If someone were to ask me for my assessment after my first three months living in Bangalore, I would let my stomach do the talking and, without hesitation, I would express my delight at the variety, luxury and quality of street food.

There street food an integral part of the city’s economic, gastronomic and cultural life. Without street food, where is the population located and what are they going to do? Whether it’s early in the morning, at lunchtime, or from 5pm till late at night, how many groups of people gather to taste, with pleasure, what makes authentic street food? But be careful, there are street food And street food, and well-informed customers are not wrong. Addresses are passed on by word of mouth and good spots can be recognized by the queues that form in front of the counter and can stretch for several meters down the sidewalk. No frills, no tablecloths or background music needed, just the sound of PayTM electronic payees. We didn’t come to eat street food because we are hungry, but because we want a very specific taste, the dish that calls out to us at that moment. There street food it’s more than a meal, it’s an experience. Desire to sabudana vadafromjoking or even from sin it can be felt at any time, and we drool at the first thought of a good address street food that promises this pleasure.

But where is ours street food on the hexagon? Nothing, right? Especially if I search on Google “street food France”, the first result that appears is McDonalds, Burger King or other Pizza Hut, then the word croque-monsieur appears! Let me tell you that my current demands for street food are very different. French gastronomy is also classified as a cultural heritage by UNESCO street food is, that is, for absent customers. How can a country that is recognized as having one of the best culinary cultures be present on the streets street food ? Tasting Burgundy snails, frog legs with parsley on the side of the pavement, or hot Mont d’Or cheese on potatoes and a nice slice of smoked ham, is it impossible for you?

But are the French ready to eat on the move, standing, in plain sight? Is it the fact that we lose a bit of comfort while sitting in a restaurant or at a table in a cafe with service, or the fear of being judged while eating on the street that prevents us from accepting reality? street food ?

In my 47 years of professional life in various companies, I have seen kitchens evolve in all directions, whether in cooking techniques, products, hygiene standards and regulations. Our company is constantly organizing itself, leaving no room for small structures, which are constantly being forced to change or disappear. Our product tastes have changed due to ever more stringent and restrictive standards. When can a restaurant owner go to the farm to buy the rabbits or chickens in person? Nowadays, isn’t it easier to buy fish fillets than whole fish? And how many young cooks can’t tell the difference between a John Dory and a turbot?

During my most recent return to France, I had the opportunity to chat with an Indian restaurateur based in the city of Mâcon, Burgundy, who told me about his problems with the French veterinary service. His first request was related to the establishment of a stand street food in front of his place of business, to attract customers who don’t necessarily want to eat at the restaurant, but are eager to eat authentic Indian snacks in front of his house. The answer is no, supported by so many hygiene standards that it’s almost impossible to prepare, cook and sell products on the way. His second project was installing an oven tandoors in the corner of his room to promote the signature dish, again failing and this time violating safety standards. Finally, this brave man narrates his life as a restaurateur in India with great nostalgia and wonders how he managed to bring the taste of real food into his restaurant. Something will always be missing from the experience.