20 Must-Try Street Foods from Around the World

Thinking of going on a food trip? We can guide you through the ins and outs to help you make the most of your food itinerary.

Gastronomic experiences and good food is one of the main reasons why people travel. Every country has a unique delicacy or street food that everybody else wants to try. There is a different taste for every place.

To help you with your next “food-cation,” we combed through the local food scene and picked out the tastiest snacks and dishes that are easy on the budget. Here are the best and cheapest street foods around the world.

Tacos (Mexico)

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Probably the most popular Mexican street food, tacos have been around for a long time and have undergone many evolutions. A taco is usually made of corn tortillas, filled with meat or fish, and fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, or pepper.

People have made their own versions of this street food and have added new ingredients to the mix. But it is still hard to beat the original.

Churros (Mexico)

Churros are a street food that appeals to many. They are a crispy and chewy dessert made of fried dough. They are often dusted with powdered sugar and may come with a special filling, such as chocolate. You can also put a variety of toppings on Churros, from Nutella to fruit.

Although they originated in Spain, churros are popular in Mexico and other Eastern and Western countries. Even restaurants and cafes have started adding churros to their menu.

Empanada (Spain)

Another popular type of pastry with Spanish origins is the empanada. It is either fried or baked dough and may have beef, pork, chicken, tuna, or other meat mixed with tomato, peas, or potato for its fillings.

The flaky crust and the savory stuffings make empanadas a great snack or dinner option. Because of the variety, empanadas are extremely popular when on the go or as a quick snack while you’re out exploring.

Jerk Chicken (Jamaica)

Jamaica has a distinctive food culture. One of its famous street foods is Jamaican jerk chicken, which is prepared by slow-cooking spiced chicken over a wood and coal fire or grill.

Jerk refers to the manner of turning the chicken while grilling. The smoke released and the slow style of cooking the chicken all contribute to the unique and enticing flavor of this dish.

Crepe (France)

A crepe is a delicious, large pancake that is popular street food worldwide. Different countries have their unique versions, and crepes can be filled with many different fillings and presented in many creative ways.

Crepes are fairly easy to prepare, with crisped flour as its base ingredient. Its fillings can range from strawberry jams to combos with cheese and cream, fresh fruit, or sweets like Nutella. Crepes are popular in U.S. cities but are also a star in French cafes.

Waffle (Belgium)

Waffles are known to be a to-go meal or a popular snack in the U.S., but they are actually more European than American.

Have you ever heard of Belgian and Dutch waffles? Waffle carts flock to the streets of many big cities. They are often topped with syrup, some fruits, or yogurt.

Pastel (Brazil)

Another version of a stuffed pastry is pastel. Pastel is Brazil’s take on a fried or baked snack like empanadas. It is usually shaped like a rectangle or a semi-circle, and the crust is crispy and flaky.

While pastel means sugary food in Portuguese, this Brazilian street food may have meat, cheese, and even something spicy for its fillings.

Roti (India)

Roti, also known as chapati, is a type of flatbread that is said to have originated in India. It is mainly made of flour and can be eaten as a substitute for rice.

Because it’s a mild-tasting dish, roti pairs perfectly with curry and balances the spicy. When eaten with yogurt, it becomes a complete, hearty breakfast.

Doner Kebab (Turkey)

Turkish cuisine lovers know how well-loved doner kebab is. In fact, this street food is not only popular in Turkey but has also been adopted in other countries. Especially in Germany, doner kebab is the most popular street food. It’s even more popular than currywurst, what Germany is traditionally known for.

Although doner kebab traditionally uses lamb or beef, German doner kebab often uses chicken or turkey. The meat is cooked vertically and may be wrapped in a pita or served with rice.

Kürtőskalács (Hungary)

Also known as chimney cake, kürtőskalács is a famous Hungarian street food that resembles a cylindrical cake. The cake’s inner part is hollow, often dusted with cinnamon and filled with sweet chocolate paste.

Although it is considered a street food nowadays, the kürtőskalács actually has royal origins. It was a famous recipe prepared in Hungarian Kingdoms.

Falafel (Egypt)

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to meatballs, try falafel. It is a famous street food in the Middle East, particularly Egypt. It is made of broad beans or ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices.

During preparation, falafel is usually shaped like a ball or a patty and may be served with a pita.

Laksa (Malaysia)

If you happen to be in Southeast Asia and are a fan of spicy food, try the Asian favorite laksa soup. It is a spicy type of coconut noodle that is cooked with a special laksa paste.

The rich laksa taste and aroma is a fusion of shrimp, shrimp paste, chili, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, shallot, and tamarind. This dish is most famous in Malaysia and Singapore.

Pho (Vietnam)

Pho is the star of the streets in Vietnam. This is a must-try for anyone who visits the country. Pho is a soup dish with rice noodles, meat, and some herbs as the main ingredients.

The specific recipe for pho is so uniquely Vietnamese that it is difficult to imitate the authentic dish. So, if you want to have real pho, go to Vietnam or visit an authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

Banh Mi (Vietnam)

Banh mi is a Vietnamese baguette with a crispy crust. The sandwich is filled with steamed meat, vegetables, and some herbs. Banh mi is said to be an alternative to pho during the summer when it is too hot to have soup.

Mango Sticky Rice (Thailand)

Mango sticky rice is a crowd favorite among the many popular Thai street foods. It is made of cooked glutinous rice, paired with mango slices, and topped with coconut milk.

Its presence in Thai restaurants worldwide is a testament to its popularity among foreign diners.

Halo-Halo (Philippines)

Halo-halo is a special summer dessert in the Philippines. Its name literally means “mix” in Tagalog, referring to the mixture of different ingredients.

Although there are other variations, the most popular version is made of shaved ice, mung beans, banana, jackfruit, tapioca pearls, coconut jelly, shredded coconut, purple yam, flan, and ice cream. Filipinos add condensed and evaporated milk to achieve a sweet, milky, and creamy taste.

Tteokbokki (Korea)

Rice flour is a popular ingredient in many Asian foods. In Korea, one of the most well-loved street foods is tteokbokki. It has a chewy texture and is often served with broth seasoned with gochujang sauce.

Tteokbokko also goes well with other sides like dumplings, boiled eggs, or kimchi.

Takoyaki (Japan)

You might have seen takoyaki even on the streets outside Japan. It is a ball-shaped dish with a very distinct taste because of its special batter, which consists mainly of wheat flour and dashi (a special fish broth).

Takoyaki literally translates to “grilled octopus,” so the traditional version has pieces of octopus, although other versions nowadays may contain shrimp instead.

Xiaolongbao (China)

China is famous for its buns and dumplings. One of the many that truly leave a lasting impression is xiaolongbao. It is a soup dumpling that has meat stuffing. It is steamed and served in a basket called xialong.

The way you should eat this street food makes the experience more unique. You first have to drain the soup by poking a hole in it or taking a small bite. This allows you to truly savor the broth before enjoying the filling.

Gua Bao (China)

Another favorite snack from the family of buns is gua bao. This is a perfect mix of light and heavy as it is a braised pork belly wrapped in a fluffy bun.

Unlike the closed dim sum classic recipes, gua bao is cut open. This is achieved by folding a flattened lotus bun and adding the filling. While it originates from China, it’s also popular in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines.