Curbside Cuisine
Street foods from around the world are the heart and soul of international cuisine. What’s a trip to Ho Chi Minh City without a steaming bowl of pho eaten curbside, while perched on a tiny plastic stool? Or a stroll through Mexico City without a stop for tacos al pastor, dished up from a wheeled cart? For connoisseurs of local cuisine, streetside dining is a way to explore delicious foods, many of which are unavailable in restaurants.
More often than not, when you are travelling, it's easy to overlook the rich global history of street food. Dating back to the food hawkers of ancient Rome (with some centuries-old outdoor markets, like the Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech, still standing today), street food has long played an exciting role in cuisines throughout the world.
Choosing just one "best" street food from each country feels like picking a single spice from a bustling market. This list showcases my personal favorites, a delicious snapshot of what I've devoured on my travels. From Latin America and across Europe, North Africa to Southeast Asia, the pickings are lush and sometimes surprising. Though often imitated by restaurants, they taste best when scooped onto a paper plate or wrapped in wax paper and eaten standing up, stains and all. So, grab your metaphorical napkin and let's explore!
