Why does Dubai love street food? KT asks top chefs

Top Stories

Why does Dubai love street food? KT asks top chefs

Dubai - Be it burgers, churros or even Middle East's very own sharwarma, the UAE has a close relationship with is street food.

By Sunita Menon

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Mon 27 Feb 2017, 8:48 PM

From crispy churros of Colombia to the tangy tom yum  soup of Thailand, from India's spicy aloo-tikki chaat to the Middle Eastern shawarma, from the American hot dog to the Japanese shioyaki, there's something about the lure of street food that transcends gender, religion,  culture, countries and every other human divide.
The humble street food doesn't just satiate the hunger pangs of millions of low-wage earners around the world,  but it is also the staple of countless office executives while regularly gracing the Instagram accounts of the society's crème de la crème.
But what exactly is it that makes street food click? What adds spice to the universal appeal of street food? Khaleej Times spoke to global chefs who were in town for the annual 'Eat the World DXB' food festival to find out.
'It's the passion, accessibility, and affordability'
 
 I am: Chef Dan Shearman
I am from: London, UK
My favourite street food is: Sushi
Back in London, the concept of street food is going pretty crazy. It's accessible, it's all about the theatre. First time we came to the UAE, which is about two years ago, there wasn't really a scene as such. I think now it has really taken off. This is our third year in the UAE. Everyone loves it. It's food trucks everywhere. It's really good. I think the street food scene in the UAE is coming to a level as it is in London right now. So, it's fantastic. the reception is brilliant. One more important aspect about street food chefs and traders is about someone putting passion into their food. Passionate chefs can afford to have their own business and put in so much of their creativity and great produce together.
And again, street food is accessible. Yes, it's grab-and-go food, but at the same time, it's restaurant level food and it's fresh. So, it's affordable and that's what people love about it. Food trucks are there everywhere,  and the concept is really picking up. I have a few favourites when it comes to street food back in London.
I have a particular favourite over here, which I keep eating, and it is at the Sushi and Sol. They are US
traders and they do amazing Sushi like spicy eggs,  tempura prawns, sushi rice. It's incredible.
'It's authentic comfort food that makes you happy'

I am: Chef Tami
I am from: New York City, US
My favourite street food is: Fish-n-chips
Street food is authentic. I come from New York City, and street food is very famous over there. You also have family time with street food. The best thing about street food is that you have families enjoying it. It's very affordable. You are guaranteed of freshness. The other reason for street food to be popular is that you get to try the food which you ordinarily wouldn't access unless you go to a high-scale or an overpriced restaurant. And street food is also a comfort food for many. I mean, you can hardly find anybody who does not like the street food. It is for the soul.
If you have a busy day and you have no time to go to a restaurant or a café, just pass by a food truck and
there you go - you get food that not only fills you up but also makes you happy. It's all about the taste and the freshness. Also, the food is prepared right in front of you and that is what people love about it. You will find food trucks everywhere in New York. Over here, the concept of street food is slowly picking up. People are developing a taste for it. My favourite street food is the very, very popular fish-n-chips. It reminds me of my childhood. Sitting in my favourite aunt's kitchen and waiting for the next batch fish to fry.
'It's nostalgic, no-fuss food that speaks to your soul'

I am: Chef Emilio Molina
I am from: San Juan, Puerto Rico
My favourite street food is: Crumble (dessert)
Street food clicks because it speaks to people's soul.  It's not a commercialized thing. The chefs have the
creation in their heart, and it's not about a corporate conglomerate. We can create dishes on the whim and it's fun to have a crowd out there being able to eat different things from different places. Most importantly, people from all walks of life enjoy it.
There is no age bar to enjoy street food. It's nostalgic and reminds you of your street back home. It's not heavy on your pocket and yes, it's finger licking tasty.
Street food is simple, there is no fuss about it and that is why it is so popular. Over here, the concept has
really picked up. You can go to any place in the world and see food trucks lined up. They lend a fair-like
The other aspect is creativity - the street food chef is free to create dishes that suits your palette. There is no definite rule that a particular dish should be prepared this way or that way. How to create a dish without losing its essence is the magic. And chefs love it, people love it and your pocket loves it. Street food is all about food cultures coming together. My favourite street food has to be a dessert - the crumble. I have a sweet tooth anyway.
'It's food-on-the-go and it's food you want to go to'

I am: Chef Douglas Robertson-Ritchie
I am from: London, UK
My Favourite street food is: Fried chicken
 I think people love street food because you get restaurant-quality food at very affordable prices. Street food comes from very humble beginnings and people. You make one dish and you make it well, and that's what street food is all about. Then you can polish the craft with time and tailor it according to people's taste. I don't know how is it going to be in the future, but I can tell you that there are lots and lots of street food now. It's a hard market to be successful in. But having said that, the Chicken Boys' food truck over here started their business a year-and-a-half ago and they are unbelievably successful.
The other aspect of street food is all about eating out in the open. You don't have to dress up for the occasion. You can grab your favourite food anytime you want, from a food truck that is parked in your street and goes. It's food-on-the-go and it's food you want to go to. From the trader's point of view, starting a street food business is low investment. It's economical for the vendors as well as the buyers. My favorite street food has to be the Chicken Boys. Fried chicken is done really, really well. I love it. 
'It's the history, the affordability and the casualness'

