Latin America is legendary for its scrumptious meals, and Colombia doesn’t disappoint. In truth, sampling Colombian meals is likely one of the high causes to go to Colombia. Like its nation, Colombian delicacies is numerous and thrilling.
You could spot the odd Caribbean meals or Peruvian dish in these 28 finest dishes – Colombian delicacies is massively influenced by its surrounding areas and colonial historical past. The nation is break up into six areas, every of which has its personal regional specialties as nicely. Remember that there are regional variations when touring round Colombia’s must-see cities – you don’t need to miss out on a specialty dish.
28 Traditional Colombian Dishes
Ready to discover the most effective Colombian meals? Whether you need to try some Colombian delicacies at home or are visiting Colombia and are excited to try native dishes, this information will introduce you to the most effective. We’ll cowl every part, from Empanadas to Frijoles Rojos. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Colombian Empanadas
Colombian empanadas have been a favourite dish since colonial occasions. Its look is very like a Cornish pasty, and the pastry is folded over with a filling inside. It’s straightforward to spot with its attribute semi-circle form and pinched edge.
You’ll discover floor meat, potatoes, cheese, and hogao (tomato salsa sauce) inside. Of course, there are some recipe variations – particularly for meat-free variations of the dish. Colombian empanadas are simple to make at home and scrumptious to eat in Colombia. If you need a fast, straightforward snack, empanadas are probably the greatest Colombian dishes.
If you need to try an empanada earlier than you journey to Colombia, you’ll be able to comply with this recipe to make your personal at home.
2. Pandebono
The legend behind pandebono is that an Italian baker residing in Cali created the bread. When he bought it, he used to stroll the streets shouting ‘pane del buono’ (good bread); the title caught, and the bread grew to become one of the vital fashionable Colombian meals.
So, what’s it precisely? The bread can be nicknamed Colombian cheese bread, which ought to offer you a very good trace. It is made with melted cheese, yuca flour, and eggs and formed into bagel or ball shapes. You can eat pandebono at breakfast, as road meals, or as a facet at dinner – it’s a versatile dish. Remember that it’s best eaten when it’s nonetheless heat out of the oven. Pandebono is a dish supposed to be eaten as contemporary as doable.
To get in the temper on your Colombian travels, make your personal Pandebono at home with this recipe.
3. Bandeja Paisa
Bandeja paisa might be essentially the most iconic Colombian meals in this information. Some even go so far as to name it the nationwide dish. Bandeja paisa is a platter-styled meal with an assortment of meats, a fried egg, white rice, corn, plantain, pink beans, and an avocado. The meats embody minced beef and chorizo sausage to chicharron. You’ll often discover an Arepa on the plate, too (extra on that later).
Bandeja paisa is typical of Colombia’s Antioquia area and, like frijoles rojos, was excellent for employees spending lengthy days in the mountains and on farms. Bandeja paisa packs a nutritious punch and is filled with protein and carbohydrates. It stays a preferred lunch alternative and is one to try for those who go to Colombia. Make your recipe at home by following this recipe.
4. Frijoles Rojos
Frijoles Rojos is a particular Colombian dish that makes use of cargamento beans, additionally known as pink beans. This Colombian meals is especially wholesome, and pink beans are an ideal supply of iron, potassium, low-fat protein, and fiber. It is a stew-like concoction, and the pink beans are combined with tomatoes, onion, and garlic. It is then often served on high of a portion of rice.
Frijoles rojos was initially a laborer’s meal. It is budget-friendly and filled with power and vitamins – excellent for fueling a tough day at work. However, Frijoles Rojos have develop into a extensively eaten dish in Colombian delicacies. Watch this straightforward video to make it your self.
5. Bananos Calados
Bananos calados is one among Colombia’s finest desserts and comes from the Quindio area, close to the Andes. It won’t look (or sound) appetizing, however it’s simply one of many tastiest meals you’ll be able to try from Colombian delicacies. The dessert consists of fried bananas combined with lime juice and served with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, making a candy but tangy deal with on your tastebuds. Occasionally, you might also discover the lime juice changed by orange juice and cinnamon – so preserve your eye out for any distinctive recipes.
