What does summer mean to you? No school? Well-earned time off work? Sunday BBQs and long afternoons in the beer garden? All of that makes us feel warm and fuzzy too, but the thing that really gets our juices flowing is the prospect of tasting delicious international flavours, al fresco. For the Quattro crew, eating outdoors, at festivals and in street-food stalls, immersed in the aromas and flavours of authentic global dishes, is summer’s most sublime treat.
We love wandering between stalls, slowing down every time we’re enraptured by a scent or a sound or even a friendly face, offering unique, delectable cuisine. From Banh Mi to Bubble Tea, you’ll find a taste of everywhere on your local high street.
Which street-food styles do you love most? Too much choice? Why not challenge yourself to try something new every time you go? We’ve put together some of our favourites, so slap on the factor 30 and get the gang down to your nearest street-food fest to indulge in sizzling summer flavours.
Bring on the Vietnamese Banh Mi
When the French left Vietnam after decades of colonial rule, they left a culinary legacy which has become deeply ingrained in the local food culture. Made with rice and wheat flour, Banh Mi is a flatter and crispier version of a baguette, filled with pork or chicken, and an exotic mix of herbs and pickles.
Jammin’ with Jamaican Jerk
Love chicken? This is a taste sensation. Locals will never reveal their top-secret recipe but all you need to know is that your wings are hot and fresh from a smoky jerk hut. We reckon there’s some allspice in the marinade, definitely chillies and ginger and maybe some spring onions too. What we do know is that the chicken marinades for hours, often overnight to absorb the flavours. It’s then grilled on a BBQ and served with rice and a cold beer.
Are you pulling my pork? Find Deep South flavours down the road
Those North Carolina folk take their BBQ seriously. In the home of slow-cooked meat, grilling sweet and smoky pork for so long that it starts to fall off the bone, is a local culinary tradition that has made its way, joyfully, across the Pond. Don’t forget the BBQ sauce and have a pile of napkins at the ready.
Chillin’ with a chilli crab
It’s been sold in street stalls in Singapore since the 1950s and it’s simply delicious. Spicy crustaceans, stir-fried in a sweet and sour tomato, egg and chilli sauce, served whole.
Bring me a South African Bunny Chow
A street snack like no other – this bready delight is flavoursome and filling. There’s no rabbit in this, don’t fear! It’s a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with chicken curry and it’s South Africa’s most famous street food for very good reasons.
So head on down to your local high street and enjoy every last moment of our favourite summer pastime – lunch, al fresco.