 I am: Chef Luan
I am from: Singapore
My Favourite street food is: Anything piping hot
Street food is really popular these days. You don't have to dress up. You come as you are. The atmosphere is really casual, you hang out with friends and family and most importantly, enjoy the food which is prepared right in front of you. Street food clicks because one gets to enjoy a variety of dishes at very affordable prices. Street food is always going to be there, it is never going to go away and it's always been there from our grandparents' time. There is a history to street food, it's not something that just popped up. Over here, we walked on the streets and I found the food sitting inside restaurants. It will be good to have them all on the streets. But I think it's just a matter of time and we will get to see more food on the streets.
At this event out here at the Burj Park, you see people enjoying their food and trying out different cuisines. That's what I would like to see here because there are so many nationalities living here and just imagine a street lined up with just street food. My favourite street food has to be anything that is really piping hot. Like, if you are in Vietnam and it's really cold and they are grilling octopus on the street, I would hang on and want to eat that.
 'It's uncomplicated, it's memorable, it's fulfilling'

 I am: Chef Reif Othman
I am from: Singapore
My Favourite street food is: Japanese
Street food is very casual as compared to fine dining. It's easy food, straightforward, nothing too fancy, nothing too fussy. As you know, fine dining is more about detail, a lot of work and effort that goes behind the kitchen door. On the other hand, street food is very easy in many ways and not so complicated. It's memorable. It's comforting and fulfilling and I guess that's why people love it. I must add that it's enduring to your palette and that's why it clicks. One of the best things about street food is that you get to explore a variety of dishes - it doesn't stick to table manners. Over here, the concept is gradually catching up. It's good for vendors. Street food is nothing but a combination of all cultures.
Street food is all about creation at the spur of the moment. People love to see their food being prepared right in front of their eyes. That itself is very fulfilling for them, I guess. And yes, it's affordable. My favourite street is in Japan. It's all sorts of crazy stuff that they sell on the streets. I love it all. It's clean, simple and it's not messy. In Japan, they are more into seafood. I also love the state of food that vendors sell on food trucks in Los Angeles.
 'It's accessible, it's affordable, it's exceptional'
 
I am: Suzzane Hussani
I am an: Arabian Canadian
My Favourite street food is: Falafel
 The magic of street food and the reason why it is called street food is that it is kind of food that everybody has access to. It's attainable, it's affordable and it's something that you can pick up on the way and eat. But what makes it exceptional for me is that these are real entrepreneurs. These are the people who really love their work, love their food and want to perfect a particular dish and use the best ingredients. So, contrary to what some people might think, it's not junk food - it's real food but it's on the street.
If you notice, when it comes to street food, the chefs' creativity is in full flair when they serve their dishes from a food truck. These [the street food chefs] are passionate people. If you get your favourite street food, it is so fulfilling. I have so many street foods that I adore, but falafel has to top them all. I think it is the quintessential street food of the Arab world, of course. It's crispy, fried, it's nice and fluffy inside. It's got the perfect sauce, it's got herbs, it's wrapped in fresh bread. I can't think of any street food that compares to it. But I love shawarma too.
 'It's a beautiful mirror image of society'

 I am: Woo Wai Leong (Masterchef Asia winner)
I am from: Singapore
My Favourite street food is: Anything that looks mysterious on a stick
I think street food clicks because it is a beautiful mirror image of the city or society that it is part of. If you look at New York, street food is full of food trucks. You got like hot dogs, biryani, tacos and if you look at South East Asia you have got different stir fries, noodles, and soups. So, I think street food is cool because when you travel and you get the taste of the street food, it really is the reflection of the people who live there. In Singapore and even in New York, the street food trucks just line up and you will find people streaming towards them.
The other reason for street food to gain popularity is the manner in which is prepared - it is fresh, the buyer gets to see it being prepared right in front of them. It is a place where people can hangout and spend some quality time. Street food appeals to all classes of the society, unlike fine dining where you need to go into a restaurant, make a booking, dress up and spend money. My favorite street food is anything that looks mysterious on a stick. For example, in Singapore, you have satay, which is a bit like shawarma. The sauce is a bit richer with peanuts, it's a bit spicy and at the same time sweet.
'It's friendly, it's charming, it's yummy'

I am: Bjorn Shen
I am from: Singapore
My Favourite street food is: Shawarma
Street food is clean, affordable and you can satisfy your soul. Today, people are looking for good hearty food that comes at reasonable prices. Moreover, there is no set timing for street food. You can get it even in the middle of the night in some countries. Over here, I am glad to see that the concept is really catching up. At an event like this, you get to see so many vendors and chefs busy dishing up yummy food as people stream towards their trucks and it feels good.
The fun thing about street food is that it challenges you to be adventurous. Like if you go to South Asian countries, the market for street food is buzzing with activities, there is frying happening at one place, the fish vendor is shouting on top of his voice, the tourists clicking pictures. The scene is really wonderful. I am sure the same will happen out here. There is so much to explore over here as far as the food scene is concerned. Street food is here to stay. The best way to promote street food is by having festivals which are all about simple, clean street food. This is what is happening out here. My favourite street food is anything on a stick and fried, but I do like shawarma as well. I can even have it in the middle of the night.
 'It's clean, it's quick, it's cheap, and it's exciting'
 
I am: Chef Tomy
I am from: UK
My Favourite street food is: Beef Burger
The two main reasons why street food is popular are the variety of dishes and that it's cheap. The scene out here in Dubai is really, really great, but I hope that it does not get over-saturated because a lot of street food is already being done here now. There are many traders and vendors who have joined in and the competition is heating up. But then again, it's good news because chefs will be whipping up new creations just to stay ahead in the race. One of the key factors as to why street food clicks and is popular is because of the diversity of the country and the place where they are doing their business. It's reflected in the dishes they produce. Each vendor will try to get the most authentic street food from their country just to entice the buyers and why not?
Street food is all about cultures coming together. Having said that, street food is no more about people who are trying to make a living. It's all about chefs who have the passion to create dishes that people would come to, pick up on-the-go. It's less fuss and more about food. It's clean, it's quick and it's cheap. My favourite street food is definitely beef burgers. I love a really good juicy burger.
 


More news from