Healthy street food options to try in the UAE

The Operation: Falafel food truck at Last Exit, the E11. Pawan Singh / The National

Sit-down restaurants are not the only ones in tune with the healthy eating push, food trucks across the country too are responding to consumers’ increasing demands. Here are a selection of street food concepts serving food you can feel good – or at least better – about eating.

SoCal Cocina

A new food truck in Abu Dhabi that serves up traditional Southern California fare such as grilled fish tacos. You can build your own tacos (opt for the gluten-free corn tortillas) and burritos by first choosing a protein such as grilled chicken, grilled fish or grass-fed steak and then piling on healthy toppings including black beans, quinoa, heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, purple cabbage and more. The truck’s motto says it all: “Eat Healthy, Live Well”. You’ll find SoCal Cocina at Umm Al Emarat Park and food festivals across the capital.

The Diet House

Reopening this week, this truck at Al Bateen is loaded with wheat bread and gluten-free oatmeal honey bread, chicken breast, tuna, eggs and zero-fat cheese. Condiments include light ketchups and mayonnaises, while toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions are simple, fresh and healthy. The Diet House is in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi. The concept, which started in Doha, also has four brick and mortar locations around the UAE capital.

Fatta

A gourmet food truck that describes itself as ‘Arabic food to go’. Dishes on offer include stuffed grape leaves and strained yogurt bowls with layers of flavour that include superfoods such as pomegranate seeds and pine nuts, all served up with a stack of bread. The Fatta food truck pops up at food festivals around the country.

Asian5

The team behind this concept opened a second branch in August in the Al Murooj complex near the Dubai Mall. This eatery serves up modern street food that takes its inspiration from five Asian countries: Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Singapore. While it’s not technically a food truck, this is the epitome of street food – and the emphasis is on health. The menu includes wraps and salads such as a grilled beef strip wrap with cucumbers, cabbage and sweet chili lime sauce; a grilled chicken salad with avocado, egg and veggies; and a roasted chicken wrap with cucumbers, spring onions, coriander and lettuce.

Casa Latina

This food van whips up Latin American cuisine with a focus on flavours from Venezuela. It’s not all healthy here – there’s lots of cheese – but this truck serves up gluten-free corn cakes filled with black beans, pulled beef, crumbly white cheese and sweet plantains. It’s a great, hearty option for those who want gluten-free fare. This truck turns up at food festivals around the country. You can catch them at the Abu Dhabi Science Festival in Khalifa Park until November 18 and they’ll be at the Ripe Market in Zabeel Park, Dubai, on November 24.

Operation: Falafel

With a handful of locations around Dubai, this concept offers an authentic street food experience, perhaps the most authentic of which is their food truck at Last Exit on Sheikh Zayed Road. Healthy options include a falafel salad, quinoa tabbouleh, chicken breast salad, a turkey and cheese wrap and more.

Taste of Brazil

Don’t miss this one at Kite Beach in Dubai. This truck serves up Brazilian street food such as gluten-free yuca fries, gluten-free tapioca beiju (a Brazilian speciality), fresh fruit popsicles and a vegan Acai bowl with Amazonian berries and a choice of three toppings such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, coconut, granola and chia seeds.

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