Do you want Indulge in World Cuisine at single place : Destination is New York City

When I arrived first time in New York City, what I liked most was a feeling of liberation which I had never ever felt any where across the globe. For the first time I felt that I am into a crucible where all kind of races, creeds, communities are melted and prepared a unique kind of recipe. At a time when countries and Regions are becoming more rigid in terms of fanatism in the name of religion, language or culture this city is going strong on its own blend of music, drama, dance or food. For the first time, while transiting Sub Way Stations, I could learn the meaning of Underground Music, that I will talk at length nest time.

But at the moment I will concentrate only on the kind of food from different continents within 5 to 10 km area called Manhattan, the heart and soul of New York City. The highlight of food is the food stalls seen on the road side every where, reminds our very own Mumbai City. Being a vegetarian I always had a fear that while travelling abroad whether I will get some thing or will remain on milk, bread or juices. But these road side stalls provide a number of vegetarian options also.

Food from Africa is a common sight here  as a sizeable population has its roots in Africa. Those who were brought from Africa as labourers have not forgotten their culinary skills many among them caters African food. There is Eritrrean meal that include injera, a delicate flatbread made of teff or wheat grains cultivated in the highland regions of Africa. It is normally served with flavourful stews simmered with curry powder and cimmin seeds. Eritrrean region is closer to coast so their cuisines  includes seafood specialities but there is plenty of vegetarian delights also. Timtimo is prepared with red lentils and some exotic herbs and then there is Shiro, the puréed chickpeas. The food is served with home brewed beer called Sowa. Then there is South African stuff which is greatly  influenced by Portugalese, Malaysian, English and Indian culinary traditions. They serve exotic meats like ostrich and oxtail, vegetarians can be consoled with mushroom-saffron sauté flavoured with chutneys or cottage cheese simmered in Malay spices especially at Braai, Hell's Kitchen.

Then there are Laotian cuisines from SE Asia at a place called Khe-Yo in Manhattan. The first round of sticy rice is served with eggplant purée and a spicy sauce called bang bang. Their crunchyCoconut-Rice   cakes and wok-fried glass noodles can be enjoyed with the veggies or meat/seafood dish.

Every body in India is now familiar with Mexican cuisines Nacho, Takos, Barito but here in Manhattan you may try Venezuelan food which is having ethnic influences with an ancestral European touch. At East Village area there is a place called Las Caracas Arepa Bar serving some of the choicest Venezuelan cuisines like corn flat bread arepa which is stuffed with mashed black beans, plantains, vegetables, hot sauce and plenty of options for meat lovers.

In the Morningside Heights there is a good place called Freda's Caribbean & Soul Cuisine serving home made roti very much similar to our romali roti rolled with calla loo a curry like stew, traditionally seasoned with green herb and oil based marinade that gives it a distinct flavour. You may select candied yams or veggies, meats or seafood to the roti, enjoy gigantic portions of sweet sorrel, a cooler that gives you a scent of Carribean Islands.

Yemeni food is quite common on roadside stalls. Their most favourite dish is saltah, a sumptuous meat stew served in a bowl with traditional Yemeni bread. I enjoyed their veggie stuff fassolia, sautéed kidney beans topped with the typical spice mixture called hawaij, very tasty indeed.

We in India do not know Danish food beyond Danish Pastry. There is a place in Manhattan called Copenhagen where authentic food from Denmark is in plenty. It is famous for its s'more rod, the freshly baked rye bread topped with fresh herring, meats and veggies, and frikadeller the Danish meatballs. For veggies like me Danish Cheese, potatoes and rye bead are few options here.

Then there are stalls serving hot dogs, doughnuts, idli dosa sambhar, German spaetzles are also seen on a number places.