If you love to travel, then a must-do on the itinerary is a recce of the local gastronomy that a place offers.
In fact, no true-blue exploration is complete without tucking into the local flavours sights and sounds.
Whether grilled over an open flame or eaten cold with salad, these streetside nooks and stalls thronged by locals and tourists, sometimes surpass even fine-dine fare, too.
Here are a few popular local bites from around the world…
1. Crepes, France
They say you won’t go far in France without spotting a crepe stand. Sweet or savoury, the crepes are made with a choice of fillings — from meat to cheese, eggs, chocolate and fruit. To go healthy, try the buckwheat crepe with herbs.
2. Fried pancakes, Burma
Bien Mont cakes or fried pancakes are quite the street food norm in Myanmar. They are made with a variety of ingredients such as rice flour, coconut, jaggery poppy seeds.
3. Arepas, Colombia
Round cornmeal cakes that are baked or deep fried, arepas are a staple in Colombia or Venezuela. The sweet-salty breads are sold everywhere and may be made with a variety of ingredients.
4. Fish and chips, UK
Fish and chips has come to be almost symbolic with Britain. The hot and crispy fried fish are wrapped in paper, sometimes served with tartar sauce or with lime and chilli flavours. A must-try when you are here.
5. Fried noodles, Bangkok
If there’s one thing Bangkok is famous for, its malls apart, it’s the street food carts selling fried noodles. Have them the way you want — in a soup bowl or rice noodles in a stir fry. A popular bite is the guay tiew pad kee mow (commonly called ‘drunken noodles), made with loads of chillies.
6. Brik, Tunisia
Tunisian brik is a thin pastry around a deep fried filling. It is normally filled with egg, parsley and tuna, but it can also have cheese and other ingredients. The dish is also steeped in tradition. The story goes that the bride-to-be’s mother makes a brik for the potential bridegroom. If he eats it without spilling any egg yolk, he may marry the bride.
7. Poutine, Canada
Poutine is a dish made with thick home-style French fries and curds, topped with a light brown gravy. It originates in Quebec. This has grown so popular that fancier gourmet versions have sprung onto fine-dine menus, too.
8. Simit, Istanbul
These circular, sesame-encrusted bread with a buttery taste, are sold on pushcarts in Istanbul. They can be enjoyed crispy or soft.
9. Bunny Chow, South Africa
This South African delight, is a hollowed bun or bread parcel with aromatic curry, meat or beans. It is served with a side of chopped carrot sambal (salad). You can have it on the go as it comes in a paper bag.
