Street Food: The Soul of Every City
“Hello everyone! This is oppa!”👽
Today is my 426th day on Earth ✏ 🗓 .and I met my friend Amber at a new street stall!she once told me that the fastest way to understand the world’s cuisine is to experience the street food in different cities.
📍When I first came to Earth, I discovered that in some fixed place, as the sun sets each day, small shops or carts would appear by the roadside, offering many food that you can hold in your hand while walking and eating. Oh, right！💡 I know this is called a night market now. This is also where Amber and I first met.
Later, we became great friends, and every time we met, she would excitedly pick up her phone 
, scroll through photos, and share those vibrant experiences with me.
🥙Xi’an Muslim Street, China
The first place she visited was Xi’an’s Muslim Street. As soon as she stepped into the alley, she was dazzled by rows of red lanterns. Amber told me that this night market isn’t just an ordinary street food market. Back in the Tang Dynasty, there was already the bustling scene of “night markets lasting until midnight.”
“I first tried a freshly made roujiamo (Chinese-style pita bread stuffed with meat),” Amber said while gesturing. “When you bite into the crispy outer layer, there’s a ‘crunch’ sound, and the stewed, tender lamb mixed with chopped green peppers oozes with juices. Not far away, there was a long line in front of a zenggao (steamed sticky rice cake) stall, and the sweet aroma drifting over could lure people three streets away.”
Amber said this is part of the “breakfast memory” for the people of Xi’an. I realized that the night market there isn’t just about eating; it’s also about history and culture.“It’s also about carrying forward this inherited liveliness and vibrant atmosphere.”
Liuhe Night Market, Taiwan🌭
“To experience the thickest sense of local life, you have to go to Taiwan’s Liuhe Night Market.” Amber showed me photos of the brightly lit night market. Spanning several blocks, the variety of snacks there could tire out your legs just exploring.
Unlike the “ancient flavors” of Xi’an Muslim Street, the stalls here are more like “mobile food laboratories.”
The vendor selling ‘big sausage wrapped around small sausage’ would cheerfully ask, “Do you want it spicy?” Fresh oysters coated in a starchy batter, drizzled with sweet and sour sauce, became the signature dish. Pair that with a big cup of inexpensive yet delicious winter melon tea, and you’ve got the ultimate treat.
“That human warmth is the truest essence of the night market.”
“But beyond the food, the real joy is the warm and convivial atmosphere at the night market,” Amber said. She visited several night markets in Taiwan, and vendors often gave her free snacks when they heard she was a tourist. The relationships between the stall owners were also very friendly.
🍺Ubud Night Market, Bali，Indonesia
“Passion is synonymous with Bali,” Amber showed me a panoramic photo she had taken. Rows of colorful tents looked like an overturned palette of paints.
Amber went to the most famous grilled pork ribs. The uninhibited rising smoke mixed with the sea breeze, and as she watched the sunset while biting into tender, juicy ribs and sipping on a refreshing local beer, she said, “It just felt incredibly romantic.”
Amber also suddenly reminded me that if you plan to visit, you should use a specialized app for taxis. The taxis waiting at the night market exits are notorious for overcharging, and even aliens like me are not exempt!
It turns out that even the “survival tips” of night markets are part of the culture.
Niseko Hirafu,Hokkaido, Japan🍜
Amber visited Hokkaido during its coldest time. Unlike the previous places, Japan’s nightlife is a “restrained kind of liveliness.”
In the snowy streets, the seemingly inconspicuous small shops revealed themselves as warm “private kitchens” when you pushed open the sliding doors. Ramen or tempura, either way, the food was perfect for the winter. Watching the shop owner, dressed formally, carefully prepare the dishes, meticulously plate them, and pair each meal with the right drink, Amber said, “The nights were cold, but the experience was incredibly cozy. They took entertaining me very seriously.”
She also noticed that the stall owners there were very focused. Unlike other night markets where crowds flooded the stalls, the vendors here would close their doors when too many people arrived. Their craftsmanship, often passed down through generations, was so precise that even the amount of seasoning was measured to perfection. It turns out that even the smoky, lively atmosphere can carry a sense of exquisite refinement.
After hearing all this, I think I finally understand what Amber means by the “smoky, lively atmosphere.” Night markets are far from being just places that sell food. Xian’s night markets carry the weight of history, Taiwan’s night markets are filled with the warmth of community, Bali’s night markets exude tropical passion, and Japan’s night markets showcase the spirit of craftsmanship.
These different flavors and lively scenes come together to embody Earthlings’ “philosophy of life” — to treat every meal seriously and to embrace every night enthusiastically.
If you are interested in my journey about food on the earth