Last Updated on December 11, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

Many of you have been watching my videos where I am eating street food.  You’re wondering how to eat street food without getting sick. In this post, i’m sharing food safety tips to avoid getting sick while traveling.

First of all, I have gotten sick (twice!), but let me get to that later in the video, because I have more to share on that.  I wanted to share street food myth busters and food safety tips for how to eat street food without getting sick. Watch the video for more detail.

Why Food Safety Matters When Eating Street Food

Eating street food is one of the best ways to experience local culture and cuisine. However, food safety varies significantly across countries. In some regions, hygiene practices may be different, and factors like unfiltered tap water, food left out in the sun, or improper storage can lead to issues like food poisoning, traveler’s diarrhea, or even parasites.

The good news is that with a few precautions, you can enjoy street food safely. Here’s how to do it.

Video: Street Food Safety Tips: 14 Tips for Not Getting Sick While Traveling

17 Street Food Safety Tips to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

Here’s a list of food safety tips and guidelines set into memory before traveling.  There are Dos and Don’ts and  to help your gastronomic journey flow smoothly.

Street Food Safety Conditions to AVOID

Let’s start with the things to avoid in your street food safety choices. Yep, you’re in a country where you’ve learned travelers can get sick from drinking the tap water.

1.  Avoid Tap Water in All Forms

Steer clear of tap water in all its forms – drinking, ice cubes, even brushing teeth!

Invest in bottled water, but be wary of scams in some countries, like India where bottled water is sometimes re-sealed with glue. Consider portable UV filters or purification tablets for longer stays. UV filter devices treat and kill the bacteria before you ingest it. I recommend a SteriPEN Freedom (see my review), Lifestraw or boiling wand.

2.  Avoid Foods Washed in Tap Water

Raw salads or fruits washed in unfiltered water can carry bacteria. Instead, choose fruits you can peel, like bananas or oranges, or stick to cooked vegetables.

3. Avoid Ice from Unreliable Sources

Although food vendors in some countries are getting better about using filtered water in their cooking, you cannot assume all are like that.

In some countries, ice may be made with unfiltered water. Ask locals about “safe ice.” For example, in Thailand, tubular ice with a hole in the middle is generally safe as it’s made with filtered water.

Popular international chains like McDonalds, Subway and Starbucks tend to be safe as they come from international food safety regulations.

4. Skip Food That’s Exposed to Flies

Avoid street food stalls where food has been sitting out for hours, especially if it attracts flies. Choose stalls where food is cooked fresh and served hot.

5. Be Cautious with Meat

Avoid meat that’s been left unrefrigerated or exposed to the sun. If you eat meat, opt for freshly grilled or cooked options. Vegetarian dishes like lentil stews or bean curries are often safer alternatives.

Read Survival tips for Vegetarian Travelers

How to Eat Street Food Safely

6.  Don’t Let Your Guard Down.

Even the most experienced travelers get sick. It’s easy to get to feeling confident and relaxed with the destination, that you drop your guard, even when you see red flags.

You may see the street smoothie vendor washing cups without changing the dishwater in the wash bucket, yet it’s hot, humid, the smoothies look so refreshing and you decide to let it slip! At least he’s using soap to wash his cups, right?   It’s little-big mistakes like that which can land you with a bug in your belly that is not happy.

Look for clean clothes, gloves are ideal (though you won’t always find this in developing countries), and clean utensils and dish-washing practices.

7. Wash Your Hands

Always pack a bottle of hand sanitizer or eco-friendly biodegradable baby wipes to wash your hands before eating finger foods.

7. Pick Fruits and Vegetables You Can Peel

Fruits like oranges, pineapples, and bananas are great options. Carry a portable knife to peel or slice them safely.

Carry a portable knife or ask vendors to slice for you. Remember, even peeled fruits can be contaminated, so wash them with safe water if possible.

8. Choose Hot, Freshly Prepared Meals

Hot meals are less likely to harbor bacteria. Look for stalls that prepare food on the spot, like grilled skewers, stir-fries, or hot soups.

Pro-Tip: I do a pinky finger test and slyly dip my pinky into the food, especially soups!

9. Join Food Tours and Cooking Classes

Food tours and cooking classes are more than just delicious experiences. They offer cultural insights, hygiene awareness, and a chance to taste a variety of dishes without committing to a full meal. Plus, you’ll learn to navigate menus and identify safe options with confidence.

When I take food tours, local guides direct me to safe foods. In Nepal, many warned me against trying street food as refrigeration is not a common practice, so I joined a food tour, so I could safely try the local street foods and it was a deliciously informative experience.

With cooking classes, you learn about ingredients from a local household and learning to cook from a local can feel both meaningful and culturally enriching. Getyourguide  is a legitimate place to find good food tours and cooking classes.

