Eating on the Run

Europe

Poland

Pierogi are stuffed dumplings. They can be savory, spicy, or sweet. Among the common fillings are cheese, onions, ground meat, mushrooms, potatoes, and sauerkraut. Sweet versions include strawberries or blueberries.

Serbia

Burek sa sirom is phyllo pastry that is round or coil-shaped and filled with a mixture of eggs and cheese. The dough is prepared with flour, salt, and water and stretched into translucent sheets. These are stacked in a large tray, sprinkled with oil, and spread with cheese and egg filling.

Greece

Kontosouvl is a traditional dish. It includes large pieces of pork marinated in herbs and spices. Then the meat is skewered and slow-cooked on a rotisserie. The marinade is made with garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine. The meat is served in thick slices accompanied by pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and horiatiki salad.

Italy

Arancini al burro is a traditional snack from Sicily. These are stuffed rice balls coated with a crispy batter and deep-fried. The rice balls are stuffed with ham or prosciutto, bechamel sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

Panzerotti are crescent-shaped turnovers. They look like small calzones. The filling consists of tomatoes and mozzarella but can also include other ingredients like prosciutto, spinach, ricotta, and olives.

Spain

Rabas are fried squid originating from the Cantabrian coast. Sliced squid strips or rings are lightly battered and breaded, then deep-fried. They are either lightly seasoned with salt or drizzled with fresh lemon juice.

Portugal

Esperada is a traditional dish from the island of Madeira. Big pieces of marinated beef with salt and garlic are skewered on a bay leaf stick and then cooked over hot coals. These are served with thick, crusty bread.

Asia

Lebanon

Shawarma is meat marinated and roasted on a spit. The meat used can be lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, or a mix. The meat is slow roasted for hours and basted with its own juices.

India

Amritsari kulcha is a dish originating in the North Indian city of Amritsar. Flatbread is stuffed with potatoes, onions, cottage cheese, and spices. The bread is garnished with coriander seeds, cilantro, and red chili powder.

China

Jiaozi dumplings are pan-fried and called guotie. The dumplings are filled with minced pork, Chinese cabbage, scallions, ginger, rice wine, and sesame seed oil. Once filled, they are pan-fried. A small amount of liquid is added to the pan to keep them from sticking.

Siomay are steamed cone-shaped fish dumplings made with eggs, potatoes, cabbage, tofu, and bitter melon. They are steamed and, when ready, splashed with soy sauce and a drizzle of lime juice.

Vietnam

Banh mi is a popular Vietnamese variety of sandwiches made with baguettes. The sandwiches can be made with a variety of ingredients like cold cuts, French butter, fresh mayonnaise, liver pâté, cucumbers, cilantro, pickles, oyster sauce, and garlic.

Taiwan

Popcorn chicken consists of bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice wine, and spices. The pieces are coated in potato or corn starch and deep-fried. Usually prepared with boneless chicken thighs and seasoning like salt, pepper, and five-spice powder.

Africa

Karantika in Algiers and called caliente in Morocco. This is a traditional dish that is made with a smooth batter of chickpea flour, water, oil, salt, pepper, and eggs. Then baked until golden with a crispy crust and remaining creamy and custard-like inside.

Egypt

Taameya is an Egyptian variety of the Middle Eastern falafel. The fava bean mixture is flavored with leeks, onions, fresh coriander, parsley, and cumin. The fritters are coated with sesame seeds and then fried.

North America

Mexico

Quesabirria is a popular Mexican street food. Large tortillas are filled with birria-style cooked meat, usually beef, and lots of melted cheese. The tortillas are cooked until the cheese melts and the outside is crispy.

Gringas are prepared with flour tortillas filled with al pastor marinated pork, cheese, and pineapple slices. Onions, chili sauce, and coriander can be added. The tortilla is folded in half and eaten like a taco.

Cochinita pibil is a pork dish originating in Yucatan. Pork is marinated with annatto paste, orange juice, and garlic. Then it was slow-baked and shredded and served on tortillas.

South America

Argentina

Empanadas Argentinas are a group of traditional Argentinian pastries filled with various ingredients. The dough is made with wheat flour, rolled thin, and folded over a filling such as ground beef, onions, and spices.

Ecuador

Llapingachos (pictured above) are potato patties served with spicy peanut sauce. They are made with cheese and mashed potatoes, then flattened and cooked on a griddle until golden brown.

Brazil

Coxinha is a popular street food. These are crispy croquettes filled with chicken meat and cream cheese and shaped into chicken drumsticks. They are breaded and deep-fried.