France is a unique country with a love for gourmet food. Croissants and macarons are probably the first two things that come to mind when you think of French food. But there are more to these snacks than meets the eye. French cuisine has been declared an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by UNESCO in 2010. Baguettes are not the only food that is iconic in France - crêpes and falafels are also well-known staples. It is every foodie’s dream to be in a food paradise such as Paris, so here is a list of the top street food you must try in France that are tasty and affordable. Bon appétit!
1. Jambon beurre (ham and butter sandwich)
Jambon beurre sandwich has got to be the first on the list, as it is a favourite street food among tourists and locals. This is a perfect blend of salted butter and ham served on a fresh baguette. A billion of them were sold in France in 2013. Extra ingredients such as cornichons add a crunchy taste to the simple sandwich. Dry bread with meat used to be lunch for factory workers since it was something they could eat quickly. Eventually, plain bread was replaced by baguette and it formed a staple food in France.
2. Crêpes (French pancake)
A thin pancake that originated in Brittany, crêpe is one of the most well-known French specialities worldwide. These are traditionally eaten on February 2nd, a French holiday known as Crêpe Day. They are the European cousin of American pancakes, made with wheat flour, milk, eggs, and sweet or savoury fillings such as ham, cheese, and bacon. Sweet crêpe can include Nutella or plain sugar. It can be eaten for breakfast or dessert and is widely available in Paris and Brittany.
3. Truffle Fries
Truffle oil and parmesan cheese make a perfect combo for french fries. Truffle fries can be deep-fried, air-fried, or baked before being drizzled with truffle oil, salt, and a little bit of parsley. This gives them a smoky taste unlike any other fries, and it is so good that it doesn’t even need a dip! A quick tasty snack for those in a hurry.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Poulet crudités (chicken and vegetable sandwich)
Poulet (chicken) crudités (appetizer consisting of vegetables) is a simple chicken sandwich with vegetables and salad dressing sauce on a crusty baguette. It is typically accompanied by shredded white cheese, salt, olive oil, pepper, and vinegar.
5. Merguez (Moroccan lamb sausage)
A Moroccan lamb sausage typically served with flatbread, it is one of the tastiest sausages around and is well-loved by the French. It originated from North Africa, but in France, it is served on a baguette with dijon mustard or mayonnaise and french fries. Fennel, cumin, and hot peppers give the sausage a mix of spicy and earthy flavours.
6. Pastrami sandwich
Pastrami sandwich is surely something that Americans are familiar with. Artisan-style bread paired with thinly sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese, and coleslaw, it is a hotpot of flavours and textures ranging from tender to crunchy. It was invented in 1888 by Sussman Volk in New York and has captured the attention of France with its delicious mix of melted cheese and hot pastrami. Pastrami sandwiches are now a part of France’s street food scene.
7. Falafel (fried chickpea patty)
Falafel is Middle Eastern street food from Israel. You will find long queues at kiosks selling falafels, especially on 34 rue des Rosiers, where you can find the best falafels in Paris. L'As du Fallafel is known to be the best café in Paris, with long queues due to its popularity. When you get a hold of this, savour the fluffy pita bread filled with crispy chickpea patties. It is layered with fresh, crunchy vegetables and tahini sauce. These are usually deep-fried to give it a golden-brown colour.
8. Hot dog baguette
This is basically a fresh baguette with a hot dog, similar to the American version that is served with soft bread. What more could you ask for? A tip for choosing baguettes: the outside should be crisp and golden, with a soft interior. This will save you from running to the best bakery on the other side of the city.
9. Arepa
Arepa originated from Colombia and is a staple food in Colombian and Venezuelan diets. These soft, flat, and round patties are made with either ground maize kernels, maize flour, or maize meal mixed with water and salt, sometimes butter, eggs, milk, or oil. Arepas can vary in size, flavour, and colour depending on the cooking method. It can be topped up with meat, cheese, eggs, tomatoes, or salad, or eaten plain as is. A tortilla/pancake lookalike, this traditional food is very flexible when it comes to variation. It can be fried, baked, or grilled and has endless options for toppings.
10. Souvlakis (grilled skewer)
A Greek fast food made of meat and vegetables and grilled on a skewer, souvlaki is an exotic delicacy loved by locals and tourists alike. It is best eaten with pita bread and fried potatoes, a great addition to the grilled meat. Lamb or pork forms the main ingredients of souvlaki, and it is typically served with tzatziki sauce and tomatoes.
11. Croque monsieur (cheese and ham sandwich)
Did you know that croque means ‘crunch’ in French? A name that lives up to the food, a croque monsieur is a popular and delicious grilled ham and cheese sandwich moistened by a golden sauce. A must-eat when in Paris, the key ingredient here is the béchamel sauce, made of butter and milk. The croque madame is a variation with a fried egg on top.
Visit the land of culinary delights
In France, travellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to food. If you were to visit this country, autumn is the best season, as it is also the harvest season - lots of fresh produce! Be sure to grab a bite of some of these delicious street foods before heading to your next destination.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9 Safe Neighborhoods In Paris, France - Updated 2024Natália Cagnani -
-
-
-
Create an account to