20 Cheap Eats Abroad That Taste Like a Million Bucks

Traveling the world doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account, especially when it comes to food. Across bustling cities and quiet towns, some of the best meals aren’t found in fancy restaurants but in humble street stalls, tiny diners, and local food markets. These dishes might cost less than your morning coffee back home, but the flavors deliver an experience worth far more. From spicy skewers sizzling over open flames to creamy soups simmered in centuries-old recipes, these cheap eats are rich in culture, comfort, and taste. Local favorites often pack the most punch, savory, spicy, sweet, and everything in between, without the luxury price tag.

1. Banh Mi – Vietnam

Every bite of a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich tells a story of French colonial influence meeting Southeast Asian flavor. Crusty baguettes are filled with savory meats, crunchy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a creamy smear of pate or mayo. Sold from street carts for under $1, this handheld masterpiece feels like a gourmet lunch. The balance of textures and tastes, soft, crisp, tangy, spicy, makes it a standout. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it’s delicious beyond belief.

2. Arepas – Colombia/Venezuela

Made from ground maize dough, arepas are a warm, hearty street food often split open and stuffed with everything from melted cheese to shredded beef or black beans. In places like Medellín or Caracas, these golden patties cost just a few dollars and can double as breakfast or dinner. Bite into one and the smoky, grilled flavor instantly satisfies. Simple ingredients shine through in every chewy, flavorful mouthful. Arepas offer comfort with a twist of South American charm.

3. Chaat – India

Exploding with flavor, chaat is India’s answer to the perfect savory snack. Vendors toss together fried dough bits, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, chutneys, and spices into a colorful, chaotic dish that just works. At less than $1 a bowl, it feels criminal how good it tastes. The spicy-sweet combo keeps you coming back for more. In cities like Delhi or Mumbai, chaat isn’t just food, it’s a cultural event.

4. Gimbap – South Korea

This colorful Korean roll may resemble sushi, but gimbap is a distinct experience in its own right. Filled with seasoned rice, pickled radish, spinach, egg, and meats or fish, it’s rolled in seaweed and sliced for easy snacking. Street stalls and convenience stores sell them cheap, making it a go-to for locals and travelers alike. One roll can fill you up while satisfying every tastebud. It’s proof that portable food can still be deeply satisfying.

5. Falafel – Egypt/Jordan/Lebanon

Crispy, golden falafel balls are made from ground chickpeas or fava beans and deep-fried to perfection. Served in pita with tahini, veggies, and hot sauce, they form a filling meal for just a couple of dollars. You can find them on nearly every street corner across the Middle East. The crunch outside and soft, herby interior make them irresistible. Cheap never tasted so righteous.

6. Empanadas – Argentina

Wrapped in flaky pastry and stuffed with meats, cheese, or vegetables, empanadas are Argentina’s edible pocket of joy. Each region puts its own spin on the fillings, some spicy, some sweet, all hearty. Grab one for less than $2 at a bakery or from a street cart and you’ll feel like you’ve just eaten grandma’s secret recipe. They’re small, affordable, and packed with flavor. Eating just one is nearly impossible.

7. Jollof Rice – Nigeria/Ghana

A West African staple, jollof rice is a one-pot wonder that brings heat, heart, and history to your plate. Cooked in a tomato-rich sauce with peppers, spices, and sometimes meat or fish, it’s fiery and soulful. For just a few bucks, you get a meal that fills your belly and warms your spirit. Found at roadside joints and family kitchens, it’s a must-try. It’s more than rice, it’s a statement.

8. Tlayudas – Mexico (Oaxaca)

This Oaxacan specialty is often dubbed the “Mexican pizza,” but that name hardly does it justice. A large, crispy tortilla is layered with refried beans, meat, cheese, cabbage, and salsa, then folded or served open-face. Vendors sell it for pocket change, yet the taste is top-tier. Each bite delivers smoke, spice, and crunch in equal measure. It’s street food elevated to an art form.

9. Dürüm – Turkey

Wrap your hands around a dürüm and you’ve got a full, savory meal on the go. Stuffed with spiced lamb or chicken, onions, greens, and sauces, then rolled into flatbread, this Turkish street favorite is endlessly satisfying. At around $2–$3, it’s a budget traveler’s dream. The bread is often grilled right in front of you, adding to the sensory experience. It’s comfort food with a Middle Eastern kick.

