麻豆APP

The best street food market in St. Louis

St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. 

In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which extends into Illinois, had an estimated population of over 2.8 million.

This makes it the largest metropolitan area in Missouri, the second-largest in Illinois, and the 20th-largest in the United States.

1. The BAO 

Image by Sang Hyun Cho from Pixabay

The Bao makes fresh buns everyday and that is their key.鈥� This is what its owner and executive chef RJ Xu, says of his Clayton restaurant鈥檚 namesake dish.

Xu offers a selection of 鈥渓ittle bao,鈥� as well as several larger sandwiches served on those steamed dome-top buns.

The BAO does a winning rendition of the classic Taiwanese pork belly gua bao but also serves Korean fried chicken, wagyu, and Impossible burger variations. 

Location: 14 N Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

Phone: (314) 899-9089

2. Tasti-Tea

Photo by Lan Pham on Unsplash

This newly opened storefront in University City is the ideal place to discover a variety of Chinese street foods under one roof.

The owner, Lei Qian, recruited his aunt to replicate the taste of jianbing from his native Tianjin.

Aside from that popular breakfast item, there are Chinese-style meat pies, chive pastries, and a regional specialty called roujiamo, and slow-cooked pork belly on toasted flatbread, Otherwise referred to as 鈥渢he Chinese hamburger.鈥� 

Location: 567 – A Melville, St Louis, Missouri 63130

Phone:  314-899-9688

3. Big Jay鈥檚 Fish & Shrimp

Image by inguaribile_viaggiatore from Pixabay

At Big Jay’s, the whole fried catfish alone is worth a try at this takeout-only spot. While there, you can  try the chicken wings, shrimp-stuffed po鈥� boys, and hushpuppies.

There’s an Aficionados stage front-seat picnics in an adjacent parking lot. They open everyday from 10.30 AM to 8.00 PM

Location: 9701 St Charles Rock Rd, St Louis, MO 63114

Phone: (314) 423-2445

4. BLK MKT Eats

Image by Design n Print from Pixabay

As a sushi place, BLK MKT eats is a place whose simple concept is quite attractive. Their burrito- sized sushi rolls stuffed with fresh ingredients is something to look forward to.

Some of the populars at BLK include: The spicy and crunchy OG Krilla, filled with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, Persian cucumber, avocado, tempura crunch, jalape帽o, and masago, accentuated with the OG Fire and unagi sauce.

They open everyday from 12.00PM to 7.00 PM

Location: 9 S Vandeventer Ave St Louis, MO 63108

Phone: (314) 391-5100

5. Corner 17 

Photo by Hkyu Wu on Unsplash

Corner 17 is another street food arkwt in st Louis that specializes in Chinese cuisine.

The owner’s menu, Ivan Wei鈥檚, includes snacks from his childhood.  He says, 鈥淲hen I was a student in China, a bunch of kids would walk home together, and we we鈥檇 always buy these snacks at the entrance of the school.鈥�

Today, visit The Loop to try deep-fried sesame balls filled with red bean paste and fluffy ice desserts, and tea eggs (boiled and cracked before being infused again with hot tea).

Wei plans to add roujiamo, a Shaanxi province specialty: stewed pork or beef on a flatbread-style bun. 6623 Delmar.

Location: 6623 Delmar Blvd, St Louis, MO 63130

Phone: (314) 727-2402

6. Cube Tea Studio

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Cube tea studio is a unique joint as they specialize in serving different kinds and variety of tea.

It may not sound appetizing perse, but cheese tea is big business across Asia right now. There are very few venues in St Louis that offer them thus why Cube Tea is definitely a place to check out if interested in trying out their tea.

You can choose from traditional teas and fruit teas, topped with a thick layer of salted cream cheese for an unexpectedly enjoyable contrast of textures and flavors. 

It opens every week from Tuesday to Sunday; 11.30 AM to 8.30 PM.

Location: 604 Washington Ave Saint Louis, MO 63101

7. Kalbi Taco Shack

Photo by micheile dot com on Unsplash

This joint is the perfect merge of Asian- and Mexican-inspired flavors. Kalbi鈥檚 teriyaki chicken taco is the kind that promises to blow your mind no matter how many times you try it out.

Their unique fusion cuisine incorporates a little bit of everything from Chinese cuisines to Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese flavors that blend with Mexican-style entrees like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and many more.

All their dishes are prepared fresh daily and cooked  using quality meats and fresh ingredients. Everything is house-made and fresh.

They also offer vegetarian and vegan options served with delicious saut茅ed tofu or the sweet and spicy jackfruit.

In addition, they open everyday from 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM

Location: 2301 Cherokee St, St Louis, MO 63118

Phone: (314) 240-5544

8. El Morelia Supermercado

Photo by dimitri.photography on Unsplash

Found also in St Louis, El Morelia is a typical street food joint that is highly praised by customers for serving amazing tacos. The tacos are ordered and assembled on the spot and eaten at a few tables you will find  inside.

The fresh sides and huge salsa bowls are all you need for dressing. 

Location: 12005 St Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044

Phone: (314) 209-0014

9. Taqueria El Bronco

Image by Constanze Riechert-Kurtze from Pixabay

Open everyday from 10.00 AM to 9.00 PM, Taqueria El Bronco stands out since staff and owners treat customers like family, and the food and flavors are very authentically Mexican.

Many people prefer this joint for its authentic Mexican food and a friendly familial atmosphere.

It is a great place to have lunch given their tacos are all people talk about, complete with meat as well as vegetarian options. They also serve amazing wines and beer from local brewers  if interested in having a drink or two.

They open everyday from 10.00 AM to 9.30 PM.

Location: 2817 Cherokee St Saint Louis, MO 63118

Phone: (314) 762-0691

10. The Vine Mediterranean Caf茅 and Market

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

This is a middle eastern themed street food market that caters to large immigrant populations residing in the area. 

The stores make it easier for immigrants to acclimate to St. Louis and introduce the native St. Louisans to a multicultural palate.

Representing Mediterranean tastes and cuisines, The Vine Market carries a great variety of Lebanese, Moroccan, and Greek foodstuffs, desserts, and beverages.

They open everyday from 11.00 AM to 9.00 PM.

Disclaimer: If you are visiting for the first time, be courageous and take risks. Baklava is made fresh every week, but it goes fast, so don’t wait until Friday to try it. 

Location: 3171 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63118

Phone: (314) 776-0991