4. Cheese Steak Sandwiches, the Amish, and Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
While some Americans may fight over how to prepare their pork ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers, none will dispute the way a cheese steak sandwich should be made. In fact, there seems to be only one way, and that way is the Philly way.
The Philly cheese steak sandwich is an icon of American comfort food and is best experienced in Philadelphia. Chopped steak meat with “the wiz,” served on a warm roll is how most people eat it, though there are toppings that can be enjoyed without ridicule from the local Philadelphians, like onions or peppers. The place to go for cheese steak is 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, where the debate over who makes the best cheese steak in the City of Brotherly Love (Geno’s or Pat’s) has been going on for decades. These two rival establishments are directly across from each other, which makes it easy for any hungry visitor to patronize both places in the same day, even the same lunch hour.
There are many places to find excellent street food in the United States, but one that stands out is the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. The origins of the market itself go back to the time of William Penn, though the site itself was once a train terminal for the Reading Railroad Company. Within the walls of this former train station are several food stalls that will certainly impress you. Yes, there’s a stall that serves the signature cheese steak, but you’ll also find many stalls offering Amish specialties like breads, ribs, cheese, and ice cream. The Amish specialties are worth the trip to this indoor market, since you’re not likely to find them in other parts of the country. Since they favor rural life and primarily choose to separate themselves from the non-Amish world, their presence and their goods—all handmade, made with local ingredients, and quite delicious—are a welcome site at the market.
5. Hawker Food and Hawker Centers in Singapore
Street food is at the heart of all things epicurean in Singapore, and eating it is the best way to experience the country via your palate. “Hawker” is the name given to the open-air stalls that provide street food, and they’re usually grouped together in food courts or centers. For those who tend to stay away from street food when traveling, hawker food is extremely trustworthy. The Singaporean government instituted a system of inspecting and grading (A through D) for cleanliness, and the grade must be displayed on the front of each stall. There are several hawker centers throughout Singapore, a tiny island country of only 259 square miles. Try the Chomp Chomp Food Centre near Fort Canning Park, a bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the visit. Or ask a native Singaporean for his or her favorite hawker court or center.
As you survey the offerings at the hawker food centers, you’ll notice that Malay, Chinese, Indian, some Indonesian, some Japanese, and even some Western influences can be found in many Singaporean foods. This is supremely evident in the noodle dishes: mee goreng (chilies, minced meat, potatoes, and bean sprouts in a light curry sauce), bee hoon goreng (fried eggs, sprouts, and onions), and char kway teow (clams, sausage, and egg) are but three of countless noodle dishes. Don’t forget to try the Hainanese chicken rice, Singapore’s signature dish, and beef or chicken satay.
Whether you’re visiting Paris, France or Paris, Kentucky, asking the locals to guide you to their favorite street fare is the best way to discover the local flavor.
