When you visit a street market, your senses will be on overdrive. There are crafts to see, spices to smell, and delicacies to taste, all laid out before you. There is an open-air market that will take you from India to London to Thailand.
Chandni Chowk is as busy and vibrant as its host city. You can find pretty much everything here, from staples like spices and flowers to colorful saris and bridal gowns. Stock up on nuts and dry foods to snack on during your tour of Chandni Chowk, but leave room for street food. For a great paratha, head to the “famous” Paranthe Wali Gali and enjoy flatbreads with “multiple fillings, including potato, paneer and even chilli,” according to the Times of India. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Jalebi Wala, where the deep-fried pastries “are drenched in sugar syrup and taste super delicious.”
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Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok
Get ready: With 15,000 stalls spread across 35 hectares, exploring Chatuchak is a marathon, not a sprint. Every weekend, about 200,000 people visit the market – the largest in Thailand – to buy fresh produce, clothing, accessories and homewares. Haggling is part of the business, and visitors are encouraged to start their negotiations with a smile. Plan to eat at least one meal at a street food stall. Popular culinary delights include khao man gai (chicken and rice), khao moo daeng (red pork with rice), pad thai and mango sticky rice.
This lively market offers a “rich mix of tradition and tourism,” according to Lonely Planet, “where local women looking for a new huipile (blouse) stand side by side with travelers seeking a textile souvenir.” Mayan villagers bring their handicrafts twice a week, displaying their colorful wares next to frying pans cooking fresh tortillas. The atmosphere is lively, and people-watching is as stimulating as shopping.
This is the hub for seafood. While tourists are allowed to visit Tsukiji’s outer fish market at any time, professional shoppers take priority in the early hours, and it’s common to get there before 9 a.m. so they can quickly visit the various stalls and buy their wholesale goods. After that, you can get up close to the fish (without touching it) and start planning where to eat. Tsukiji Yakiuo Ishikawa is a “rare gem,” Time Out said, where diners select sashimi fish that is grilled at their table, with each piece “only lightly seasoned with salt or soy sauce to bring out its natural flavor.” Tsukiji Kagura Sushi Honten is another highlight, with sushi rice that has a “round, slightly earthy and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh seafood.”
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