Canada has a lot to offer when it comes to street food. Number one — poutine — is now becoming increasingly popular in German-speaking countries as well. Here is an overview of some of the most famous street food treats from Canada. Of course, the list is far from complete.
Poutine is probably Canadians' ultimate comfort food and, despite its origin from Québec, has captivated the entire country. The secret lies in the perfect combination of ingredients: crispy fries, gravy and cheese curds! And these cheese curds in particular are essential, because their special texture causes them to squeak while chewing and cannot be imitated with alternatives such as mozzarella. There are several origin stories about the origin of poutine. Which of these is true will probably never be fully clarified. But it is certain that Canada and poutine are now inextricably linked and are perfect for a quick snack or as comfort food. Many nights of dancing all night end with a portion of poutine. In addition to the classic version, it is often served with additional toppings such as pulled pork, mushrooms or caramelized onions. There are no limits to your imagination. Original cheese curds from Québec and the matching poutine sauce can be found in our marketplace.
Although this hearty meat pie is traditionally a holiday dish, it is also occasionally found as street food, especially at festivals. It consists of a seasoned meat mixture, such as pork and beef, coated in puff pastry. The Tourtière dates back to when Québec was a French settlement. Tourtière is a derivative of cipaille, a traditional British dish known as “sea pie,” first mentioned in a cookbook in 1796. The meaty dish has since established itself in French-Canadian culture and is now a tradition across the country.
The iconic sandwich is a Canadian staple, and although it's often copied, Montréal reigns supreme when it comes to the smoked meat sandwich. Montréal Smoked Meat is a close relative of the popular New York pastrami and a cousin of corned beef. Thin slices of smoky, salty beef are layered between two thin slices of rye bread and served with spicy mustard and pickles. The brisket used is seasoned with a variety of spices (most restaurants have their very own secret blends) and smoked using Eastern European methods.
This treat is fried pastry in the shape of a beaver tail — crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are often topped with various sweet toppings, such as cinnamon and sugar, chocolate, or fruit. The Canadian public favorite has become a culinary landmark in Canada, but its association with the national symbol, the beaver, sets it apart even more.
The Beaver Tails flagship store opened in Ottawa's popular Byward Market in 1980, but it wasn't until the Beaver Tail appeared on the Rideau Canal in the winter of 1981 that it became the iconic dish it is today. The pastries were associated with a good ice skating trip on the canal and were sold directly there. Since then, the sweet flatbreads have been sold millions of times. There's always a queue - but it's worth it!
Is there anything more Canadian than the fusion of two delicious food cultures? The Japadog combines the classic fast food dish hot dog with Japanese toppings and toppings, such as teriyaki sauce, seaweed and wasabi mayo.
Noriki Tamura and his wife Misa immigrated to Canada in 2005 with dreams of opening a food truck. Tamura originally wanted to sell crepes, but the City of Vancouver's strict food regulations prevented his crepe dreams from becoming a reality, so he devoted himself to the only food allowed on the city's streets at the time: hot dogs. Tamura could have been content with selling regular hot dogs with ketchup and mustard, but incorporating his Japanese heritage made his food truck popular. The Japadog was born.
The crescent-shaped dumplings are ubiquitous in Canadian cuisine. In the town of Glendon, Alberta, there is even an 8-meter-tall statue honoring the dish, which originally came from Eastern Europe. While the name can be spelled a few different ways, everyone agrees on one thing: they're delicious. Whatever you prefer, the historical root of the word is Slavic and means "celebration." Typically pierogi are dumplings filled with potatoes and cheese, which are then either boiled, fried or tossed in lots of butter. In Canada, pierogi are served as a main course and topped with a variety of toppings, such as caramelized onions and sour cream. Pierogi can also be served sweet, filled with blueberries or Saskatoon berries and with various sauces and toppings.
The pride of Halifax is - a sandwich. In 2015, the donair was named the official food of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the only city in Canada to have it. While visitors crave lobster, locals know that donair is Haligonians' signature dish. Donair and kebab are related, but not the same. The base of the dish is shredded ground beef that is slowly fried on a vertical spit. The seasoned meat is layered on a pita bread and then topped with diced tomatoes, raw onions and donair sauce. The sauce is the be-all and end-all and consists of a combination of condensed milk, vinegar, sugar and garlic. There is no tzatziki and certainly no salad or pickles.
With its Turkish and Greek influences, Halifax Donair (perfectly) reflects the multicultural landscape of Canadian cuisine.
Canadian delicacies are as diverse as the country itself and are often the result of the unique mix of cultures and culinary influences of the various immigrant nations. However, a few absolute classics beyond street food must be mentioned here: