Street food in China is really exciting when you are traveling or living there. You can find all sorts of things to eat like dumplings and noodles and skewers and pancakes. The options are endless. A lot of travelers worry about getting sick from food that they are not used to or from places that may not be clean. The good thing is that you can eat street food safely if you follow some rules and make good choices with street food.
1. Choose Busy Stalls with High Turnover of street food
When you are looking for street food try to find stalls with a lot of people waiting in line or a lot of customers coming and going for street food. These vendors are usually cooking street food all the time so the ingredients are fresh and not sitting out for long.
Why it matters: When street food is sold quickly it is less likely to go or get stale.
2. Watch the Cooking Process of street food
Always try to eat street food that is cooked in front of you at temperatures for street food. When street food is stir-fried or boiled or steamed or grilled it is usually safer because the heat kills most of the bacteria in street food.
Why it matters: Street food that is cooked fresh is less likely to have germs.
3. Avoid Undercooked Items in street food
Some street foods may have vegetables or meats that are not cooked enough but it is better to avoid these unless you are sure they are clean for street food. Things like salads or raw seafood or undercooked meat can make you sick from street food.
Why it matters: Raw street food is a cause of food poisoning.
4. Stick to Bottled or Boiled Water with street food
It is just as important to be careful with the water you drink as it is with the street food you eat. Do not drink tap water or ice that you do not know is safe for street food. Avoid drinks that may have water in street food.
Why it matters: Bad water can make you very sick when you are traveling and eating street food.
5. Start with Cooked, Simple Dishes of street food
If you are new to eating street food start with things like noodles or dumplings or fried rice or steamed buns for street food. These are usually safer than dishes with a lot of ingredients in street food.
Why it matters: Simple street food dishes have ingredients that can cause problems.
6. Pay Attention to Cleanliness of street food stalls
Look at how clean the street food stallsre. If the cooking surfaces are clean and the street food is stored properly and the vendor is clean these are signs that the street food’s safe.
Why it matters: Clean street food places have chance of making you sick.
7. Avoid Food That Has Been Sitting Out for street food
Street food that has been sitting out in the air for a time especially when it is hot outside can be bad for you. Try to eat street food that is made street food that has been sitting out under heat lamps or in open containers.
Why it matters: Bacteria can grow quickly in street food that’s warm and exposed.
8. Bring Basic Digestive Protection for street food
Even if you are careful your stomach may still get upset from street food. It is an idea to bring some medicine like anti-diarrheal tablets or probiotics when you are traveling and eating street food.
Why it matters: Being prepared can help you feel better if you get a little sick from street food.
9. Eat in Moderation at First with street food
Do not try new street foods all at once. Give your body a chance to get used to spices and oils and ingredients in street food.
Why it matters: Eating new street food at once can make you feel uncomfortable.
Eating street food in China can be safe and fun if you make choices with street food. If you choose street food stalls and avoid raw street food and pay attention to cleanliness and eat freshly cooked street food meals you can enjoy all the great flavors of Chinese street food without getting sick. With care and awareness street food can be one of the parts of your trip instead of something to worry about.
Chinese street food is really great. You should try street food. You can find street food everywhere, in China.
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