Enjoy Street Food while you Travel

Posted by Shruti S.
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Mar 8, 2016
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Travel is all about getting to know a culture and a place. A great part of this experience, something that is also very necessary to live, is by eating. Through food, you unlock the secret flavours that tell you about a country’s history, culture, and people in one simple bite. When you’re out and about on the streets of a new city, your stomach might steer you towards street food but your mind might guide you away.

Depending on the country you are in, street food could have a positive or negative reputation. After all, the last souvenir you want from your holiday is a bad case of food poisoning. The good news is that it is totally possible to stay safe while eating street food and ensure that you get all the tastes of the local culture without any of the local bugs. Keep reading for some practical and handy tips on how to ensure you choose the right street food.

 How to check the street food is clean
The best way to do this is to trust your gut – quite literally. If you see a place that makes your stomach feel a little uneasy because of visible dirt or grime, simply turn away. Keep an eye out for clean looking food stalls and even take your time to ask some questions to the chef while observing the conditions of how the food is prepared.

You’re not obliged to eat at every stall; you are more than welcome to just check out what’s on offer.  A smart way to see how clean a food stall looks is to engage the shop keeper in conversation, ask about the foods they prepare, and be polite and friendly while you are doing so. As you do this, you can keep a keen eye out the back to see what the cooking conditions are. Just make sure you remain polite and culturally respectful as you do this so as not to offend the locals.

How to avoid food poisoning
One key way to avoid food poisoning is to avoid eating meat. Due to heat conditions and unsanitary storage solutions, there is a higher risk of food poisoning with meat. A vegetarian diet is very sustainable and healthy while traveling so long as you make sure you supplement your diet with high energy snacks like nuts and have plenty of green leafy vegetables.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is food that is washed in tap water. You really want food that is prepared and cleaned in bottled water to avoid any nasties in the water that can give you an unsettled stomach.

Why you should consider a local tour guide

When you eat where the locals eat, you are more likely to find food that is safe and prepared properly. Locals really know what the deal with their culture and food markets is so they are a wealth of knowledge. Whether you have a local tour guide whom you can turn to for advice, or make some local friends by yourself, trust their instincts and experience on what is best to eat and where.
Eating where the locals eat is also a great way to get off the main streets and away from the tourist traps. You are much more likely to stumble across a genuine hidden gem with the real tastes of a country when you go with the locals. After all, they have lived in the city, and when they can communicate in the same language as the chef they are immediately better off than you are.


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