Bucket List Foods: European Street Food
Updated: Jun 10, 2020
Good Morning!!!
While we can't travel right now, it doesn't mean that we can't dream about what we want to experience when we can. Here are 16 different street foods that are worth seeking out when you are in the country they are sold.
Würstel in Austria
Fancy a vienna in Vienna? You should! You won’t really find pizza vendors or burger stalls in Vienna. The traditional Viennese snack is sausage. Try the Käsekrainer – a fragrant pork sausage with a cheesy centre, or Frankfurter Würstel made of pork or beef.
Waffle in Belgium
I know, the whole world makes it by now, but there’s truly nothing like the real deal. Trust me, it’s called a Belgian waffle for a reason! Traditionally you have to eat it with your hand, so it’s super easy to get one on-the-go and munch it as you explore. The locals make them as you wait and offer anything from whipped cream to strawberries and ice cream as a topping or filling. Bonus point if you get one drizzled with some proper Belgian chocolate!
Ćevapi in Bosnia Herzegovina
Ćevapi is a hearty, warming dish. It consists of grilled sausages inside a flatbread with onions and sauce. The onions can be raw or fried. The sauce is normally cottage cheese or sour cream. Yum!
Banitsa in Bulgaria
Banitsa is practically one of Bulgaria’s national symbols. Easy to eat on the run, this traditional pie is made with homemade a homemade crust and cheese. It is normally filled with meat or spinach. Simple yet delicious!
Trdelnik in Czech Republic
Trdelnik is a type of cake-like pastry that is prepared on a spit. Rolled dough is wrapped around a stick, grilled and dusted with a mix of sugar, spice and sometimes walnuts. Get it while it’s hot!
Smørrebrød in Denmark
Smørrebrød are small, open-faced sandwiches that are traditionally served in Denmark as hors d’oeuvres. This normally consists of dense, dark buttered rye bread with toppings like cold meats, cheeses and smears. Give the vegetarian options a try as well.
Karjalanpiirakka in Finland
Kalakukko are hand pies made from rye flour filled with a rice porridge filling (sometimes mashed potato!). These savory pastries are from the Karelia region but can be found over Finland as well as in Estonia and Russia.
Crêpe in France
Having a piping hot crepe with a cup of coffee in France should be compulsory. Have the local crêpe-makers (that can be found at food stalls on basically every street corner) make it fresh and fill yours up with anything from Chocolate mascarpone cream to fresh fruit and lemon cream, or go for the savoury option – cheese and ham . It will have you in tears.
Pretzels in Germany
The warm, salty, freshly baked kind, naturally. Proper German pretzels are covered in a special pretzel solution before baking. This gives it its unique colour and taste. Have it with a bratwurst, mustard and an ice cold beer! Prost!
Souvlaki in Greece
Souvlaki is a tasty Greek fast food that consists of small pieces of meat (beef, chicken or lamb) and vegetables grilled on a skewer. Also served with grilled bread, or in a pita wrap with garnishes and sauces. Great to grab on the go and also very filling.
Margherita pizza in Italy
Pizza in Italy is a no-brainer. But did you know that only the Margherita and Marinara pizza are considered to be true Italian pizzas? The Margherita pizza was developed in honour of Queen Margherita in 1889. It is a salute to the colours of the Italian flag – green (basil), red (tomatoes) and white (mozzarella).
Bitterballen in the Netherlands
Amsterdam is pretty much the world’s street food capital. Get your hands on some bitterballen (best enjoyed with a nice, cold beer). Bitterballen are bite-sized savory snacks filled with a mixture of chopped beef, beef broth, flour, butter, herbs and spices. This is rolled in batter and breadcrumbs and deep fried. Add mustard for dipping to pump up the flavour.
Lefse in Norway
Norwegian potato-y flatbread of sorts. Made with potatoes, butter, flour and cream it tastes a bit different than just your average flatbread. How do you eat it? There is no wrong way! Traditionally it is served with meals as bread, but on its own it goes down great with butter and sprinkled with sugar.
Pastéis de nata in Portugal
Pastéis (singular: pastel) de nata are small cupcake with soft creamed-yolk centres, served warm from the oven and buried in cinnamon. Have it with an espresso of a bit of bagaço (Portuguese wine brandy).
Patatas Bravas in Spain
Patatas Bravas is a quintessential Spanish tapas option! It normally consists of flash-fried chunks of white potato served with warm, spicy tomato sauce.
Semla in Sweden
The Semla bun. Are you ready for this? Cardamom-spiced wheat bun of which the top part is cut of, and hollowed out to be filled with whipped cream and almond paste. If you’re lucky you will also be able to find a semmelwrap – flat rolled dough with the same filling, eaten as a wrap. Take note: One bun comes in at around 500 calories!
I hope you enjoyed today's post. Have you heard of any of these street foods? Have you tried some of them? I'd love to hear feedback on any other street foods that are must tries as well. Comment below any suggestions you may have :)
