I’m a big fan of eating from street stalls around the world. That way you get to experience a culture’s local cuisine. But is it safe?

The answer is a qualified “yes.”

My rule of thumb is if it’s boiled, peeled or cooked, you eat it.

But make sure you can actually see the food being cooked in front of you on a grill or a deep-fryer.

Skip the fresh fruit and salads, unless they’ve been peeled or boiled.

Even if the vendor assures you that it’s been washed, the water used for washing can often contain harmful bacteria.

So skip the pre-cut fruits and vegetables—you just don’t know how long they’ve been hanging around.

A common American traveler mistake: ordering a soft drink from a bottle is a good idea, but ordering it with ice — or a frozen drink — is a bad idea.

Always ask the locals for advice – not the concierge at your hotel.

The reason is that they’ll probably point you to the most westernized hotel restaurant.

The locals actually know where to go.

Get more food advice in our Culinary Travels section.

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