dinner.

There’s such an abundance of street food in Thailand, locals say the best way to choose is to follow your nose. Pad thai, spring rolls, sticky rice, curry dishes…the list goes on and on in Bangkok, 24 hours a day. 

Tokyo’s street food scene is dedicated to highlighting signature dishes from all over Japan. Try takoyaki (fried octopus balls) from Osaka, trendy crepes from Harajuku, and of course Japanese classics like yakitori and gyoza.

While dining in Paris can be upscale and costly, it doesn’t have to be. Enjoy a Nutella and banana crepe or a prosciutto and butter baguette sandwich on the streets of Paris. We also recommend visiting booths of fine meat, cheese, fresh bread and jam, then grabbing a bottle of wine for a picnic!

While you can’t go wrong with a classic New York slice or a visit to the hotdog cart, the New York City food scene is known for featuring flavors from all over the globe. Some of the city’s most renowned chefs have even left their post in the kitchen for a truck or cart, making some of the city’s finest food available from the sidewalk!

Street food Istanbul serves everybody, from busy CEOs to students dining on a dime. A favorite among Turkish locals is simit, a baked dough dressed with molasses and sesame. Also popular are fish sandwiches, snail soup, doner kebabs, roasted chestnuts, and kumpir, a baked potato stuffed with any toppings you could imagine. 

You can’t explore the streets of Ho Chi Minh City without stopping for Banh Mi. This sandwich loads roasted pork, rice pate, chillies, pickles and spices onto a baguette for a burst of flavor you can’t miss. Pho is also a local favorite, a hot soup that’s the definition of Vietnamese comfort food.

Settle into street food in Marrakech with bestilla, a sweet and savory meat pie that’s considered a Moroccan staple. For the adventurous members of your group, try sheep’s head, a local street food favorite! If that’s not your thing, Marrakech markets often feature hookah, live music, and mint tea readily available.

Curried fish balls are an iconic Hong Kong street food feature, along with stinky tofu, egg waffles, and deep-fried pig intestines. One thing’s for sure: each meal in Hong Kong is certain to be an experience to write home about!

You’ve never had jerk chicken till you’ve had it in Kingston. In fact, jerk seasoning is a staple all over Jamaica, for meat and veggies alike! Street food in Kingston also boasts fresh fish, shrimp, conch, and lobster right from local boats. Take in the surrounding island views to make your meal that much better.