By Lucas Clasen
When studying abroad, I always find street vendors and street markets to be a highlight of the trip. Street stores are a great way to eat and buy authentic local foods and products and are a fun way to entertain yourself for several hours. Since my study abroad experiences have been exclusive to Asia, I am sure that street vendors would be different in Africa or Europe, but my suggestions will hopefully help you navigate and enjoy street markets while studying abroad.
I would first recommend that anyone travelling abroad take a day or two to explore local street markets, as they are usually cheap and can give a sense of how locals live day to day. Many street vendors will sell unique food items, like bugs and odd meats. I recommend getting out of your comfort zone and trying as many oddities as possible, as these will create good stories to share with family and friends and will give you new experiences that would have otherwise never been possible. For some good examples, in South Korea I recommend trying tteobokki (spicy rice cake), kimchi-pang (kimchi pork bun), San-nakji (live octopus), and Mandu (dumplings). In Thailand or Southeast Asia, try pad Thai, Guay Tiew Reua (noodle meat soup), Moo Ping (skewers), and of course Ma Laeng Tod (fried insects), a personal favorite of mine.
Another suggestion would be to haggle with the prices if doing so is common in that country (for non-food items that is). I have been ripped off many times while at street vendors, not knowing I could have gotten the price to a more reasonable level. In much of the world, especially in Africa and Asia, haggling for prices is very commonplace and generally expected, so don’t be shy about it in these regions. Don’t get burned by a shady vendor!
Lastly, I recommend talking with local vendors and asking about local spots that might be under the radar to a foreign traveler. I have done this many times, and usually the place that they recommend eating or visiting is less crowded, cheaper, and similar/better quality than the tourist filled hotspots around the city, which I find to be far more enjoyable when traveling. Hopefully these tips and ideas will help in your next travels abroad!