Street Food Recipes from Around the World

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Street food is the heart and soul of global cuisine. It is where culture, flavor, and tradition come together in a single bite. From the bustling markets of Asia to the vibrant food trucks of North America, street food offers a unique glimpse into the culinary identity of a region. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a mouthwatering journey around the world, sharing some of the most iconic street food recipes you can recreate at home.

1. Tacos al Pastor (Mexico)

Tacos al Pastor: a staple for Mexican street food. It brings together Lebanese flavors and Mexican twists, as slices of pork shoulder are marinated in a spice blend that involves chilies, pineapple, then grilled and presented on soft corn tortillas.
Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pork shoulder thinly sliced
  • 3 dried guajillo chilies
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Pineapple slices
  • Corn tortillas
  • Some cilantro and onion for garnish

Recipe:

  1. Reconstitute the guajillo chilies in hot water, then puree with garlic, pineapple juice, cumin, and oregano to make the marinade.
  2. Let the pork marinate for at least 2 hours.
  3. Grill the pork with pineapple slices until caramelized.
  4. Serve on warm tortillas and garnish with cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime.

2. Pad Thai (Thailand)

This popular Thai dish hits all the right notes in terms of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Stir-fried rice noodles are poured over shrimp, tofu, eggs, and a tangy tamarind sauce.

Ingredients:
8 oz rice noodles
2 tbsp tamarind paste
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup tofu, cubed
1/2 cup shrimp
2 eggs
Bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Soak rice noodles in warm water until softened.
  2. Mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, and sugar together to make the sauce.
  3. Stir-fry tofu and shrimp, move to the side, and scramble the eggs.
  4. Add noodles and sauce, toss all together.
  5. Garnish with bean sprouts, peanuts, and lime.

3. Arepas (Venezuela/Colombia)

Arepas are versatile cornmeal cakes that can be stuffed with a variety of fillings. They’re a beloved street food in both Venezuela and Colombia.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa)
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Fillings of your choice (cheese, shredded beef, avocado, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Mix cornmeal, water, and salt to form a dough.
  2. Shape into patties and cook on a griddle until golden brown.
  3. Cut open and fill with your favorite fillings.

4. Churros (Spain)

Crispy outside, fluffy in, and cinnamon sugar coating, churros are a little Spanish sweet that now brighten everybody’s day worldwide.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Oil for frying
  • Cinnamon sugar to coat

Instructions:

  1. Boil sugar, salt, butter, and water. Mix flour into it and form a dough.
  2. Pipe the dough in the hot oil and fry till golden brown
  3. Roll in cinnamon sugar and serve with chocolate sauce.

5. Samosas (India)

These crunchy triangle pastries with spiced potatoes and peas have become an all-India snack and favorite.

Ingredients

  1. 2 cups flour
  2. 1/4 cup oil
  3. 1/2 cup water
  4. 2 potatoes, boiled and mashed
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • Oil for frying

Step-by-step Instructions:

  1. Prepare dough by combining flour, oil, and water.
  2. For the filling, sauté potatoes, peas, and spices.
  3. Fill cones prepared from the dough with the filling and seal it.
  4. Fry until it becomes crispy and golden brown.

6. Banh Mi (Vietnam)

A French-Vietnamese fusion, Banh Mi is a delicious sandwich full of grilled meat, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:
1 baguette
1/2 lb grilled pork or chicken
Pickled carrots and daikon
Fresh cilantro
Jalapeños
Mayonnaise and soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Slice the baguette and spread with mayonnaise.
  2. Layer with grilled meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and jalapeños.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce and enjoy!

7. Poutine (Canada)

This is a Canadian classic: crispy fries, cheese curds, and rich gravy. It’s comfort food at its best.

Ingredients:

  • 4 large potatoes, cut into fries
  • 1 cup cheese curds
  • 2 cups beef gravy

Instructions:

  1. Fry the potatoes until crispy.
  2. Top with cheese curds and hot gravy.
  3. Serve immediately.

Why Street Food?

Street food is more than just a quick meal; it’s a celebration of culture and community. It is a chance to recreate similar environments and have the same flavors by trying these recipes at home. It can be savory or sweet or full of spice, and somehow or another, there will be a street food recipe to suit your taste.

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