Street Food Recipes From Around The World

The sounds and smell of food being prepared on the roadside forms the identity of many cities around the world. Street food is a reflection of a country’s food culture and is often steeped in heritage and stories. Making your own street food recipes is a fantastic way to evoke flavours from around the world, in an instant.


What kind of food is street food?

Street food can take any form, but it is usually quick to cook, cheap to make, and easy to eat (and hold) with just a few mouthfuls. Here are few classic street food dishes from around the world, along with the ingredients you need to make them.

5 street food ideas from around the world

1. Mexico has a huge history of incredible street food, with many recipes based around maize flour and corn: think tacos, gorditas (stuffed dumpling-style maize flour parcels), elotes (grilled sweetcorn in creamy chilli sauce with cheese), tamales (below), and crispy tostadas topped with fresh avocado, beans and cheese.
    How to make Mexican tamales

    Recipe: How to make Mexican tamales

    These steamed and wrapped tamales are filled with shredded beef, lamb or pork and flavoured with chilli, garlic and cumin. Cook them in a large steamer all together, then present at the table with a flourish.


    Naturelo Blue Masa Harina, 1kg

    This maize flour is made with an ancient variety of corn that has a distinctive blue colour. The kernels are soaked in lime water before they are ground, which gives the flour its flavour. It makes a darker dusky-blue coloured tamale dough.


    2. Indian street food recipes are varied and endlessly exciting! Some of the classic recipes include pani puri puffed breads stuffed with chaat masala and potatoes, aloo chaat spiced potato, samosas, and creamy lassi yoghurt drinks.
        Chana Masala Recipe

        Recipe: Chana Masala Recipe Chickpea Curry

        Find vendors with great tubs of spices and cooked chickpeas in cities across India, mixing their signature chana masala blends. Often served in little foil bowls with a fork, and best enjoyed straight out of the pan.


        Chaat Masala Mangal, 100g

        A wonderful mix of spices and salt, with a strong sharp sweet flavour from dried mango powder – use chat masala to flavour chana masala chickpeas, aloo chaat, or homemade samosa filling.


        3. Venezualan arepa breads are small unleavened pockets that can be fried, baked grilled or steamed. They can be stuffed with chicken, avocado or shredded beef.
            Arepas

            Recipe: How to make arepas

            These grilled cornflour buns are a simple mix of Harina Pan flour and water, simply made into a dough and rolled into small discs. Cook in a hot pan until golden brown, then stuff with your favourite filling.


            Harina PAN - White, 1kg

            Use Harina Pan to make arepas with a truly authentic texture and flavour. This is the most famous brand of maize flour in Venezuela, and can also be used to make empanadas – parcels of cornbread filled with spicy beef.


            4. Japanese okonomiyaki is perhaps one of the most recognisable Japanese street food recipes. Other popular dishes include takoyaki (fried doughnut-style dumplings, filled with octopus and ginger), and yakitori chicken skewers.
                Okonomiyaki

                Recipe: How to make Japanese okonomiyaki

                Literally meaning ‘as you like it’, okonomiyaki pancakes can be topped with any ingredient you like. The classic combination is spring onion, a criss-cross of Japanese mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce and bonito flakes.


                Okonomi Sauce, 300g

                A sweet-savoury sauce, with similar intensity to Worcestershire sauce. It’s a staple with okonomiyaki pancakes, but is often also served with takoyaki balls and is also fantastic with pork belly dishes.


                5. In Korea, street food is often served on a stick. You’ll find octopus on a stick, twisted potato spirals on a stick, hot dogs on sticks and meatballs - also on sticks! 
                    Korean octopus

                    Recipe: How to make Korean octopus on a stick 

                    Often these smoky grilled sticks of octopus are rolled in a huge vat of bonito flakes, then drizzled with okonomiyaki sauce and vinegared Gochujang.


                    Vinegared Gochujang, 300g

                    The addition of vinegar in the classic Korean hot chilli sauce creates a condiment with even more tang. It also loosens the sauce, and makes it slightly easier to pour.


                    For more global recipes, read our guide to the best noodle recipes from around the world or shop ingredients and food by cuisine.


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