ExploFood around the world
Street food around the world
140 dishes from 113 countries, grouped by continent.
Africa
- KarantikaAlgeriaBaked chickpea-flour flan, cut into squares
- MahdjoubaAlgeriaFolded semolina flatbread stuffed with a tomato and onion sauce
- AkaraBeninDeep-fried fritters of black-eyed pea batter
- MagwinyaBotswanaDeep-fried dough balls, plain or filled
- Puff-puffCameroonFried balls of sweet yeasted dough
- PastelCape VerdeFried pastry with a spicy tuna filling
- MakaraCentral African RepublicFried balls of sweet yeasted dough
- SambusaComorosFried triangular pastry filled with spiced minced meat
- SambusaDjiboutiFried triangular pastry filled with spiced minced meat
- KosharyEgyptRice, lentils and macaroni with spiced tomato sauce, chickpeas and fried onions
- Ta'ameyaEgyptEgyptian falafel made with fava beans instead of chickpeas, green with herbs
- AllocoIvory CoastRipe plantain cubes fried in palm oil, with chilli and onion
- Dholl puriMauritiusThin flatbread stuffed with ground split peas, rolled around bean curry and chutney
- ChamuçasMozambiqueTriangular fried pastries filled with spiced minced meat or fish
- BoereworsNamibiaCoiled, coriander-spiced beef and pork sausage grilled over coals
- BrochettesNigerSkewers of spiced, grilled beef or mutton dusted with chilli-peanut powder
- SuyaNigeriaThin beef skewers rubbed with a spicy ground-peanut mix and grilled
- AkaraSierra LeoneFried fritters of black-eyed peas or rice flour and banana
- Bunny chowSouth AfricaHollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry
- TamiaSudanDeep-fried chickpea fritters seasoned with herbs and spices
- Chipsi mayaiTanzaniaFrench fries cooked into an omelette, served with ketchup and chilli
- AyimolouTogoRice and beans cooked together, served with pepper sauce
- BrikTunisiaCrisp fried pastry filled with egg, tuna, capers and parsley
- RolexUgandaOmelette with cabbage, tomato and onion rolled up in a chapati
- KikomandoUgandaChopped chapati mixed with stewed beans
Asia
- BolaniAfghanistanThin flatbread stuffed with potato, leek or pumpkin and pan-fried
- Chapli kebabAfghanistanFlat, spiced minced beef patty shallow-fried in fat
- QutabAzerbaijanThin folded flatbread filled with fresh herbs, pumpkin or minced meat
- FuchkaBangladeshCrisp hollow puris filled with spiced potato, chickpeas and tamarind water
- MomoBhutanSteamed dumplings filled with beef, pork or cheese and cabbage
- Nasi katokBruneiPlain rice with fried chicken and sambal, wrapped in paper
- SatayBruneiGrilled skewers of marinated chicken or beef with peanut sauce
- XiaolongbaoChinaSteamed pork dumplings filled with hot soup
- JiaoziChinaBoiled or pan-fried dumplings, usually filled with pork and cabbage
- Pani puriIndiaHollow fried shells filled with potato, chickpeas and tangy spiced water
- SateIndonesiaSkewers of chicken, goat or beef grilled over charcoal with peanut or soy sauce
- KubbaIraqShells of bulgur or rice filled with spiced minced meat, fried or boiled
- FalafelIsraelDeep-fried chickpea balls served in pita with salads, tahini and pickles
- SabichIsraelPita stuffed with fried aubergine, hard-boiled egg, salad, tahini and amba
- Jerusalem mixed grillIsraelChicken hearts, livers and spleen fried with onion and spices, served in pita
- OkonomiyakiJapanSavoury cabbage pancake grilled on a hotplate, topped with sauce and mayonnaise
- TakoyakiJapanBatter balls with octopus pieces, topped with sauce, mayo and bonito flakes
- FalafelJordanFried chickpea balls served in bread with hummus, tomatoes and pickles
- Tam mak hoongLaosShredded green papaya pounded with chilli, lime and fermented fish sauce
- ShawarmaLebanonSpit-roasted sliced chicken or beef wrapped in thin bread with garlic sauce and pickles
- Pork chop bunMacauBone-in marinated pork chop in a crusty bun
- Char kway teowMalaysiaFlat rice noodles wok-fried with prawns, cockles, egg, bean sprouts and soy
- SatayMalaysiaSkewers of grilled marinated chicken or beef with peanut sauce
- KhuushuurMongoliaFlat fried pastries stuffed with minced mutton
- Nan gyi thokeMyanmarThick rice noodles mixed with chicken curry, chickpea flour and fried onion
- MomoNepalSteamed or fried dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken or vegetables
- Injo-gogi-bapNorth KoreaRice wrapped in sheets of soybean 'artificial meat' with chilli sauce
- Chapli kebabPakistanFlat, crisp-edged minced beef patty with spices, tomato and pomegranate seeds
- FalafelPalestineFried balls of ground chickpeas and herbs, stuffed in bread with salad
- MutabbaqSaudi ArabiaThin folded pastry stuffed with minced meat, egg and leek, fried on a griddle
