When you travel, one thing many people enjoy thinking about is trying new and exciting foods. Some people immediately think of high quality Michelin rated restaurants, or cozy pubs, or old family run diners, but there is one place that is often overlooked in planning: the street vendor. You’re probably thinking hotdogs and fried dough, but in Europe, while not necessarily healthier, the vendors in Europe are often selling food that you can’t get in restaurants, but is delicious nonetheless. You generally won’t find low grade hot dogs and fried dough. Many vendors have begun blending traditionally European foods with spices and techniques from other countries. Here are a couple examples of what you can expect while in Europe on your next vacation.
In a country like Germany, which has a long love affair with all things pork, you might be expecting sausage (wurst) and pretzels on every corner. While this is partially much true, there’s one style in particular that is worth trying. Currywurst is a sausage served on a plate with ketchup blended with curry powder, and paprika spices. Currywurst was invented by Herta Heuwer in 1949, after she obtained some seasoning and spices from British troops. It was soon a hit with the construction workers rebuilding the city of Berlin, and she was selling over 10,000 portions a week at her peak. It’s often served with pomme frites (French fries), and there are currently restaurants in the US that primarily sell the tasty German dish.
If you have ever been to Belgium, you may no longer be able to enjoy what many restaurants and companies call French fries. In major cities like Brussels, you will find stands everywhere selling delicious, fresh fries. What makes them stand out? First off, they use local potatoes that are never frozen or battered. You’d be surprised just how much of a difference this makes! Secondly, most of the stands opt for more flavorful oils to fry in, like peanut oil. Third, there are typically no less than 10 blended sauces, ranging from curry to strawberry, so make sure to try them all, and mix and match!
While in the Czech Republic, you are are likely come across a street food called “smazeny syr”. Don’t let the name stop you, like most street foods it’s simple and delicious. Imagine a soft piece of deep fried cheese served on a hamburger bun. Most locals eat this treat with tartar sauce, but ketchup is almost always available if that’s not your thing.
In many places in Italy, vendors sell (besides pizza) watermelons during the summer months. While it’s not a unique culinary blend of any kind, The idea of fresh watermelon from a street vendor on a hot summer day was too good to leave out.
In many cities in the UK, “Brit-Indie” food sells more on the streets than fish and chips. It typically consists of curry and yogurt sauces poured over meat, potatoes, rice and beans. It sounds similar to Indian food, and for the most part, it is, but there are certainly elements that have evolved over the years to give it a British twist. Not that you shouldn’t try the fish and chips. Next time you have a UK car rental, try driving to any of the coastal cities and check out how they differ with each other.
The long and short of it is simple. Don’t be afraid of what’s being served on the street, you may end up discovering some of the best food that Europe has to offer. Safe travels!
