Street food is one of the best ways to experience a countrys culture.
While these makeshift stalls might look risky, street food is often just as safeif not saferthan restaurants.
Ask any experienced adventurer.
Still, there are a few basic rules you should know to avoid any problems.
Wherever youre going, they have specialties you should learn about.
Hit up some local restaurants serving authentic cuisine.
Picture-based translation books likePoint Itcan help too.
People eat their meals at different times all over the world.
Here in the U.S., lunch usually takes place around noon.
You should be able to watch them make your food right then and there.
When in doubt, always go where the lines are the longest.
The locals know whats up.
They know the clean places that have the tastiest offerings.
A stall that has the elderly, women, and children in line is a good sign.
Scope Out the Open Kitchens
Street food stalls usually cook everything out in the open.
Basically, pay attention and find another stall if something seems amiss.
If a stall is selling a wide variety of foods, that means not everything is being prepared fresh.
Stuff will have been sitting around for longer.
Kepnes also suggests traveling with your own pair of personal chopsticks so youre always ready to dig in.
The water may be dirty, or contain bacteria your body isnt accustomed to.
Produce you cant peel (since it has probably been washed in local water).
If it doesnt have a natural wrapper, stay away.
Food that isnt fully cooked.
Sauces that look like theyve been sitting out all day and dont appear to get a lot of use.
These rules can vary depending on where youre traveling, of course, but theyre good to know anyway.
You may be an adventurous person, but nows not the time to show how brave you are.
Pray youll only get some indigestion and travel on.
