How to Eat Street Food Around the World (and Never Get Sick)

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When you’re tired and hungry from a long day of travel, there’s no time to wait for room service. Street food is nearly always readily available, and it’s often a great way to jump into a new culture. Whether you decide to chat up the cooks or just hang out nearby observing the scene, eating street food around the world is a good way to overcome that feeling of being “just another tourist.” Plus, you can usually count on it being a cheap meal.

The Rules for Eating Street Food around the World

As satisfying and delicious as street food around the world can be, however, not all street food is as healthy as you might hope—and I’m not talking about calories. Finding the best street food also means knowing which street foods to avoid.

If it’s your first time venturing into a food market abroad, or if you’ve had a bad experience with street food that you’re looking to learn from, here are some universal tips for finding and enjoying the best street food around the world.

Be Wary of Water

Unsafe drinking water is one of the biggest causes of traveler illnesses abroad. Whenever you travel to any country with a dubious tap water situation, you probably know to avoid drinking the tap water and to order all your drinks without ice. But you should also avoid eating fruits and vegetables that might have been washed in unsafe water. This means you finally have an excuse to skip the salad and opt for something grilled, fried, or boiled.

Get in a Long Line

Finding street food that won’t make you sick doesn’t mean you’ve found the best and most tasty street food on the block. To determine which vendors have the best street food, trust the power of popularity. If you see a long line for food, get in it—especially if you see locals doing the same. And if the stand has multiple people working behind the counter, that’s a sign the food is moving fast and likely to be fresh throughout the day. 

When in Doubt, Take a Tour

Between language barriers and a lack of knowledge about local cuisine, navigating any new food market can be a daunting task. If you really want to learn about the best food available, sign up for a tour on your first day in your destination and have a local guide show you the ropes. Not only will your guide point out the best street food, he or she will also be able to show you the ropes of what makes a good food stand in that particular place, as well as let you know if you’re overpaying or underpaying for your food.

[viator_tour destination=”76″ type=”3-mod” tours=”34253P1,30791P275,5511FOODST”]

More from SmarterTravel:

• 11 Best Foods to Try in New York City
• The 10 Best Boston Food Trucks
• 12 International Foods to Try Before You Die

Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer who is always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.

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