The Hidden Gems: Must-Try Street Foods Around The World

It has been said that if you want to know a country or a place, try their street food, and the delicacies will tell you everything about the place. It’s a fact that street foods represent the core culture across the world. You have a ton of options, good food, cheap prices, and a grumbling stomach, so what are you waiting for? Go and eat whatever you want; it’s your stomach calling you to try tasty foods on the street.

Here is a list of delicious street food around the world, you must try:

Jerk Chicken (Jamaica)

Jamaica is known for barbecue-style food. It is served with seasoned rice. They use chicken or pork meat. The meat is dry-rubbed or marinated with Jamaican jerk spice. The method of wood-burning ovens is used to achieve smoky flavours.

Tteokbokki (South Korea)

Tteokbokki, commonly known as the popular Simmered rice cake, is the first dish that comes to mind when you think of South Korean. You must have seen many actors and actresses feasting on this spicy street food in Korean dramas. It is made from small-sized, white, cylindrical rice cakes. It is seasoned with both spicy and non-spicy sauce. Well, the choice is yours. If you prefer spicy, go for spicy sauce. You can find it anywhere in South Korea. Be it street food stall markets to pojang machas (street stalls) or restaurants.

The Sacred Pho (Vietnam)

Vietnam is known for its mouth-watering street food, and Pho [Rice noodle soup] definitely tops the list of best street food in Vietnam and that is the reason it is considered Vietnam’s national dish. It is a soup dish consisting of rice noodles, broth and meat. Refugees of the Vietnam war popularized this dish throughout the world.

Lahmacun-Turkish Pizza (Türkiye)

It’s common that we all are fond of Italian Pizza but guess what! We can also find a tasty pizza in Turkey, commonly known as Turkish pizza. Round in shape, topped with minced meat, vegetables and herbs such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, and parsley flavoured with spices, eaten preferably with lunch or dinner.

Aloo Tikki (India)

You will find this delicious dish on every corner or street in India. India is popular as ‘The Land of Spices’ not just for the Namesake. You can literally taste the spices in Aloo-Tikki. Originated in the Indian subcontinent, it is made of mashed boiled potato, peas, and various spices served with tamarind, coriander- mint sauce or sometimes with curd too.

Shawarma (Israel)

Israeli shawarma, a marinated delicious meat treat, is a completely different beast. Made from lamb, chicken, turkey and veal cut into thin slices, stacked in cones and roasted on a slow-turning spit is one of the most beloved street foods in Israel.

In sum, street food offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of a culture available at affordable prices. From the smoky, spiced flavours of Jamaican’s Jerk Chicken to the comforting warmth of Vietnam’s Pho, each dish tells a story of its place, crafted from local ingredients and traditional techniques. South Korea’s Tteokbokki offers a spicy kick, while Turkey’s Lahmacun presents a savoury twist. India’s Aloo-Tikki takes us on a trip to diverse spices of the subcontinent. These hidden gems of street food not only satisfy hunger but also connect us to the vibrant, diverse traditions of communities around the world. Therefore, next time you find yourself in a new place, remember to explore its street foods – you might just find your next favorite dish.