Whenever I travel, culinary tourism is topmost on my list. However, I don't believe in overpriced food tours so what I commonly do is hit a local market or wander the streets, eating whatever is sold out of a cart, stall, food truck or any other mobile ways in which food is sold. To better understand the culture of a place and its eating habits, there's no better way than to eat the street (albeit with a few food poisoning mishaps).
When I came across this book, I knew I just had to add it into my collection of must-read food-related books. An avid traveler and foodie myself, this book covers many countries and its most famous food haunts where food is prepared with heart and soul by the locals.
Street food is one of the most amazing culinary success stories of the 21st century, defying globalization and the spread of multinational fast food franchises. Fresh, cheap, plentiful and varied, street food offers urban residents a cornucopia of choices. Food that was once obtainable only on roadsides are now available in major cities.
This book is organized geographically and is sumptuously illustrated. For several major cities in each region, the authors describe what the locals eat in the best and most established food markets. They suggest which trademark delicacies to try and selected recipes are featured to enable readers to re-create the dishes at home.
Personally, I believe that this book belongs on the shelf of everyone who craves an imaginative, original alternative to homogeneous fare. Bon appetit!
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