Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the main contender on the world map of street food. Open-air markets and stalls dish up plates to be eaten standing up in between haggling for knock-off designer bags or sitting (sweating) on plastic chairs.
What to eat: Thai green papaya salad; pad Thai (of course); brothy, beefy noodle dishes; fish balls and satay. Tip: the simplest dishes can also be the tastiest.
Where to find it: Start on Sukhumvit Soi 38, which has remained in favour with locals, despite being a favourite with visitors. It comes to life from about 5pm. Then try Soi Ari, Tha Phra Chang Pier and Victory Monument.
Los Angeles, United States
Mobile meals in LA can be found in big, badass American trucks on sidewalks and in parking lots. What to eat: American classics, old and new. Get your lips round slow-smoked Southern barbecue from Peaches’ Smokehouse & Southern Kitchen. Also check out Mexican treats, such as Homeboy’s chilaquiles, try Say Fish Tacos’, er, fish tacos, or blow your mind with a Jogasaki sushi burrito.
Where to find it: Helpfully, the trusty Roaming Hunger website (roaminghunger.com/la) maps out food truck locations whether you’re after breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late-night bite. Or plan your trip for June, in time for the LA Street Food Fest (lastreetfoodfest.com).
Kochi, India
Get yours from a thattukada – this overarching term covers roadside fast food joints that are either small, temporary or mobile. It was popularised by the Pai Brothers, renowned for their dosa. Thattukada are a cheap and tasty way to try authentic Keralan food.
What to eat: Thattukada favourites are spongy thattu dosas, like pancakes and served with chutneys, beef curries and Keralan roast beef with chapatti. You’re on India’s Spice Coast, so also think curries and seafood. Local fish dishes worth sampling are coconutty stew-like fish molly or a chilli-laced meen molagitta curry.
Where to find it: Step outside pretty much anywhere in the city after dark and you’ll find street food. MG Road is a hotspot.
Melbourne, Australia
Trucks, trucks, and more trucks. Did we mention trucks? Melbourne is the holy grail for discerning gluttons, so it makes sense that its street food is less rough and ready, more affordable decadence. What to eat: You can get almost anything you want from around the world at a street food truck in Melbs. Burgers made with prime Wagyu beef, fresh gumbos and curries, and Greek kalamaki (trans: street food) are all here. The Brûlée Cart – guess what it serves – is a good example of the breed.
Where to find it: Around Moreland and Darebin, plus along Somerville Road in Yarraville. Visit wherethetruck.at or download the Where The Truck iPhone app to keep track of trucks.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexicans call street food antojitos, which translates as ‘little cravings’, and Mexico City’s offerings have the chops to rival Bangkok when it comes to street-side eating.
What to eat: Pambazos, a Mexican sandwich made with white bread rolls soaked in chilli sauce; camotes (sweet potatoes) slathered with condensed milk, cream and berry marmalade; and tacos, real, genuine ones (not the rigid American-style ground-beef versions), with soft tortillas and filled with all kinds of different meats and fish.
Where to find it: Get initiated in Mercado San Juan, then head to the more working-class Arcos de Belém or around Metro Chilpancingo.
Getting there
Kochi, India: The Images of India tour from Virgin Holidays takes in some of southern India’s most remarkable destinations.
Melbourne, Australia: Virgin Holidays’ Australian Highlights tour visits cities and sights across the country over 16 days.
Mexico City, Mexico: The Treasures of Mexico tour from Virgin Holidays spans Mexico’s ancient and colonial past.
Visit virginholidays.co.uk for more information on these tours and where to stay in LA and Bangkok.
