You can have the best Indian curry in London. There’s a pretty good Vietnamese restaurant on Avenue Richerand in Paris. In Rome, there’s a Lebanese restaurant in Piazza Dante which offers a mean fatayer. And if you’re in the mood for Chinese, there are a dozen good and regional Chinese restaurants in Stockholm.
Food travels well. That, for foodies, is good news as they can feast on cuisines from around the world in just one city. And yet, there’s something a bit strange eating a curry in the polished streets of London, or a tabule while surrounded by people tapping their Ferragamo heels. Because, while satay still tastes good thousands of miles away from Malaysia, one important ingredient is location.
When chewing on a piece of beghrir, you want to be in the vast confusion of Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech. You want to struggle with a hot pot while being elbowed by hungry diners in Wanhangdu Lu junction, Shanghai. And you need to smell the Bosphorus when eating a fish sandwich underneath the Galata Bridge in Istanbul.
And there’s only one menu which can satisfy all the senses: street food.
Stalls selling simit are everywhere in Istanbul.Istanbul, Turkey
You’ve probably consumed the odd kebab or two, but they certainly don’t compare with the kebabs from the food stalls around the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. And it’s not just kebabs – Istanbul has a tasty street food menu that features ring-shaped simit topped with toasted sesame seeds, flatbread, stuffed mussels and the juiciest lamb. For the best kofte in town, go to the Sirkeci district and join the queue in front of Ali Usta’s stall. The soft, spicy mash of bulgur and onions is worth the wait.
If you’re after fresh fish, head to the stalls around the Galata Bridge. Here, fresh fish is hauled in and grilled as you watch. Not all the stalls are genuine – look closer and you will notice that some have boxes of imported mackerel hidden under the grill. Your best bet is Tufan Usta, a second-generation fish-sandwich maker who sets up his grill near the Karakoy dock. A grilled mackerel fillet is placed on a toasted roll with onions and a squeeze of lemon. It’s the freshest food in Istanbul.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexican food doesn’t attract good press because we think that Mexico is all about tortillas. Yes, tortillas south of the border are good, but Mexican cuisine is much more than that. In fact, the first thing that will hit you once you arrive in Mexico City is the sheer variety of street food: roasted corn, ceviche, tacos with pineapple and pork, churros filled with chocolate, tostadas – the list just goes on and on.
So, where to go for the best street food in Mexico City? Anywhere, really. The area around the Mercado Allende in the Coyoacan neighbourhood heaves with street food stalls, and all are good. The Tostadas de Coyoacan stall, for instance, offers tasty tostadas with a variety of mouth-watering toppings, including fresh shrimp with chilli, spicy chicken and crab salad. Wash down with agua de frutas from a neighbouring stall.
Vietnamese street food feeds off the freshest ingredients.Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Admittedly, the food stalls in Ho Chi Minh City don’t look too inviting. However, don’t be misled by their ramshackle appearance – behind the unrefined façade is the kind of food that has been nourishing generations. Noodle soups or soft shell crabs with tamarind sauce cost next to nothing. And don’t miss out on the pork because you will not taste better anywhere else in the world. The Com Tam Moc stall in Ly Tu Trong Street serves crispy pork skin and meat with a fried egg on top. Delicious.
Rome, Italy
For anything else, sit down at a proper table and engage in some people watching. But for Roman pizza and suppli, nothing beats eating them piping hot while stretched out on a pavement in some breezy piazza. Pizza Florida in Piazza Torre Argentina probably offers the best pizza al taglio in the capital. Just a few euros will buy you a crispy base with all kinds of toppings, from mushrooms and ham to zucchini flowers.
For traditional suppli, head to the Re di Roma in Piazza dei Re di Roma. This place is truly the king of suppli.
Tasty tagines in Marrakech.Marrakech, Morocco
There are two main truths in Marrakech. The first is that you will get lost in the GPS-defying medina. The second is that you will eat well wherever you go. Every corner in every street is haunted by the smell of cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, white pepper and saffron. The heady smell will help you work up an appetite – once that happens, head to the main square, Djemaa el Fna, where tens of food stalls set up every evening, serving harira, shwarma, roast lamb, spicy sardines, couscous and a tasty choice of tagines. If you’re feeling adventurous, try crumbed liver.
Penang, Malaysia
Street food in Penang is an unforgettable experience. From assam laksa, a sour fish soup, to satay and roti, the street food here is cheap and will make you very cheerful.
If you’re having one thing, then go for satay – this spicy kebab is barbecued over a charcoal fire and served with fresh cucumber, onion and a rice dumpling. But we’re sure you will go for more items – feast on nasi lemak, which is coconut rice with sambal, peanuts, eggs and cucumber, or fish ball soup. Some of the more creative cooks prepare their fish balls using eel. And don’t miss out on the pork. Kheng Pin Cafe in Penang Road serves a legendary five-spiced pork wrap in bean curd skin.
New York: if you can eat it here…New York, US
The food trucks in NYC are like the world’s best cuisines on wheels. You can find all kinds of street food here, from hot dogs and grilled cheese to genuine Taiwanese fare and Thai delicacies. Moreover, some of the food trucks have dedicated apps so that you can follow them around. However, most stick to the same route so you can’t miss them.
Shorty’s On Wheels is renowned for its Philly steaks. There’s a honey chipotle steak, a chicken steak with broccoli, and even a pizza steak served with marinara sauce. Add a serving of fries and you’re good to go. If you hunger after something more unusual, head to Veronica’s Kitchen in Front Street – the eponymous owner serves food inspired by her childhood in Trinidad. Her speciality: oxtail stew.
Delhi, India
The street food in India is probably unmatched. And in Delhi, it’s just a delight. Spicy tikkis, which are potato balls, are delicious eaten piping hot, while you will not get enough of bhel puri, which is a snack of puffed rice and spices. Pani Puri is a perfect marriage of crisp dough and a soft mixture of potato, chilli and tamarind. Samosas are, of course, available anywhere, as are shawarmas, various meats cooked on a spit.