Some travellers prefer to sit down in a restaurant for a bite to eat rather than mix with the locals on the street. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little air-conditioning, but you would be wrong to assume that the meal is healthier or fresher because it’s prepared in a “proper” kitchen.
How can you eat street food without getting sick?
First, you really don’t know what’s going on in that kitchen, because you can’t see inside. Street food allows you to see the fresh ingredients being prepared directly in front of you. Mostly since street foods are deep-fried, stir-fried, or barbecued over very high heat, it’s likely that any ‘gogo’s or bugs’ have moved on.
Tips for ordering Street Food:
- Pick the vendor where the locals eat (they will NOT support the expensive or dodge food vendor)
- Pick the busy vendor (sometimes a queue is good)
- Eat at local mealtimes
- Watch the local kids. Eat were they eating?
- Stay away from pre-cooked meals (prepared in front of you is always best)
- Transparent Chefs are the best. The chef who preps everything in front of you has less to hide!
- If it consists of too much water such as ice, shakes or even cocktails, be careful or avoid.
- If you are worried, remember that fruit with a skin you peel is always safer than fruit with a peel you eat.
- If you buy a cold drink or bottled water, make sure it is properly sealed.
What to do if your street food adventure goes wrong?
My go-to is Activated Charcoal Pills (great for hangovers, removing toxins, neutralising poisonings, intestinal gas, and even insect bites or skin infections)
