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Which international street food has the most interesting flavor combinations and why?

Missie Rawsthorn

When it comes to international street food, there are so many interesting flavor combinations to choose from. But if I had to pick just one that stands out to me, I would have to say that Indian street food takes the cake. There are a few reasons why I think this is true.

First of all, Indian cuisine is known for its bold and complex flavors. It's not uncommon for a single dish to have a dozen or more different spices and herbs in it, all working together to create a symphony of taste. When you combine these flavors in unique ways, you get some truly amazing street food.

One example of this is chaat, which is a kind of Indian street food that features a mix of crunchy, savory, and spicy ingredients. The base of chaat is made up of chickpeas, potatoes, and crispy fried dough, and then it's topped with tamarind chutney, chili powder, herbs, and yogurt. The end result is a dish that's bursting with different flavors and textures, from the tangy chutney to the crispy dough to the creamy yogurt.

Another example of Indian street food with interesting flavor combinations is dosa. This is a thin, crispy crepe made from rice flour and lentils, which is then stuffed with a spicy potato filling. But the magic of dosa is in the different chutneys and sauces that you can add to it. There's coconut chutney, which is sweet and nutty; tomato chutney, which is tangy and spicy; and sambar, which is a lentil-based vegetable soup that's spicy and warming. When you combine all these different elements together, you get a dish that's satisfying and bursting with different flavors.

Finally, I have to mention the amazing street food that you can find in Mumbai, which is known as the street food capital of India. One of my favorite dishes from Mumbai is pav bhaji, which is a kind of vegetable curry that's served with a soft bun. The curry itself is made from a mix of vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, and peas, which are simmered until they're soft and fragrant. Then it's mixed with a special blend of spices, which gives it a deep, smoky flavor. When you serve it with a warm, buttery bun, the flavors meld together in a truly delicious way.

Overall, I think Indian street food has the most interesting flavor combinations because of the way different spices, herbs, and ingredients are combined in unexpected ways. One dish might be spicy and tangy, while another might be sweet and nutty. But they all work together to create a culinary experience that you won't soon forget.