7 Street Foods You Have to Try in Sao Paulo, Brazil

2. Kibe

Saindo kibe cru… #delicia #kibe #quibe #casinhadaaninha #saborcomamor

A photo posted by Casinha Da Aninha (@casinhadaaninha) on Jan 5, 2016 at 11:13am PST

Kibe (keebee) is a traditional Middle-Eastern dish. Kibe is made from minced beef or lamb mixed with bulgur wheat. You’ll find this fried, baked or raw. Due to Brazil’s multicultural population, you’ll find a lot of Middle-Eastern, specifically Lebanese, influence in the street food in São Paulo. The spelling of this delicious snack can vary from kibe, quibe to kibbeh. The fried version works as a charm as a quick snack and you’ll find them on most street corners.

3. Açai na tigela

Açaí com frutas e granola! I R R E S I S T I V E L!!! #instacool #icedesert #acaibowl #acai #acainatigela #pratosaudavel #sobremesafitness #fitness #vemverao

A photo posted by Coma Bem Curitiba💪🏼😋 (@comabembrasil) on Jan 6, 2016 at 7:29am PST

Açai na tigela is a Brazilian specialty made from the frozen açai berries that grow in the Amazon. Açai is a well-known super food all over the world. It’s low in sugar, high in antioxidants, good in fats, proteins and vitamins. The most common version usually comes with granola, banana, and guaraná syrup. You can add more fruits or blended it all together. It has been hugely popular in the coast of Brazil for decades, but açai became a staple in São Paulo around 10 years ago. You can find it in many street kiosks, juice bars, and some cafes.

4. Caldinho de feijão

homemade caldinho e a cerveja mais carioca de todas! #loverio #caldinhodefeijao #friendlybean #antarctica #homesweethome #riodejaneiro #encasita #beer #lovebeer #amofeijao

A photo posted by Paola Avila (@lolaavila) on Dec 12, 2015 at 9:54am PST

Caldinho de feijão is a simpler version of Brazil’s national dish, feijoada. This nutritious soup, made from black beans, usually is served in bars and botecos in coffee mugs. Paulistas love to have caldinho de feijão when it’s cold outside and we like it spicy. If you love beans and chilli, you’ve found your favorite snack in Brazil.

5. Pastel

#food #pastel #pastelBrazil #pastelBrasil #pastelBR #pastelLorenaSP #pleasure #happiness #enjoyable

A photo posted by Victor Gajardoni (@victorgajardoni) on Jul 22, 2012 at 8:12am PDT

This thin, fried-to-perfection, square of love is São Paulo’s comfort food. Pastels can be filled with anything. They originated from the traditional Chinese egg rolls and was popularized by immigrants who had to adjust their cuisine to Brazilian ingredients. But the pastel only went from 0 to hero when the Japanese arrived during the WWII. Pastéis (pastel in the plural) are so tasty you can’t even imagine. And the best pastel you can have is in São Paulo. You can find some good pastel in other states but the reality is that the Japanese and Chinese are in São Paulo, no one can compete with that culinary influence.

6. Mandioca frita

Mandioca e Caipirinha pra um otimo Domingo! #mandiocafrita #cachaça #adoro #domingobrasileiro #largodaordem #curitiba #curitibacidadedagente

A photo posted by Alice Azzoni (@aliswonderland91) on Nov 8, 2015 at 1:12pm PST

Mandioca frita or aipim frito (cassava chips) is one of the most popular and largely consumed snack in São Paulo and the rest of Brazil. The cassava plant has various names all over the world. You might know it as manioc, aipim, yuca or macaxeira. In south-east Brazil, you’ll hear it being referred to as mandioca or aipim, but that will vary in other areas of Brazil. Mandioca is consumed in many forms. In São Paulo, the most popular way to prepare the vegetable is mandioca frita. It’s a perfect substitute for your regular french fries. Order a big porção when you’re sitting outside in a bar, drinking caipirinhas and beers, you won’t regret it.

7. Pão de queijo

Minha mãe e o dom de boicotar minha dieta 😅 #pãodequeijo #delicia #gordice #umsópode

A photo posted by Nayara Silva (@nayara_s_) on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:06pm PST

I have to warn you, pão de queijo are very addictive. These delicious cheesy balls are made from cheese and cassava starch. Commonly we enjoy these as a snack or for breakfast. Freshly baked in every São Paulo’s bakery in the morning, pão de queijo can be easily found. The first word, pão, is a bit tricky to pronounce. The “ão” sounds like AU with a short M on the end of it. If you can’t get your tongue around the pronunciation, point and smile.