When traveling near or far, the best places to discover authentic local cuisine aren’t the five-star restaurants; they’re the food trucks and street vendors! Though many tend to avoid street food while on a trip to a unique city for fear of contracting food poisoning, some travelers choose to enjoy some of their destination’s street food culture.

Consuming street fare doesn’t have to be a condemnation to hours of food poisoning, though. With careful, observant practices, every traveler can take part in what makes a city’s food culture so vibrant and exciting!

Eat with the Locals

When it comes to avoiding the most dangerously prepared dishes, locals know where to go. When wandering the streets for something good to eat, take a close look at what the locals are eating. Locals can track down the best grub from the best vendors, so keeping an eye out for residents can help you find a safe and delicious meal.

If a line for a vendor is long, you may be tempted to join the crowd. However, the people that make up the queue can tell you even more about the authenticity and preparation of the food. Often, tourists look for the familiar rather than taking risks on unique dishes. Avoid tourist-filled lines as they usually connote foods that aren’t necessarily authentic.

If a queue is made of locals, you can trust the food is delicious, but is it safely prepared? Large adults used to consuming a particular dish may be more resilient to food poisoning. Families with small children, however, will go out of their way to eat meals that are safer for individuals with less-effective immune systems like kids, making these vendors a safe bet for those with little to no experience in the local cuisine.

Carry Clean Cutlery

You may receive peculiar looks but keeping clean cutlery with you at all times can ensure you enjoy the local street food culture while also avoiding foodborne illness. Carry a set of plastic or metal chopsticks or silverware to eat your food with, as vendors sometimes struggle to effectively clean the utensils they provide for customers.

If carrying your own utensils is too much, keep a disinfectant wipe package instead to wipe down cutlery that may be provided for you but looks somewhat dirty.

Avoid Contaminated Foods

Before traveling to your destination, be well-prepared with a list of foods to avoid while there, especially where water is highly contaminated. Consider how the water and vegetation in the area are connected to the foods you may be eating. Avoid shellfish or fish if the rivers or oceans are known for their pollution, for example.

Most often, visitors should refrain from eating volatile ingredients such as meat to avoid foodborne illness in areas where contamination is a problem.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Trip with FreedomPark Airport Valet Services

Your trip should be fun, exciting and relaxing. Keep travel stress at bay by traveling smart both in- and out-of-town. While you enjoy all the delicious foods your destination has to offer, let FreedomPark Airport Valet Services take care of your vehicle. We’ll shuttle your car to a safe off-site parking area so you can skip the busy airport lots. Contact us online or call 866-727-5339 to reserve your valet today!