17 craveable street food recipes for beginners

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If you’re curious about cooking and love the idea of international street food, this collection of 17 recipes is just for you. Each one is tailored for novice cooks, so you don’t need to be a pro to get them right. These recipes cover a range of street food favorites, offering a simple way to bring global tastes to your own kitchen. It’s about discovering the joy of cooking and the exciting flavors that street food has to offer, all while keeping things easy and approachable.

Hand holding a frankie roll with two more rolls in the background.
Indian Frankies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Chicken Satay

overhead shot of thai chicken satay on a black plate with peanut sauce on the side.
Thai Chicken Satay. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Skewers of chicken marinated in a mix of spices, grilled to perfection. This recipe is a great introduction to Thai cooking for beginners, focusing on simple techniques to achieve a flavorful dish. Ideal for a casual dinner or a social gathering, these skewers can be served with a side of peanut sauce.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Closeup of a chicken shawarma wrap.
Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These wraps bring a touch of Middle Eastern cuisine to your kitchen. Using an air fryer, they combine spiced chicken with vegetables and a creamy sauce, wrapped in a soft pita. It’s a quick, easy recipe, suitable for a busy weeknight or a casual meal with friends.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Wraps

Vietnamese Summer Rolls

Low angle shot of vietnamese summer rolls with edible flowers.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Fresh vegetables and tender shrimp wrapped in rice paper, these rolls are a light and healthy choice. They’re straightforward to prepare, offering a balance of flavors and textures. Ideal for a light meal or as part of a varied menu, they’re a refreshing option for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Summer Rolls

Arepas con Queso

close up shot of an arepa con queso split open to show the cheesy filling.
Arepas con Queso. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A staple from South America, these cornmeal cakes filled with cheese are simple to make. The recipe guides you to achieve a golden crust, making it a satisfying snack or a filling breakfast. It’s an introduction to South American flavors in an easy-to-follow format.
Get the Recipe: Arepas con Queso

Pad Kee Mao with Chicken

A bowl of pad kee mao with chicken shot from above.
Pad Kee Mao with Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Known as ‘Drunken Noodles’, this dish combines rice noodles, chicken, and vegetables in a savory sauce. The recipe is simple, allowing you to adjust the spice to your preference. It’s an ideal choice for a quick and hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Pad Kee Mao with Chicken

Veggie Pad Thai

low angle shot of a light blue bowl of pad thai.
Veggie Pad Thai. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This vegetarian dish features a mix of vegetables and rice noodles in a tangy sauce. The recipe is simple, teaching the basics of Thai cooking in an easy-to-understand manner. It’s a quick, enjoyable meal for those preferring a meat-free option.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pad Thai

Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

overhead shot of a bowl of noodles with vegetables and thai peanut sauce.
Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Noodles coated in a peanut sauce with a hint of spice and lime. This dish is easy to prepare, making it perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner. It combines comfort with flavor in a simple recipe, ideal for beginners.
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

Pancit Bihon

Pancit noodles on a plate with veggies and chicken.
Pancit Bihon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A Filipino noodle dish with vegetables and chicken, Pancit Bihon is both light and fulfilling. It offers a glimpse into Filipino cooking with a straightforward recipe. Suitable for any day, it’s a dish that’s simple yet enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Pancit Bihon

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

stacked taquitos on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken and cheese-filled taquitos cooked in an air fryer to a crispy finish. This recipe is fun and easy, great for involving family in the kitchen. They work well as a snack or paired with a salad for a more complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Har Gow

4 har gow shrimp dumplings in a bamboo steamer basket.
Har Gow. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Shrimp dumplings with a delicate skin, Har Gow is a dim sum classic. The recipe is a rewarding challenge, teaching the technique of making dumplings. Perfect for a special occasion, they are both impressive in presentation and taste.
Get the Recipe: Har Gow

Samosa Chaat

low angle shot of a plate of samosa chaat.
Samosa Chaat. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Combining crispy samosas with chutneys, Samosa Chaat is a flavor-packed dish. Easy to recreate at home, it introduces you to Indian flavors in a simple format. Great for sharing, it’s a recipe that brings a taste of Indian street food to your table.
Get the Recipe: Samosa Chaat

Indian Frankies

Hand holding a frankie roll with two more rolls in the background.
Indian Frankies. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy wraps filled with flavorful ingredients, Indian Frankies are a popular street food. The recipe is straightforward, using simple ingredients to create a tasty dish. They are perfect for a quick meal or as a portable lunch option.
Get the Recipe: Indian Frankies

Tanghulu

Tanghulu. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Traditional Chinese snack featuring fruit with a hard candy coating. The recipe is simple and fun, offering a unique way to enjoy fruit. It’s a delightful treat, perfect for a creative dessert or a fun snack.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

Mochiko Chicken

A hand holding a crispy piece of mochiko chicken.
Mochiko Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a sweet and savory batter, Mochiko Chicken is a Hawaiian favorite. The recipe is simple, ideal for those new to cooking, offering a delicious result with minimal effort. Great as a snack or a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Mochiko Chicken

Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Lamb kofta kebabs on a wooden board with  fresh herbs and vegetables.
Lamb Kofta Kebabs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Ground lamb mixed with spices and formed into kebabs, then grilled. This recipe introduces you to Middle Eastern flavors in an easy-to-follow manner. Perfect for a barbecue or a simple family dinner, these kebabs are both flavorful and straightforward to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kofta Kebabs

Paneer Pakora

low angle shot of a pile of paneer pakora.
Paneer Pakora. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Indian snack of paneer cheese coated in a spiced batter and fried. This recipe is simple, teaching the basics of Indian frying techniques. It’s a great snack or appetizer, offering a taste of traditional Indian cuisine in an easy-to-make format.
Get the Recipe: Paneer Pakora

Thai Curry Puffs

Thai curry puffs filled with ground chicken, potatoes, peas, onions, garlic and spices.
Thai Curry Puffs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Pastry puffs filled with a Thai curry mixture, combining spices and vegetables. The recipe is straightforward, guiding you through the steps to create a tasty snack. Perfect for an appetizer or a light meal, they offer a taste of Thai flavors in a simple, approachable format.
Get the Recipe: Thai Curry Puffs

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