- Char kway teowSingaporeFlat rice noodles wok-fried with dark soy, egg, cockles and Chinese sausage
- TteokbokkiSouth KoreaChewy rice cakes simmered in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce with fish cakes
- KottuSri LankaChopped flatbread stir-fried on a griddle with egg, vegetables, meat and curry gravy
- ShawarmaSyriaThin slices of marinated meat from a rotating spit, wrapped in bread
- Oyster omeletteTaiwanSmall oysters in egg and sweet-potato starch batter, topped with a sweet red sauce
- Stinky tofuTaiwanFermented tofu, deep-fried or stewed, with a pungent smell and mild taste
- SambusaTajikistanBaked pastry filled with minced lamb and onions
- Pad thaiThailandStir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, shrimp, peanuts and tamarind
- Som tamThailandPounded green papaya salad with lime, chilli, fish sauce and peanuts
- SateTimor-LesteGrilled skewers of chicken or goat with peanut sauce
- Döner kebabTürkiyeMeat roasted on a vertical spit, shaved thin and served in bread or on a plate
- LahmacunTürkiyeThin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, baked in a stone oven
- SomsaTurkmenistanBaked pastry with minced meat and onion
- ShawarmaUnited Arab EmiratesSpit-roasted meat shaved into flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles
- SamsaUzbekistanFlaky pastry filled with lamb and onion, baked against a tandoor wall
- Banh miVietnamCrisp baguette filled with pâté, cold cuts, pickles, herbs and chilli
- MutabbaqYemenThin pan-fried dough stuffed with egg, minced meat and onion
Europe
- ByrekAlbaniaFlaky filo pie usually filled with cheese, spinach or leeks
- KäsekrainerAustriaSmoked pork sausage with small cubes of cheese inside
- Belgian friesBelgiumThick-cut potatoes fried twice, traditionally in beef fat
- ĆevapiBosnia and HerzegovinaSmall grilled minced meat sausages in somun flatbread with raw onion
- BurekBosnia and HerzegovinaSpiral of thin pastry filled with minced meat
- KebapcheBulgariaGrilled, cumin-spiced minced meat sausage without a casing
- ĆevapiCroatiaSmall grilled minced-meat sausages served in flatbread with onion
- SouvlakiCyprusGrilled pork skewers in a pitta with salad, lemon and tahini
- Smažený sýrCzechiaBreaded, fried slab of cheese, usually Edam
- Rød pølseDenmarkBright red boiled sausage served with mustard, ketchup and fried onions
- CrêpeFranceThin pancake filled with sugar, chocolate, jam or other sweet fillings
- BratwurstGermanyGrilled pork sausage served in a bread roll with mustard
- CurrywurstGermanySliced pork sausage covered in curry ketchup and curry powder
- SouvlakiGreeceGrilled pork or chicken skewers, often wrapped in pita with tzatziki
- GyrosGreeceMeat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, shaved into pita with tomato, onion and chips
- LángosHungaryDeep-fried flatbread topped with sour cream, grated cheese and garlic
- AranciniItalyFried breaded rice balls filled with ragù, peas and cheese
- BurekKosovoFlaky pastry filled with minced meat, cheese or spinach
- LeberkäseLiechtensteinBaked loaf of finely ground pork and beef, sliced thick and served warm
- KibinaiLithuaniaCrescent pastries filled with mutton or other meat, from the Karaim community
- GromperekichelcherLuxembourgCrisp fried patties of grated potato, onion and parsley
- PastizziMaltaFlaky diamond-shaped pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas
- MititeiMoldovaGrilled skinless rolls of minced meat seasoned with garlic and spices
- SoccaMonacoThin, crisp chickpea-flour pancake baked in a hot oven and peppered
- PissaladièreMonacoFlatbread topped with slow-cooked onions, anchovies and black olives
- Pan bagnatMonacoRound bread roll soaked in olive oil, filled with tuna, egg, olives and raw vegetables
- ĆevapiMontenegroSmall grilled rolls of minced meat served in flatbread with onion
- Hollandse nieuweNetherlandsRaw, lightly brined herring eaten with chopped onion and pickles
- ZapiekankaPolandHalf a baguette topped with mushrooms and melted cheese, with ketchup
- BifanaPortugalGarlic-marinated pork cutlet in a soft bread roll
- MiciRomaniaSkinless grilled rolls of minced beef, lamb and pork with garlic
- PiadinaSan MarinoThin flatbread filled with ham, soft cheese and greens
- PljeskavicaSerbiaLarge grilled patty of spiced minced meat, served in flatbread
- ĆevapiSerbiaSmall grilled minced-meat sausages served with onions and flatbread
- LokšeSlovakiaThin potato pancakes filled with goose fat, jam or poppy seed
- Fish and chipsUnited KingdomBattered fried cod or haddock with thick-cut chips
