The Do’s and Don’t’s of Foreign Street Food

As most travelers know, the best foreign dishes are not found in the swanky high-class restaurants, but rather in the simple but masterful street vendor carts and stands. To find the tastiest and safest street food, there are a few guidelines that should be observed.

DO As The Locals Do

Who better to turn to than the people of the area when looking to spot all of the best grub? If you’re okay with ditching the flashy décor of the tourist traps, the locals can lead you to hidden wonders.

DON’T Take The Word of Cab Drivers or Tour Guides

In some parts of the world, taxi drivers and tour guides will dump you off at the typical tourist locations — and may even be paid to do so. Take their advice with a grain of salt.

DO Watch As Your Food Is Prepared

While most street food is safe, there are always the odd few vendors who cook in unsanitary ways, or carelessly undercook food. Watch the entire process before ordering your plate.

DON’T Eat Cold Foods

When it comes to street food, bacteria-killing heat is your best friend. Avoid eating food that has been sitting out for a while or was not cooked to begin with.

DO Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask the vendor all of the ingredients of the dish, where the food came from and what their cooking process is.

DON’T Binge On Unprocessed Street Foods

In the very likely event the food is completely safe, you still shouldn’t eat it for every meal. As foreigners, our stomachs are not accustomed to the different (safe) bacteria found in foreign foods.