This month, Elisha Young explores Cambridge’s thriving food truck scene – and returns with plenty of recommendations
If you think about it, we’re almost conditioned as children to get excited by food trucks. Who hasn’t felt a nostalgic stirring at the sound of the jaunty jingle from a passing ice cream van? That childhood excitement never fades, it just changes.

Tibet Flavour can both be found at Ely Market
My love affair with mobile food moved into a new era when I first started dating my boyfriend – we snuck away during our lunch breaks to order Buffalo Joe’s fried chicken. We sat on a bench to eat it without using cutlery, and ended up completely covered in hot sauce… but it remains some of the best fried chicken I’ve ever had. We ordered the Korean wings and Honey G wings, in case you’re wondering.
Cambridge is lucky enough to have a plethora of food vans offering up diverse and lesser-known cuisines, all served in convenient locations and at a very reasonable price point. If you’re interested in trying out food trucks near you, foodPark hosts a weekly rotation of vendors at locations across the city. Check out foodparkcam.com for the full schedule – you can even use the website to pre-order from many of the vans, saving the stress of panic-selecting a menu item at the front of the queue.
For those located further afield, it has a sister business called Off the Beaten Truck that operates in Alconbury Weald, Northstowe, Saffron Walden, Wintringham and Waterbeach. And if you live near Ely, there’s Foodie Friday at the market on the last Friday of each month. More than 20 food vans park up and serve their food from 4pm to 8.30pm, with plenty of benches to sit on and live music to enjoy.
For specific recommendations, here are just a few of my favourites…
From the east…

Guerrilla Kitchen offers a take on dough done right
Guerrilla Kitchen specialises in pillowy-soft bao filled with Asian-inspired flavours. Although I am a fan of the melt-in-the-mouth pork belly, the menu has impressive vegan options too – from crispy fried tofu in a rich satay sauce to tempura mushroom in a sticky soy glaze. A top pick for meat eaters and plant-based foodies alike.
While we’re on the subject of vegan food, it’s hard to go wrong with Tibet Flavour. Run by Tenzin and his wife Sertso, this food van offers a choice of curries, noodles and dhal, but I always go for the vegan momos (pan-fried dumplings) with a generous heaping of garlic, soy sauce and the fantastic (but fiery) homemade chilli oil. They may look unassuming, but one of my friends told me he will drive out of his way just to get his hands on the momos – they really are that addictive.
Meanwhile, Manna Seoul is relatively new to the scene but already beloved. Ian and Lan dish up Korean corn dogs and fried chicken in various flavours – think crunchy potato K-dogs with a stretchy mozzarella filling, or spicy gochujang chicken chunks in a hefty wrap. However, you can sometimes also get your hands on deep-fried chocolate bars, a ‘you have to try it once’ item that I found surprisingly moreish, though I did share it with two other friends to lessen the sugar hit.
…to the west

Gino’s Pizza serves more than just pizza
If you’re in the mood for something more European, Pizza Mondo and Gino’s Pizza are excellent choices. They both serve Neopolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven and use high-quality ingredients. You can’t go wrong with a classic, so I usually end up ordering a simple margherita. Both food vans use San Marzano tomatoes, Fior di Latte mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil, so their renditions of this dish are fantastic. If you’re more interesting than me, Pizza Mondo offers funghi, pepperoni, capricciosa and carne toppings, as well as some dangerously tasty crust-dunking dips. Gino’s serves cheesy garlic bread, plus veggie and vegan options, and often has dessert options like pistachio tiramisu or fried dough sticks with Nutella. Buon appetito!
Last but not least is an icon of the Cambridge food scene: Steak & Honour. These are the best local burgers made using pasture-fed Norfolk beef patties, Grain Culture milk buns and an array of toppings – including smoked bacon, American cheese, hot sauce, gherkins and caramelised onions. An honourable mention goes to the Plant Mitchell: a seriously good veggie burger that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out.
Did I manage to get your mouth watering? Now the weather’s getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to start exploring our diverse food truck scene. If you’re planning a first date, don’t make the same mistake as me: remember to grab lots of paper napkins before you dive in!
See Elisha’s Instagram @elisha.eats and read May’s article for up-to-date reviews of eats around Cambridge