North America
- Fish cakesBarbadosFried saltfish and flour fritters seasoned with herbs and Scotch bonnet
- GarnachesBelizeCrisp fried tortillas topped with refried beans, cheese and cabbage
- SalbutesBelizePuffy fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken, cabbage and tomato
- PoutineCanadaFries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy
- CevicheCosta RicaRaw white fish cured in lime with onion, sweet pepper and coriander
- ChimiDominican RepublicBurger of spiced ground meat with cabbage and pink sauce in a soft bun
- PupusaEl SalvadorThick corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans or pork and griddled
- Yuca con chicharrónEl SalvadorBoiled or fried cassava topped with crispy pork, curtido and tomato sauce
- BaleadaHondurasThick flour tortilla folded over refried beans, crumbled cheese and cream
- Jerk chickenJamaicaChicken or pork rubbed with allspice and Scotch bonnet, smoked over pimento wood
- Tacos al pastorMexicoSpit-roasted marinated pork shaved onto corn tortillas with pineapple
- TamalesMexicoCorn dough with a filling, wrapped in corn husk or banana leaf and steamed
- VigorónNicaraguaBoiled yuca topped with crunchy pork rinds and cabbage salad, served on a banana leaf
- CevichePanamaRaw corvina fish cured in lime juice with onion and chilli
- RotiSaint LuciaSoft flatbread wrapped around curried chicken, goat or chickpeas and potato
- DoublesTrinidad and TobagoTwo pieces of fried flatbread filled with curried chickpeas and sauces
- Bake and sharkTrinidad and TobagoFried shark fillet in a puffy fried bread, loaded with sauces and salad
- Hot dogUnited StatesGrilled or boiled sausage in a soft bun with mustard and toppings
Oceania
- Meat pieAustraliaHand-sized pastry pie filled with minced beef and gravy
- Sausage sizzleAustraliaGrilled sausage on a slice of white bread with onions and sauce
- Fish and chipsNew ZealandBattered fish such as snapper or tarakihi with thick-cut chips
South America
- EmpanadasArgentinaBaked or fried pastry turnovers filled with beef, chicken, ham and cheese or corn
- ChoripánArgentinaGrilled chorizo sausage in crusty bread with chimichurri
- SalteñaBoliviaBaked pastry filled with a juicy, slightly sweet beef or chicken stew
- CoxinhaBrazilTeardrop-shaped fried dough filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese
- Empanada de pinoChileBaked pastry filled with minced beef, onion, egg and an olive
- CompletoChileHot dog loaded with avocado, tomato and mayonnaise
- EmpanadaColombiaCrisp fried corn turnover filled with potato and meat
- AnticuchosPeruGrilled skewers of marinated beef heart
- ChivitoUruguaySteak sandwich stacked with ham, cheese, egg, bacon and salad
- ArepaVenezuelaGrilled corn cake split and stuffed with cheese, meat, beans or avocado
- CachapaVenezuelaSweet fresh-corn pancake folded over soft white cheese
More food lists
Questions
Which countries have the most street food on this list?
Israel (3), Monaco (3) and Greece (2). Each country has up to five dishes in the Explo app, so this counts the ones that made its shortlist, not everything it cooks.
What street food should I try first?
Arancini in Italy, Crêpe in France, Souvlaki in Greece and Bifana in Portugal are good places to start: fried breaded rice balls filled with ragù, peas and cheese.
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app. Recipes and names vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
Keep exploring
Practical · 3 min readEat your way through a country: how to find the national dishesFood is the fastest way into a place. How to find a country's signature dishes, order them well, eat safely and keep a record of what you have tried.
Planning · 4 min readHow to build a travel bucket list you'll actually useTurn a long wish list into a short plan: sort places by ease, season and effort, pick your next three, and keep the list alive after every trip.
Planning · 4 min readHow to choose the best time to visit anywhereWeather is only one part of it. Learn how to weigh seasons, crowds, prices and events, with real examples of the best months for popular destinations.- Country guidesCountry guidesBest months, weather, holidays and plugs for every country.
- Free toolWhere can I go?Every country your passport opens, sorted by how easy it is.
Keep every dish you try on one map
Explo is a free app: light up the countries you have visited, keep the dishes you have tried, and check visa rules, weather and holidays before you go.
Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app. Recipes and names vary by region.