Western visitors often feel intimidated when it comes to sampling street food in Asia. Horror stories abound about some poor souls who lost their appetite or inadvertently brought back home some unwanted “pets”.
However, simply sticking to the hotel restaurant or established eateries mentioned in glossy travel magazines restricts one of the main highlights of traveling in the first place.
When away from home, one should be brave and adventurous. Besides, there is nothing lamer than simply bringing home tacky souvenirs and yet another tired shot of so-called “unspoilt” (read: over commercialized) beach.
On the other hand, nothing will elicit more “ooh” and “aah” than stories about exotic street dishes consumed in local surroundings.
Welcome to Cuisine a la Street
First of all, do not dismiss local street food because the place lacks fancy décor, or uniformed waiters, or even air-conditioning. The amount of customers should be more useful in deciding whether a particular local food stand is worth your foreign currency. If there are more filled tables than empty ones, that is a good indicator that the offerings are up to par.
A long queue that stretches a few meters means that this humble-looking street food establishment is a local legend. Get thee inside and prepare thy taste buds for an exciting ride!
How to Order Like a Local
It pays to observe, literally. Note what the locals are ordering, and if there is a language barrier, simply point out to the nearest waiter the dish that has caught your fancy.
If a waiter seems happy to oblige a bit more conversation from a clueless tourist, ask what is inside the said dish or request a recommendation. If the recommendation turns out to be not to your liking, at least you can still brag back home that you have sampled a true blue local delicacy.
What if the food looks suspiciously inedible? Remember: it's all in the mind. One man's poison is another man's source of culinary ecstasy. Besides, what is the point of traveling just to scarf down the same old thing? Take a deep breath, have some breath mints ready (just in case), and try that sucker!
What to Chew on Where
Here is a short list on which street food is recommended, according to the city:
- Bangkok (Thailand): Sukhumvit Road, the capital's longest road, boasts a huge selection of street food right on the pavement. One should not miss the "somtam", which is a sour/sweet/spicy papaya salad. Reputed to be the secret concoction which keeps Thai women slim, there are different variations of the "somtam", but newcomers should stick to the least intimidating version, the "somtam thai", which comes with peanuts, dried shrimps, and long beans. Those who are more daring can skip this level and immediately graduate to the "somtam puu", which is mixed with raw black crabs (which some people think unnervingly look like humongous spiders) and very pungent fermented fish sauce. Freaky raw crab salad still not hardcore enough? Nothing will gain more respect from folks back home than a video clip showing creepy crawlies (read: grasshoppers, red ants, beetles) eaten whole on the street. Just close those eyes and repeat, "They're just like potato chips back home..."
- Manila (Philippines): head on to the Malate area, which boasts both hip clubs and the notorious "balut" (fertilized duck egg). It looks like a normal egg outside, but crack one open and a previously unwarned visitor will find a dead duckling curled up inside, complete with a beak, head, eyes and feathers. How do the locals eat "balut"? They first slurp the amniotic fluid inside the egg, and then it's off to the duckling with a pinch of salt. Feel the bones break between the molars and the feathers tickle the tongue! Those who end up regretting about being too adventurous and prefer to totally forget the experience can wash it all down with copious amounts of San Miguel beer.
- Hong Kong (China): Nathan Road is not only famous for shopping. Since shopping burns so much energy, it is no surprise that the road is also home to various street food vendors and booths, ready to offer a much needed energy boost to shopaholics. Nathan Road is the place to try deep fried pig intestines. The intestines are wound up, wrapped around each other and then dunked into a deep pan full of boiling oil. The result is a snack that is greasy, unhealthy but strangely satisfying. Well, at least the pig intestines look less intimidating than the foods mentioned above. But fret now, there will be no loss of respect from people back home, as long as the words "pig intestines" are mentioned every time the said picture is being shown off.
Iron Stomach Not Necessary
It is simply not true that a visitor needs high-tech protection in order to enjoy local food offerings.
To spare digestive system (as well as wallet and personal dignity) from heinous bacteria and germs, it is advisable to carry hand sanitizer, bottled water and tissues whenever sampling street food. The first one is to disinfect hands (not the food), the second one to substitute local drinks (bacteria can survive in ice cubes), and the last one is to wipe utensils and any spills.
When in doubt, go with boiled or fried dishes, especially those that are prepared per customer order, so they are guaranteed to be freshly made.
If the locals (who happen to be fellow humans) are eating without anyone throwing up or making funny faces, chances are the food is not only safe to eat, but also a delight.
Do not forget to snap some pictures for posterity (and evidence back home)!
Bon appétit!
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