Whether you’re exploring a new city or grabbing a quick bite, you, an ESL learner, will often hear people talk about “street food.” It’s a delicious part of local culture, and knowing how to describe it in English helps you ask questions, place orders, and talk about your favorites. Mastering today’s vocabulary will help you feel confident when eating out or sharing food stories with others. Let’s jump right in!

5 Vocabulary Words

1. Street food (Noun): Ready-to-eat food sold by vendors in public places like markets or sidewalks.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. We tried the local street food while walking through the night market.

     2. Street food is often cheap, tasty, and fast.

     3. My favorite street food is grilled chicken on a stick.

2. Vendor (Noun): A person who sells something, often in a small stall or cart.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. The vendor served fresh tacos with homemade salsa.

     2. I asked the vendor what ingredients were in the dish.

     3. Each vendor had a different specialty.

3. Stall (Noun): A small open-fronted structure used to sell food or goods.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. We stopped at a noodle stall near the train station.

     2. That stall always has a long line because the food is amazing.

     3. I found a dessert stall that sold fried bananas.

4. Spicy (Adjective): Having a strong, hot flavor—often made with chili or pepper.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. This dish is really spicy, so be careful!

     2. Do you like spicy food or something more mild?

     3. The vendor warned me that the sauce was extra spicy.

5. Queue (Noun/Verb): A line of people waiting for something; to wait in line.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. We had to queue for 20 minutes to try the dumplings.

     2. The queue moved fast because the vendor was quick.

     3. I don’t mind waiting in a queue for good food!

While visiting Bangkok, I explored a night market full of amazing street food. I found a popular stall where the vendor was making fresh pad Thai right in front of me. It was a little spicy, but so tasty I didn’t even care. The queue was long, but totally worth the wait!