The two best ways to really get to know another country are by eating their food and by experiencing their culture. Common sense, right? Then why do so many people traveling abroad seek out expat spots or American chain restaurants? Obviously that accomplishes neither of these goals. This explains why I went straight for this trendy and very popular restaurant on my block today when I was starving for lunch, it’s called McDonald’s. Wait, wait. No, no I didn’t do that. Yes, it is a trendy and popular joint and it is on my block, and it is a place where I could much more easily get by with ordering in English(ish). And yes, the thought did in fact cross my mind. Instead, I made the jaunt across the ten lane street to my new favorite place – a place which shall remain nameless because I have no idea what its name is. It’s a Turkish Doner permanent food cart attached to a 24 hour flower shop (flower shops are EVERYWHERE here). Meats rotating on a spit are just waiting to be shaved off into your welcoming flour tortilla, then topped with a spicy aioli, pickles, tomatoes and even a few french fries (just like gyros in Athens, where the fries go in the pita). After hitting this stand up last night for dinner with Dani, I just had to go back again for lunch today. $3.66 (equivalent, 120 RUB) gets you a very delicious chicken doner kabob Turkish Russian burrito thing. And I love every last bit of it, especially the price.
Don’t think that just because I’m overseas in a country that doesn’t sound like “England” or “Switzerland” that everything is super cheap. Moscow is frequently ranked one of the most expensive cities on earth. But like every city, there are always hidden gems and street food is usually the gemmiest of them all (gemmiest? Yes).
So in closing, if you want to experience a new country, head for the street food. (Be careful in Hanoi, that was the sketchiest street food I have ever experienced, and I’m a global street food pro.) Food and culture wrapped into one small but delicious multi-national burrito. Yum.
America, Meet Russia 