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The History of Street Food
Appears in
By Hinnerk von Bargen and Culinary Institute of America
Published 2015
Throughout history, food for the common people has been produced and consumed as a communal affair. Retreating to one’s private quarters to eat a meal alone or in a very small group is a relatively recent development, found mostly in industrialized regions. Interestingly, many cultures struggle to understand the importance of privacy in the western world. In some other languages, the word privacy actually has a negative connotation, often associated with isolation or exclusion.
In the cities and towns of ancient civilizations, food was hawked in public places. The majority of urban dwellings during that time did not have a kitchen, and most food was purchased already prepared. Trajan’s Market, inaugurated in Rome in 113 c.e., consisted of administrational offices and shops selling cheeses, fresh meats, wine, or prepared dishes. To ensure food safety and wholesomeness, the food distribution to and from this market was overseen by a sophisticated system of government-appointed health inspectors. Today, the ruins of this market are a major tourist attraction, often referred to as Rome’s oldest shopping mall.