One of the things we like to do when we travel is to try the local cuisine. But of course, if you travel with a limited budget you have to forget about luxury and restaurants of category ...
This does not mean that you are going to have to eat McDonald's or sandwiches every day, nor that you will eat badly and less healthy ... in fact, if you have planned a trip to Asia there is great news: eating good, beautiful and cheap is easy! Many of the main dishes of the continent cost € 1 or a little more ... yes, get ready to discover the magical world of street stalls! It is important that you do not have prejudices, street food is delicious and (almost always) hygienic.
But how to choose the site well? How to eat well without then screwing your leg down?
Here are some tips to enjoy Asian street food without suffering any disgust:
Asian food is, as a rule, more spicy than ours, so don't pretend to arrive and eat locally from the start. Get used to the flavors little by little and the first days alternate "western" food with Asian.
Why this advice? Because the first day of the trip Rober had the brilliant idea of ordering a beef redang, not spicy, the following, and from there he had a very close relationship with the toilet of the hostel.
Perfect, your body is already accustomed, now is the time to go out and explore the street stalls. The best indication is undoubtedly the people: if a street stall is full of premises, surely the food is good.
Why this advice? Because people are wise and if a position is full and there is still a queue of people waiting, it's worth it.
Do not expect him to wear gloves and a hat but he would have to clean the utensils and be careful with the ingredients.
Why this advice? Because if the cook while preparing you a pad thai caresses his dog is not a good sign
Well, if you see that there is a village of tze tze flies around the food, look elsewhere!
Why this advice? Just in case
Take special care that water and natural juices are bottled and that the cap is sealed. Although it is a problem that is becoming less and less (we have drunk liters and liters of natural juices), it never hurts to have some care (at least see the hygienic state of where the fruit is stored).
Why this advice? Because not every country in the world has the luck that you and I have to be able to turn on the tap and drink ... and I tried because of my beloved boyfriend, the tap water in Kuala Lumpur, I know what I'm talking about!
It would always be better to eat freshly cooked dishes, but if you order something fried from the counter, they will probably be fried again before giving it to you: the second pass in oil is to kill the bacteria ... I don't know what your thighs and michelines will say ...
Why this advice? Because whenever you can try to eat freshly prepared dishes!
Never eat fruit that is skinless since the ice they use to keep it fresh could be from tap water. This does not mean that you have to eat the skin of the fruit ... what you have to do is peel it yourself. So that later they say that the fruit is good!
Why this advice? Because they say it is wise, although the truth is that we ate on many occasions watermelon, pineapple and mango that were peeled and surrounded by ice and never felt bad!
The ingredients of the street stalls are fresh, but the more time passes the less they are ... so better to eat and have dinner early to enjoy the best and healthiest food!
Why this advice? Because the chicken is fresh at 12 am but at 4 pm out of the fridge, with 40 degrees and 80% humidity it is not so much…
There are two types of street stalls: those that prepare different meals, and those that specialize in a single dish. Both are good, but if you fancy a lot much eating bakso (noodle soup with meatballs) surely the cart that sells only this specialty will make a spectacular bakso.
Why this advice? Because for something it will be the house specialty, right?
It would be necessary to make a study on the ability of Asians to endure spicy ... learn to say in the local language "little spicy" or "not spicy". That you know that the "little spicy" of them causes the tongue-radioactive effect in our western palates.
Why this advice? Because you don't want to spend the days in the company of Delhi-belly
If you see that your neighbor has a very good looking dish, ask what it is and how it is. Also, with the excuse, you can start a conversation and make a new friend!
Why this advice? Because it is better to watch the dish live than to trust the menu
And above all ENJOY: Without a doubt, we have enjoyed the best meals of the trip in street bars, where most of our acquaintances probably would not even have approached. Take away your fears, use common sense, follow our advice and enjoy Asian dishes!
Why this advice? Because if!
Did you like our guide with cheap eating tips in Asia Or has it made you screw up?
