Street food is big news. And not just in Jamaica, Vietnam and Morocco, but right here in the UK too. Recent years have seen a number of street food events popping up around the capital and further afield, and now even supermarkets are offering up ready meals with a 'street food vibe'.
The London street food scene
Most street food is served from a van, cart or stall and this take-away style finger food places an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients cooked for maximum flavour. In fact many who create this style of artisan food take pride in using high quality ingredients and taking old dishes back to basics then adding new ingredients for improved flavour.
Starting up a street food company requires a small investment, low overheads and few restrictions, making it a popular choice for budding food entrepreneurs.
Since it's so popular, why not capture the essence of street food and bring it indoors to your own restaurant, bar or café?
Serve up some street food
Whether you'd like to plan a street food event as a one-off, or would like to add street food inspired dishes to your standard menu, follow some of these top tips to create the ultimate street food experience…
- Don't forget the décor. Subtle touches like lanterns, benches and Tibetan prayer flags can bring the outdoors indoors.
- Hire a tuk tuk. It doesn't have to go anywhere but certainly adds a talking point to proceedings. Failing this, a bicycle decorated with pretty wreaths should do the trick.
- Present it with pizazz. Meal trays or Bento Boxes can be a fun way to serve up your street food inspired food, and you can store them away for future events.
Bento Boxes can be a fun way to serve up your street food inspired food, and you can store them away for future events.
- Create a unique menu. This type of fare is inventive and pushes the boundaries, so do some research on the type of street food people like to eat, then use your creativity to put your own unique spin on it. Check out Ginger's Comfort Emporium for incredible ice cream flavour concoctions like salted caramel and peanut butter, Absinthe, Guinness, or cucumber, mint and honey.
- Provide some entertainment. Invite your own 'buskers' indoors to provide some bright and breezy music for your diners.
Now you've got the details down, it's time to serve up some delicious meatballs, pulled pork, curry, slices of pizza, gourmet burgers…or whatever street food takes your fancy really. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, why not dabble in uber-trendy Peruvian cuisine like the fish dish ceviche or indulge in the Spanish favourite, chocolate con churros?
Do you enjoy street food? What's your favourite street food inspired dish?
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