8 inspiring street food dishes that influenced gastronomy

Street food is more than just a quick bite on the go. It tells stories of culture, tradition, and community, shaped by the hands of countless generations. From the smoky skewers of satay in Indonesia to the comforting warmth of poutine in Canada, these dishes are simple yet powerful. They travel across borders, evolve with new influences, and inspire chefs to elevate them with creativity and refinement. In this collection, we share 15 street food classics that continue to shape the world of gastronomy.

Flavours from the East

FALAFEL (MIDDLE EAST) 

Origin 
Falafel, fried balls of ground chickpeas or fava beans, comes from the Middle East and is particularly popular in Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt. 
Influence on gastronomy 
Falafel has become popular in vegetarian and vegan cuisine due to its plant-based nature, with chefs making variations using ingredients like beetroot or edamame to give the traditional version a new twist.

PAD THAI (THAILAND)

Origin 
This stir-fried noodle dish is a (young) classic in Thai cuisine, made with rice noodles, eggs, tofu, shrimp, and the distinctive flavours of fish sauce, tamarind, and peanuts. 
Influence on gastronomy 
Pad Thai has paved the way for refined Asian fusion dishes in high-end kitchens. Chefs particularly use the balance between sour, sweet, salty, and spicy that is so characteristic of Pad Thai as inspiration to refine the flavours in their dishes.

Comfort food icons

POUTINE (CANADA)

Origin 
Poutine is Canadian comfort food of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, and has grown from a simple snack to a national pride. 
Influence on gastronomy
Poutine is true comfort food and has inspired chefs to create luxurious versions with foie gras, oxtail, or even lobster, making the dish appear in gastronomic restaurants worldwide.

PIZZA (ITALY)

Origin 
Pizza originates from Naples and has spread in various forms all over the world. The most famous is Pizza Margherita, and countless variations have been made on it. 
Influence on gastronomy 
Although pizza is traditionally a simple dish, chefs have elevated it to a culinary inspiration, with artisanal dough preparations and exclusive toppings, such as truffle, caviar, and burrata.

SAMOSA (INDIA) 

Origin 
Samosas are triangular fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat. They originally come from India. 
Influence on gastronomy 
In top restaurants around the world, samosas are made with refined ingredients, such as crab meat or lamb with truffle oil. This street food is a source of inspiration for modern fusion chefs. There's even a samosa stall in Malaysia with a Michelin star!

GYOZA (JAPAN)

Origin 
Gyoza, Japanese dumplings filled with meat and vegetables, are popular in Japan and other parts of Asia.
Influence on gastronomy 
Gyoza are themselves inspired by Chinese jiaozi and are now combined in restaurants with more Western and luxurious ingredients

SATAY (INDONESIA)

Origin 
Satay is an Indonesian street food dish of marinated, grilled thin pieces of meat on a skewer, served with a spicy peanut sauce. 
Influence on gastronomy
Satay has had worldwide influence. Chefs in luxury restaurants combine traditional ingredients like chicken or lamb with modern influences such as quail, lobster, octopus, or partridge.

TACOS (MEXICO)

Origin
Tacos are Mexico's most famous street food dish and are filled with various types of meat, vegetables, and salsa.
Influence on gastronomy 
The simplicity and versatility of tacos have had a worldwide influence. Chefs in top restaurants now create 'gourmet tacos' with luxurious ingredients like lobster, foie gras, and Wagyu beef. The taco has evolved from the street corner to Michelin-starred restaurants.