street food

Street Food

A funny thing happened while on vacation. While I was walking, I could appreciate the various aromas of street vendors selling their specialty foods. If your a foodie, you can appreciate where I'm coming from. Barbeque flavor, steamed flavors, braised meats flavor and of course bakery flavors.
It's just irresistible. Well, the place was in Malaysia, my wife's family lives there. A buffet of exotic cuisine in a little stall. I was going nuts, so fresh and delicious. Let's just say it was the best deal in town, cheap and full of flavor. I could eat all night. My wife, even though she was raised in Malaysia was very choosey of who she bought things from. She rather eat in a regular restaurant and thinking that the food is cleaner! aaah, I have to disagree with her but let her believe what she wants to. I worked in my Uncle's restaurant in Chinatown, NYC. Need I say more.
 but the fascination of street food will give you a culture lesson in eating what everyday people eat, simple, taste good, not elaborate in presentation, if your lucky its served on a banana leaf. So much to chose from, oddles and oddles of food varieties. and the best part, the food is made in front of you. How can you go wrong?
Ok, maybe the Department of Health might have a field day, but just think of it, fresh food and high turnover of food. It's not like the food has been sitting around all day!
Now back in the states, the Department of Health is king, full compliance of every conceivable germ or bacteria statute.
But I feel that if a merchant has a product that is liked by everyone and there is high turnover of ingredients and always selling from dusk to dawn, I may have an argument. The bacteria doesn't come from the retail side, but mainly from the manufacturer, distributor.
Going to a restaurant these days is the same ole menu, with the same ole specials, overcooked with tons of cheese and microwaved. Getting tired of it.
That's why when there is a restaurant, that doesn't fall into any of the categories I mentioned, I rave about them.
We need more authentic Latin food, Caribbean food, Non American Chinese food, East European food and real Italian food.
Cooking classes will turn into small bistros. There are grandmas and mom's that can cook up a feast that you'll love forever. Give them a cart and let them cook what they love most and make some money on the side. People will pay for good natural authentic food!
Don't you agree?

By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com
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