Most times there will be a language barrier but this shouldn’t stop you from trying food carts. At first, we would move cautiously up to the food cart, looking at each other, whispering ‘do you think it’s safe to eat? What is that?’ and then point to something asking ‘how much?’ If you do ask how much, it may cause the street vendor to stop, think, and decide to tell you an inflated price.
We now confidently walk up to the cart, have a look, put two fingers up, nod, hold out some cash, and hope for change. Just pretend you know what you’re doing!
At times you will need to know how much something is. It helps if you learn how to say ‘how much?’ in the language of the country. The locals usually appreciate the effort you put in, and will smile, laugh at you (good-naturedly), and are always willing to help. It’s also a good idea to learn the basic words for ‘cow,’ ‘pig,’ and ‘chicken’ so that you kinda know what you’re going to get!
Eating at food carts has changed our way of traveling completely. Food at street carts are at a fraction of the price of restaurants, and it’s often nice to sit somewhere outside and eat a leg of chicken and sticky rice overlooking a rice field.
In Siem Reap, the first time we ordered street food. We were having a beer outside a restaurant when I watched the staff go outside and order some rice porridge off this boy. After 20 minutes of watching staff members from all of the Western restaurants come out, I knew I wanted it. If it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for me. And my wallet!There were lots of little ‘restaurants’ along the river in Hoi An. We received a menu with pictures which helped with ordering. The only problem was a lack of bathrooms, especially after one too many Saigon Beers!The fruit juices in Ho Chi Minh were delicious, fresh, and cheap! We were initially worried about the water quality of the ice in SE Asia, but Vietnam is known for its mass ice production due to the French occupation back in the day. We found it to be safe to consume.This woman would honk a horn and we would all come out of the dive shop ready to order some mystery meat that was deep fried. So good, and so mysterious.So good, and so cheap! We loved these noodles from a woman pushing a cart around Luang Prabang, so every night we would try to chase her down. Several times she eluded us and we couldn’t find her! That’s the problem with a roaming kitchen!
You might even get the chance to unintentionally eat a chicken foetus egg (a balut) like Lionel!
If we didn’t go traveling, Lionel would never have had the chance to eat a Balut, a chicken foetus egg. Complete with beak and feathers!
We have been in Thailand for about 9 months and the street food is the best. As you say people need not worry about the language just try most vendors are lovely people and happy to help.
This is really great information for all the travelers. You must write similar stuff for tourist Visiting Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Steve Cole http://www.gotourister.com/
2 Comments
Alan Cuthbertson
We have been in Thailand for about 9 months and the street food is the best. As you say people need not worry about the language just try most vendors are lovely people and happy to help.
steve cole
This is really great information for all the travelers. You must write similar stuff for tourist Visiting Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Steve Cole http://www.gotourister.com/