New York Street Food

Bahn Xeo - crepes filled with seafood, meat and fresh bean sprouts

The street is the center of daily life in Southeast Asia.  If you truly want to partake in this daily carnival of the street, you need to be eating the street food.  Gadling gives you 5 reasons to eat more street food in Southeast Asia.

Cau Lao - a Vietnamese noodle dish with crispy wontons and pork

1) Because it’s cleaner than you think – Many vendors wake up while you’re still asleep to grab the freshest, tastiest ingredients at the local market. In addition, the vast majority of street food is cooked over an open flame or simmered in a boiling pot. This high heat kills any organism that’s likely to make you ill. Not to mention you get to watch with your own eyes as your food is prepared.

2) Because it’s the best on earth – Lots of countries have street food. But Southeast Asia has the best. The region’s unique blend of European, Indian and Chinese ingredients is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted: year-round supplies of straight-from-the-ocean seafood, colorful exotic produce and dizzying selection of spices combine to ensure a mouth-watering array of meals, snacks and desserts.

Fresh spring roll - steamed, not fried, filled with pork, sausage or shrimp

3) Because it’s a great way to meet locals – You don’t eat street food in Southeast Asia by yourself.  Typically you’re seated around a communal table. The closeness of street food encourages conversation.

4) Because it’s good for you – Southeast Asian street food is much more than deep-fried cuisine.  Cooks have been using healthy ingredients like “organic produce” and “locally-sourced” foodstuffs since the dawn of time.

Banh Mi filled with pate, pork and crisp veggies

5) Because it’s cheap – After gorging on fresh, delicious food – meals which would cost $20 or more at home – the bill is never more than $2-3 dollars.

We could all benefit from eating more street food. [Gadling]

Sweetened chilled soup with tapioca jellies, white bread and coconut milk broth

It’s a Taiwanese classic: steamed bun stuffed with your choice of lean, fat, half-lean/half-fat or any combination of lean and fat pork belly, then topped with pickled vegetables, powdered peanuts and cilantro.

This vendor has stands in Shida Night Market and Gongguan Night Market.

A Taiwanese gyro, if you will.

Panang Street Food

Budget Travel had readers submit their favorite food photos, and they created a slideshow which included some great-looking street food from around the world.  One of the best ways to experience any culture like a local is to sample the street food.  Just make sure to do your homework first. [Budget Travel]

Please send me your favorite street food photos, and I would be happy to post them with your comments.  Please send your photos and comments to villager421@gmail.com with “street food photos” in the subject.