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It’s the blight of celebrity life. You will be denied some simple pleasures and wishes of life. Sometimes money and power can not get you the flimsiest things around which others enjoy without any hitch. The US Secretary of the State Hillary Clinton had such an experience when she visited Mumbai, the business capital of India, in July last.

She wished to have chicken kabab from Bade Miya, a street side eatery. But she couldn’t have the luxury of a Bade Miya Kabab of less than one Greenback, thanks to the security reasons.

But, what had made Hillary Clinton wish for a bite from Bade Miya’s open grill in an overcrowded gully behind the Mumbai Taj? None other than the mouth-to-mouth publicity the street stall received from its fan club of satisfied customers. The seventy year old street kabab brand have gained dedicated admirers from top-notch politicians to film stars of the ilk of Amitabh Bachchan who overlook the not-so-welcome ambience of the crowded street to have the smoky succulent kababs. Because they know very well that the same bursting piquant flavour of those seekh kababs and baida rotis cannot be had anywhere else.

That is the thing about street food. You won’t get those things anywhere else. And there is more to the street food than the taste, flavour or excitement that goes with the open uninhibited atmosphere. Streets are the place to find the most vibrant and exciting of local fares anywhere in the world. The food you get there reflect the culture and culinary traditions of the region. It is only a fraction, yet a decisive one, with a pot-full of varied snacks and quick meals. The only thing that may be lacking is the ambience which makes the eating experience classy or otherwise.

Dare to taste!

Street food is a perfect option for the travellers who look for diverse yet inexpensive local tastes. Though there may be ‘safe’ options like hot dogs, burgers, crepes and Italian pizza, nothing can beat the true street food variety which offers you the truly regional yet tasty choices. Of course you get a lot of advice on the precautions you should take with regard to food when you are out on a trip. Most often they get you paranoid to the extent that you totally shun the local food. But a place and its cuisine are inseparable and those who love to experience destinations through local cuisines will sure be daring enough to flout the food-on-travel dictums and try those street food wonders.

With nothing of the chic equipments that come handy to the chefs of modern kitchens, street cooks create magic with little more than a cart, a griddle and a mortar or deep-fryer. It is impossible to replicate the simple, yet, exotic flavours and tastes that the cook of a particular place creates with his flair and instinctive use of locally procured ingredients. Their unique flavour and taste are often not to be obtained from even the most expensive restaurants.

The world in a street

But the street food terrain is not all the same everywhere in the world. While there are some really great places which have exotic street food as one of their assets, there are others, which are not known for their street food scene. Almost all major European cities with the exception of London have street food taking upon a key role in their food scenario. The ‘budget eats’ and the not-so-high-priced fare that give you a taste of local cuisine, are among their local secrets. The currywurst of Berlin which even has a museum of its own, crêpes and poisson cru from the roulottes on the waterfront in Pape’ete, the Copenhagen open-faced rye-bread sandwiches or tasty fish cakes with various toppings are only a few of the worthy picks. But it is in Asia where the street food gets really exotic, with India, Thailand and Vietnam as its chief protagonists.

Every state or city of India produces its own unique, typical genre of food, a share of which is available on its street. The unique flavours of Bhelpuri, Pani puri, Aalu Bonda, Aalu Tikki, Sevpuri, Bhutta, Aalu chaat, Tikki, Vada Pav, Raj Kachori, Pakoras, lassis and the various chaats, dosas or fries of their respective homelands are difficult to reproduce elsewhere. It is so even with the ubiquitous kababs. You won’t get the taste of seekh kababs of Bade Miya of Mumbai or the Kathi kababs of Lucknow anywhere else. Items vary so much as to suit every sort of mood and purpose of the customers. They are prepared right there in front of your eyes and you can even ask for more spice or more tanginess. Apart from these regional street food items which are reflective of cultural ethos of particular regions, different varieties of omelettes, fries and parathas are also available all over the country at minimal prices.

As for Thai and Vietnamese food, the best of them are not to be found in the five star hotels but on the streets as discovered by renowned chefs and laymen alike. A visit to either of these countries will not be complete without a taste of their street food. In Thailand, the scene is dynamic with vendors selling everything from fresh fruits, banana fries, salads and marinated meat sticks grilled over charcoal to a variety of soups, noodle dishes, curries, rice (most of which are smeared with mayo or fish sauce) and oyster (or shrimp) omelettes. The variety is astounding with even insects transforming themselves into delectable snacks!

There is nothing better than Pho Bo, the iconic beef noodles, to represent the rich Vietnamese street food scene. Close on the heels comes the banh mi, an out-and-out Vietnamese dish despite its colonial French exterior. This classic Vietnamese sandwich of grilled pork and pickled vegetables encased in a French baguette which has turned many first-time takers into life-long lovers, is the best thing you can have for a low price. The Cha Gio, a spring roll wrapped in rice paper, is another such delicacy that is closely associated with the country.

There are many more exotic places known for their great street food if you wish to name them. In Istanbul, the most vibrant of Turkish cities, you will find streets overflowing with vendors pushing food carts peddling an immense variety of food items. Then there is Zanzibar, named as spicy as the land itself, a seafood-lover’s paradise. With Macau (China), Manila, Singapore and Malaysia the list gets longer.

Faster and healthier (than fast-food)?

This vivid street food picture had lost its colour and sheen for a while by the explosion of fast-food courts and the demand for clean, hygienic fare. But now it seems to be on a come back ride with makeovers and street food festivals catering for all those who were wary of health hazards and so missed the gastronomic treats served on the streets. It is increasingly recognized as an expression of cultural identity and many countries are planning to turn their street-food fare into tourist attractions, making it an essential part of the travel experience.

So, have a taste of the cart magic around the world, there are umpteen numbers of yummy eatables to discover all over there. And it is sure to be a taste that cannot be found elsewhere since it is the very essence and flavour of that place.

Street food jamboree

Delhi, the host of 2010 Commonwealth Games is all set to display the whopping range of Indian street food wonders during the fete. The amazing range of street-food will be the attraction of the main menu. Concerns for cleanliness is to be well-cared for with the authorities gearing up to make these snacks stored and laid out in clean, hot and cold cases with an official stamp of hygiene. The government is also making plans to give licenses to vendors for these carts and take responsibility for monitoring hygiene standards. So, the stars like crispy hot samosas, spicy kachauris, melt-in-the-mouth gulab jamuns and chaats will all be there to entice the guests to the city. But there is one glitch; the food is not to be prepared in the typical street food style, on the spot. They will be pre-cooked.

US cities join the cart-food wagon

American cities, the crown patrons of McDonald’s, KFC and other fast food joints, were not the places to find good street food till recently. But it seems that the street-food revival fever that is raging over the rest of the world has taken over these cities too. No more does the word ‘street food’ mean the hot dog-pretzel stands, or the Mexican foodstuff like elotes, churros and tamales that were sold illegally. A whole new breed of food trucks has hit the streets of New York offering items as varied as Asian dumplings and Austrian schnitzel, and a whole new generation of multi ethnic food from around the world. The new entrants have earned enough loyal customers so as to get formal recognition from New York's food establishment in the form of an award called the Vendy, which honors the best street food in the city. The multi ethnic food that you get from these carts rivals that of many of the Indian restaurants or the sit-down restaurants in the area, it is said. Other cities like San Francisco too have joined by organizing street-food festivals on a regular basis.

 

© travelbird