Regional street food is street food that has commonalities within a region or culture.
Tanghulu for sale on a street in Tianjin, China
A fish taco served on fry bread in Alaska
Street food packaged in plastic bags in Bangkok, Thailand
Nikuman in Japan
Street food is food sold by a hawker or vendor on a street or at another public place, such as a market, fair, or park. It is often sold from a portable food booth, food cart, or food truck and is meant for immediate consumption. Some street foods are regional, but many have spread beyond their regions of origin. Most street foods are classified as both finger food and fast food and are typically cheaper than restaurant meals. The types of street food vary between regions and cultures in different countries around the world. According to a 2007 study from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 2.5 billion people eat street food every day. While some cultures consider it to be rude to walk on the street while eating, a majority of middle- to high-income consumers rely on the quick access and cheap service of street food for daily nutrition and job opportunities, especially in developing countries.
Street food in New York City
Street food in Yangon Chinatown, Myanmar
Satay street vendor in Java, Dutch East Indies, c. 1870, using pikulan or carrying baskets using a rod
The presence of street food vendors in New York City throughout much of its history, such as these c. 1906, are credited with helping support the city's rapid growth.