Tacos al Pastor, Mexico

Tacos al pastor are a delicious Mexican street food of marinated pork that is shaved from a spit and served in small corn tortillas. The pork is seasoned with chiles and spices and cooked on a vertical rotisserie, similar to doner kebab. Strips of the meat are shaved off to order and served in a tortilla, often with pineapple, cilantro, onions and salsa. Tacos al pastor are especially popular in central Mexico and they are considered one of the iconic street foods of Mexico City.

Okonomiyaki, Japan

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that is cooked on a griddle and filled with cabbage, meat or seafood and topped with a variety of sauces. The name means “cook what you like” in Japanese, indicating that the fillings can be customized. In Osaka, the okonomiyaki is mixed with ingredients before cooking, while in Hiroshima the ingredients are layered. Okonomiyaki is usually topped with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, dried bonito flakes and dried seaweed. It is a very popular street food all over Japan, especially in Osaka.

Churros, Spain and Latin America

Churros are a delicious fried-dough pastry popular in Spain and Latin America. They are made from choux pastry dough that is piped into long strips and fried until golden brown. Churros are often dusted with sugar and cinnamon and served with a thick chocolate dipping sauce for drizzling. They have a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior. Churros are a very popular street food, especially in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. They are perfect for a quick breakfast or snack on the go.

Crepes, France

Crepes are thin, delicate pancakes that are popular street food in France and other parts of Europe. They are made from a simple batter of flour, milk, and eggs and cooked on a griddle until lightly browned. Crepes can be topped with a variety of sweet and savory fillings, such as Nutella, fruit, whipped cream, ham, cheese or eggs. Crepe stands can be found along streets all over France, especially in Paris, Brittany and Normandy. No trip to France is complete without sampling a delicious crepe from a street vendor.

Falafel, Middle East

Falafel are fried orbs made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both. They are popular street food throughout the Middle East, especially in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. Falafel are usually served in flatbread such as pita, lafa or taboon, topped with ingredients like hummus, tahini, salad, pickled vegetables and chili sauce. Falafel have a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. They are high in protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates. Falafel are a staple of Middle Eastern street food and meze platters.

Pad Thai, Thailand

Pad Thai is Thailand’s most famous street food dish of stir-fried rice noodles. It is usually made with shrimp or chicken, eggs, tofu, garlic, chili peppers and peanuts. The ingredients are stir-fried in a wok with oil and seasoned with tamarind juice, fish sauce, sugar and lime. Pad Thai is usually garnished with lime wedges, bean sprouts, cilantro and crushed peanuts. It has a balance of sweet and sour flavors with a hint of spice. Pad Thai vendors can be found all over Thailand, cooking up fresh batches of this popular dish on mobile carts and food stalls.

Corn on the Cob, Latin America

Grilled corn on the cob coated in mayonnaise, cheese and chili powder is a popular street snack in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica and other parts of Latin America. The corn is grilled until the kernels are lightly charred and caramelized, then rolled in the coating of mayonnaise, crumbled cheese like cotija or fresco and chili powder. Some versions also add lime juice. The result is a messy but delicious snack, perfect for walking and eating. Corn on the cob can be found from street vendors, especially in the summer and fall.

Chili Crab, Singapore

Chili crab is a popular seafood dish from Singapore, consisting of crab stir-fried in a sweet and spicy chili sauce. The crabs are usually coated in a tomato and chili-based sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, ginger, eggs and ketchup or chili paste. Chili crab is commonly served with a side of bread to soak up the sauce. It is considered Singapore’s signature seafood dish and is popular at hawker centers, seafood restaurants and some street food stalls, especially in neighborhoods like Newton Circus. Chili crab is a must-try for any visitor to Singapore.