Sure, the hot dog stand right around the corner of your block might make the best hot dogs in the world, but are you really satisfied with eating this one delicacy for the rest of your life? Just as you’ve got the best when it comes to hot dogs (or maybe burgers, depending on where you live), other places on earth have their own street foods that you probably haven’t even heard of before, and believe us when we say that they’re just as delicious as the food that you’re used to, if not more.
However, in order to get a taste of those wonderful edibles, you’re going to have to start traveling because they sure aren’t traveling towards you. Even if you do find them close to your residence, they won’t taste half as good or authentic as they will where they’re actually made in the country of their origin, so if you want to unleash the foodie inside of you, then pack your bags because you’re about to travel the world in pursuit of some of the most mouthwatering street food in existence.
Bánh Mì – Ho Chi Minh City
It’s probably unlikely that you’ll be traveling to Ho Chi Minh city anytime soon, but supposing that you are, you’ll love the Bánh mì that’s readily available there. It’s the perfect blend of western and Vietnamese food and consists of meat, vegetable slices, and mayonnaise wrapped in bread. You may be able to find them in the west, too, but they won’t be much compared to the real deal in Vietnam, so make sure you try it someday.
Dürüm – Turkey
If you happen to live in Europe, a trip to Turkey for this lovely roll is worth it. It’s more or less a roll, which is what dürüm means in Turkish anyway. However, it’s made in a way that no other place on earth can compete with. A thin piece of flatbread is filled with spiced meat and a large variety of vegetables, not to mention the delicious sauce to bring all the flavors together. However, a mere description doesn’t do it justice; you really have to go out and taste it to feel the magic! If you’ve had a taste of döner, imagine something even better and you’ll get dürüm.
Supplì – Rome
Found all over the place being made by street vendors, this delicacy is definitely a treat. The word stands for “surprise”, and if you’re wondering what the “surprise” is — it’s the gooey mozzarella found inside this ball of rice which is made in combination with ground beef and other ingredients. It’s the perfect snack to have if you can’t think of something to eat, and having it in Rome could spell one of the best and cheesiest snacks that you’ll ever have.
Tacos al pastor – Mexico City
No, Taco Bell doesn’t count as authentic tacos no matter how much you want that to be the case. If you want a real taste of this Mexican dish, you’ll have to cross the border and get yourself this delicious street food. Tacos were formed originally when Lebanese traveled there and introduced their spit-roasted meat and shawarmas. However, Mexico decided to change things up a bit, and although they still have the meat in the recipe (which we’re glad for), they’ve replaced the shawarma with their own tortillas that give a unique taste when combined with the meat, veggies, and sauce. Combine this with some salsa and you’ll get the true taste of what tacos are meant to be.
People usually dream of sampling the most expensive dishes in Michelin-star restaurants, but just because street food doesn’t have edible gold or black truffles doesn’t mean it’s not worth tasting. You never know — your next best meal may come from a food cart on your next trip. Street foods almost define the places where they’re made and the world wouldn’t be the same without them. It’d be a shame if you never got to try them, so make sure that if you ever go abroad on a business trip or simply decide to take a vacation in one of those exotic locations mentioned above, go ahead and ask for these street foods because you’ll forever regret it if you don’t.