10. Gallo Pinto – Costa Rica/Nicaragua

A humble combination of rice and beans turns into a national treasure when spiced and sautéed with onions, peppers, and herbs. Gallo pinto is served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and often comes with eggs or plantains. It costs next to nothing but delivers the kind of flavor that keeps you scraping your plate. Locals swear by it, and after one bite, you will too. It’s simple, yet deeply satisfying.

11. Pad Kra Pao – Thailand

Minced pork or chicken stir-fried with holy basil, garlic, and chilies becomes a fiery masterpiece known as pad kra pao. Served over rice with a fried egg on top, this dish burns in all the right ways. For less than $2 at Thai street stalls, it’s a spicy, meaty, comforting delight. Locals line up for it daily. Flavor this bold doesn’t come easy, unless you’re in Bangkok.

12. Pirozhki – Russia

These stuffed buns are soft, golden, and filled with everything from potatoes and mushrooms to minced meat or sweet jam. Found in bakeries and train stations across Russia, pirozhki are the ultimate comfort snack. At less than a dollar each, you can try a few different varieties. Every bite is warm, doughy, and rich with Slavic charm. It’s a bakery treat that satisfies like a home-cooked meal.

13. Bunny Chow – South Africa

This Durban original involves scooping out a loaf of white bread and filling it with spicy curry meat or vegetarian. Born from necessity, bunny chow is now a beloved part of South African street food culture. For just a couple of dollars, you get a messy, spicy, hearty experience. The soft bread soaks up the sauce, turning every bite into a flavor bomb. It’s a bold dish with a bold backstory.

14. Mohinga – Myanmar

Often called Myanmar’s unofficial national dish, mohinga is a rich fish noodle soup served hot and garnished with crispy fritters, boiled egg, and lime. Usually sold at breakfast stalls for pennies, it’s surprisingly filling and flavorful. The lemongrass and fish broth is deeply aromatic. It’s the kind of dish that wakes you up and warms your soul.

15. Lángos – Hungary

Fried to golden perfection, lángos is Hungarian street food at its greasiest and most glorious. The dough is slathered in sour cream, garlic, and shredded cheese, making it crispy, gooey, and addictive. Sold from roadside vendors for just a few euros, it’s indulgent without being expensive. This isn’t health food, it’s happy food.

16. Kaya Toast – Singapore/Malaysia

A sweet spread made from coconut, eggs, and sugar is slathered between slices of toasted bread, often served with a side of soft-boiled eggs and soy sauce. Kaya toast is a breakfast classic found in kopitiams (coffee shops) across Singapore and Malaysia. It costs very little, but its flavor is unforgettable. The combo of sweet, savory, and buttery is weird, and it works. It’s a morning ritual that tastes like tradition.

17. Pupusas – El Salvador

Thick corn tortillas filled with beans, cheese, or meat, then griddled to perfection, pupusas are El Salvador’s pride. Topped with tangy cabbage slaw and a dash of tomato salsa, they’re hearty and bold. A couple of dollars will buy you a satisfying meal that sticks to your ribs. They’re crisp on the outside, soft inside, and always served with love. One is good, three is better.

18. Xi’an Roujiamo – China

Nicknamed the “Chinese hamburger,” roujiamo features spiced, shredded pork stuffed into a crispy, chewy flatbread. The flavors are bold, with cumin, garlic, and chili oil layered throughout. It’s a quick grab-and-go meal in Xi’an that barely costs more than a drink. One bite and you’ll understand why locals line up. It’s rustic, rich, and unforgettable.

19. Tamales – Mexico/Central America

Corn dough stuffed with meats, cheese, or chilies is wrapped in a corn husk and steamed until tender. Tamales are as common as tacos in many Latin countries and are sold by street vendors for cheap. The texture is soft, the fillings are rich, and the scent alone is enough to make you hungry. It’s a meal you unwrap like a gift, and it always delivers.

20. Samosas – India/Pakistan/East Africa

Triangular parcels of spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat are deep-fried to golden perfection. Samosas are sold by street vendors in paper bags and cost just cents per piece. Each crunchy bite gives way to a burst of warmth and flavor. Paired with chutney, they’re the ultimate snack with big taste and low cost. Eat one, and you’ll want five more.

This article was written by a human and edited with AI Assistance