See my food reviews

10. Eat the Local Yogurt

Yogurt is a traveler’s best friend. It’s packed with probiotics, good bacteria that boost gut health and fight traveler’s diarrhea. I like to eat the local yogurt– not the commercial stuff you get in grocery stores, but the mom-n-pop stuff made locally, because that’s rich in good bacteria that local stomachs use to battle bad bacteria.

Pro-Tip: Pack probiotic supplements as a backup. In countries- like Southeast Asia- probiotics are not cheap.

11  Have Vegetarian Preferences

Being a vegetarian, I don’t have to worry about undercooked or unrefrigerated meats, because I am seeking cooked veggies, soups, stew and beans. There are many must try vegetarian foods around the world.

In some countries, vegetarian diets are also seen as part of health or religious preferences, so consideration is given to preparation. However, not all countries understand what a vegetarian diet is. It is a privileged diet and it can pose its own challenges (Check out my tips for Vegetarian travelers). So it’s best to look for vegetarian foods and not  ask for anything “vegetarian” or you may get confused looks.

Food Safety Tips while Traveling: Always Observe

The great thing about street food is that you can see it being prepared in front of your eyes.  In some regard, eating street food can be as 50-50 safe as eating in a cafe… except a lot of local vendors don’t always practice good hygiene. But my point being, with street food, you can watch how they prepare your food.

12. Observe Vendor Hygiene

Watch how food is prepared. A reason I love eating street food is that I can see the ingredients going into the food and how fresh it is as its being prepared. As a vegetarian, this is more informative to me than a dish of mysterious ingredients arriving at my table.

Look for vendors who use clean utensils, wear gloves (not many do!), and maintain a tidy workspace. Do they rub their face while handling your food?… does the food look fresh?… how is it stored while work on the street?

Trust your instincts—if a stall looks unclean, move on.

Check out my vegetarian travel tips

13. Stick to Popular & Reputable Stalls

Follow the locals!  Crowds are a good sign. Stalls with high customer turnover are likely to serve fresh food, reducing the risk of contamination.

I like to look at whether mothers go to a food stall with their children. If they do, then it’s a safe vendor! Women cooking can also be more hygienic. Asking locals for their recommendations is good also.

14. Don’t Assume Restaurants Are Safer

Restaurants aren’t always better. Buffets, undercooked food, and reused ingredients can pose risks. Ask questions about food preparation to ensure safety.  In Thailand, I got sick off buffet food at a Chinese restaurant while on a day tour in Thailand.

How to Handle Getting Sick While Traveling

Even with the best precautions, getting sick can happen. Don’t panic—being prepared makes all the difference.

15. Health Preparedness: Pack a First-Aid Kit

Getting sick whilst traveling happens. Pack an essential first-aid kit with anti-diarrheals such as Immodium D,  Azithromicyn (see your travel doc for a prescription), Pepto Bismol, charcoal tablets. , hydration packets, probiotics and pain relievers. Know how to spot a local pharmacy.

In countries like India or Thailand, you can buy antibiotics like Cipro from local pharmacies without a prescription. If symptoms persist or worsen, visit a doctor or hospital immediately.

The first time I got sick in India, I discovered I was able to cope with getting sick while traveling solo, wasn’t bad. I took myself to the hospital in a taxi, took the meds, did a followup check up in Bangkok later. When the second time came around, I was like– I got this down! 

In the U.S., you need a prescription to buy Cipro, but in countries like India and Thailand, they might be dispensed by the local pharmacy.  If they don’t feel like they’re working or you feel weak and very unwell, take yourself immediately to the doctor or the local hospital.

Read how to deal with getting sick abroad

16.  Travel Insurance is Your Safety Net

Don’t underestimate the power of travel insurance. It can cover medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellations and unexpected accidents or even theft.  It’s worth the peace of mind when traveling abroad.

Choose a reputable plan that suits your needs and budget. I always use World Nomads trip insurance as it covers travel theft . SafetyWing is another affordable option but it doesn’t cover adventurous activities as well World Nomads. If you have other conditions, here’s a trip insurance finder tool  to find a plan that matches your budget and needs.

17. Go to the Hospital

If symptoms persist or worsen, visit a doctor or hospital immediately. I have been in and out hospitals in Thailand and India and do not hesitate the moment my body feels like its taking a down-turn. Here’s my experience going to the hospital in Thailand and in India.

Final Thoughts on Eating Street Food Safely

Street food is one of the most authentic and rewarding ways to experience a destination. By following these street food safety tips, you can enjoy local dishes while avoiding illness.

Do you have your own tips for staying safe while eating street food? Share them in the comments below!