You’d assume that the City of Lights, hailed as the most fashionable of world capitals, and a place fairly busting with great food in the tradition inspired by Queen Catherine of France in the 16th century, would have a rich and delicious street food tradition that goes back at least 1,000 years…
Classic Continental Breakfast: The international standard based on France’s eternal,
anytime café snack, coffee and a croissant (or a pain au chocolat).
… And you’d be right!
But what you’ll find at many stalls and carts may not be what you were expecting. Sure, there are ‘street food’ bistros and cafés that serve all kinds of foods from or inspired by the cuisines of other cultures: Bao Sandwiches (Korean), Falafel Wraps, Turkish style Pastrami Sandwiches, Kebabs, and American Style Cookies, to name just a few. But what we’re looking for is the real French street food, rooted in French traditions and employing native French ingredients.
Stating the obvious
The iconic French breakfast – which has evolved into what the rest of the world now calls the ‘Continental Breakfast’ – consists of a criossant and a cup of coffee (often expresso). A glass of fruit juice or a bowl of fruit may also be offered. The croissante-and-coffee duet is also, far and away, the popular choice for snacks and breaks throughout the day.
You can also get crèpes pretty much everywhere street food vendors gather, stuffed with all kinds of sweet fillings. The savoury, less well-known version of that classic hand-food is the galette, which we’ll examine more closely in a moment.
And let’s not forget ice cream, (crème glacé) which was introduced to France by the aforementioned Queen Catherine, and has been the leading summer heat-beater there for more than 400 years.
On our menu today
Galette: As promised. A thicker, darker, breadier, more flexible cousin of the crèpe made with buckwheat rather than wheat flour. It’s traditionally stuffed with as ham, cheese, and egg, but many other fillings are available today.
Gaufre: The iconic Belgian-style waffle. Served by itself, or on a tray with a dollop of crème Chantilly (tripple cream) and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Savory toppings are also allowed within the tradition, though. This is the oldest Paris street food on our list today, dating as far back as the 12trh century.
Pommes Frites: The original French Fries, which, it’s worth noting, are actually imported from Belgium like the Gauffre. Served with a pot of mustard on the side for dipping, they may also be sprinkled with grated cheese (often parmesan; that’s Catherine’s influence again), chopped fresh herbs, and/or fragments of truffle. The most popular street snack today among the younger set.
Merguez Sausage: Imported from Morocco, which was under French rule for many years up to the Second World War. It’s a unique sausage made from either lamb or beef and flavoured with cumin, chilli pepper, harissa, fennel, and garlic.
Wrap one up in a fresh galette and you have a Galette-saucisse, traditionally served with mustard, ketchup or mayo for dipping. A popular choice in the south of France.
Jambon Beurre: Baguette sandwich. A fresh baguette sliced lengthwise, buttered generously, and stuffed with thinly-sliced ham and cheese. Of course, now-a-days you can get it stuffed with pretty much any combination of cheeses and Charcuterie meats. The top traditional French street sammy.
Beignettes: Little pillows of choux pastry, deep fried and dusted liberally with powdered sugar. Choux is the pastry used for cream puffs and all their kin.
This amazing little treat – known for its unique fat-sweet flavour profile – has in fact been appropriated by the French-rooted city of New Orleans, Louisiana where it’s considered a culinary icon.
Make a meal of Paris!
You can make most of the French street foods we’ve spotlighted today at home, though some take more time and fiddling than others. And you’ll have to practice some of the techniques involved, to make your crèpes and galettes perfect!
~ Maggie J.