Top 20 Street Snacks to Try Before You Die

Great street snacks are portable, bold, and deeply tied to place. This list of 20 snack legends will send you exploring alleys, markets, and carts. Each entry includes a brief tasting note and where to find it.

1–5

1. Pad Thai (Bangkok) — Stir-fried noodles with tamarind tang, peanuts, and lime.
2. Tacos al Pastor (Mexico City) — Pineapple-kissed spit-roasted pork folded into warm tortillas.
3. Gyoza (Tokyo street stalls) — Sizzling pan-fried dumplings with soy-vinegar dip.
4. Banh Mi (Hanoi) — Crisp baguette, pate, pickles, and savory protein — a colonial legacy reborn.
5. Churros (Madrid & Mexico) — Fried dough dusted in sugar and often dipped in chocolate.

6–10

6. Vada Pav (Mumbai) — Potato fritter sandwiched in a soft bun with chutneys.
7. Pastéis de Nata (Lisbon) — Flaky tart with caramelized custard top.
8. Stinky Tofu (Taipei) — Fermented tofu with a pungent aroma and surprising charm.
9. Suya (Lagos) — Spicy, peanut-spiced beef skewers grilled over coals.
10. Empanadas (Buenos Aires) — Hand pies bursting with savory fillings.

11–15

11. Takoyaki (Osaka) — Octopus-filled batter balls topped with mayo and bonit flakes.
12. Pav Bhaji (Mumbai) — Mashed vegetable curry with buttered bread.
13. Arepas (Caracas & Bogotá) — Corn pockets grilled and stuffed with cheese or meat.
14. Kebabs (Istanbul & beyond) — Marinated meats roasted and served in flatbreads.
15. Bubble Tea (Taipei-origin) — Cold tea with chewy tapioca pearls — endlessly customizable.

16–20

16. Choripán (Buenos Aires) — Charred chorizo tucked into crusty bread with chimichurri.
17. Jianbing (Beijing) — Savory crepe folded with crunchy wonton, egg, and hoisin.
18. Sweet Potato Fries (Global) — Often sold with spicy mayo — simple comfort food.
19. Fried Milk (China & Latin America variants) — Creamy center encased in a crisp shell.
20. Simit (Istanbul) — Sesame-encrusted ring perfect with tea for breakfast.

Closing Notes

This list celebrates the portable and the iconic. Whether you chase nostalgia or novelty, these snacks map a delicious, edible world. Take these suggestions as a starting point — the joy is in discovery and in shared bites with new friends.