Colombia has numerous native fruit, and you may simply see that this has impressed many conventional recipes. Bananos calados are one meals to try in order for you to expertise Colombia’s dessert scene. Make this scrumptious candy at home to convey again recollections of your travels to Colombia.
6. Chicharron Colombiano
Chicharron Colombiano is fried pork stomach, a hearty dish lined in onions, bay leaves, and seasoning for a wonderful style. Chicharron is filled with taste and served with a crisp texture that has been perfected over generations of cooking. It is a typical dinner dish and is related to household and custom.
The dish is typical of Colombia’s Andean area. However, it originated in Spain and was launched to Colombia by Spanish colonizers. The Spanish recipe varies enormously; rind or stomach cuts can be utilized, in contrast to the Colombian model. You’ll discover that almost all international locations in Latin America have their very own model of chicharron. Get prepared to try as many alternative variations as doable. Colombia has since taken a agency spin on the dish, although, and chicharron has nicely and really entered Colombian delicacies.
7. Coconut rice
Forget white rice; coconut rice is the tastiest. As its title could counsel, coconut rice is cooked with coconuts, giving it a yummy taste and getting it a spot on this checklist as a meal in its personal proper. There are two predominant methods coconut rice is ready: cooking it in coconut milk or mixing it with shredded coconut. Cooking it in coconut milk is the most effective, as you get a stronger coconut taste.
The historical past of coconut rice is a little bit of a thriller. The dish is scattered throughout the globe, particularly in Asia and South America. However, since coconuts are one among Colombia’s most typical tropical fruits, it’s no thriller why they’re so prevalent in Colombian delicacies. If you get the possibility to try it, coconut rice is a tasty dish.
8. Pescado Frito
Pescado Frito is a basic, conventional Colombian meals. Pescado Frito interprets as fried fish and is served entire, with pores and skin and head intact. It generally is a little daunting for those who aren’t used to consuming fish like this. However, you’ll quickly be gained over, as cooking the fish in its pores and skin boosts its taste and retains the fish meat moist. You can count on a lot juicer meat than you’d get consuming fillets and fish steaks.
In Colombia, the fried fish is often mojarra or pink snapper. The fish is sliced after which flavored with lime and seasoning, usually sitting in the juice for some time to actually take in the flavour. It is served with rice, plantain, and salad – the proper lunch dish.
9. Arepa de Huevo
Arepa de huevo is a variation of ordinary arepas, that are fried corn muffins. Arepas are a massively fashionable breakfast meals and are additionally thought-about considerably of a consolation meals. Arepa de huevo are one of many tastiest variations with egg. Preparing them includes frying a corn cake, splitting it, and filling it with an egg, then frying it once more to prepare dinner the egg inside. The result’s a fried egg coated in fried bread.
It is not any shock that arepas de huevos are one of the vital fashionable dishes – particularly for breakfast. They are served in stacks (like pancakes) as a standalone dish. Just decide your sauce to match, salsa and bitter cream are nice selections. See this recipe to get up with a style of Colombia.
10. Sopa de Pollo
Sopa de pollo interprets as rooster soup, and it’s one other comforting meal in Colombian delicacies. It is honest to say that it’s in all probability the commonest Colombian soup and is extensively eaten throughout the nation. The rooster soup can be filled with plantain, corn, potatoes, and yuca. In truth, it’s so stuffed with elements that it usually seems extra like a stew than a soup.
Of course, rooster soup is discovered worldwide, however Colombia’s model is especially scrumptious. The mix of elements like plantain and yuca is rather more distinctive, and sometimes Colombian recipes use a whole rooster.
Sopa de pollo is a wonderful Colombian meals to try when visiting or to recreate at home. It is finest cooked slow-cooked and served piping sizzling and is a kind of one-pot dishes the entire household loves.
11. Morcilla
Morcilla is a blood sausage made with floor pork and pork blood. Morcillas are simply noticed due to their darkish, deep reddish-brown colour. They are a really conventional dish throughout Latin America. You shouldn’t have any drawback discovering some to try for those who go to Colombia. And for those who like black pudding, you’re in for a deal with.
Morcillas are ready from scratch, and the method includes squeezing the combination into sausage casings. The floor meat is combined with pork blood, onions, and rice earlier than being put into casings. Colombian recipes have a tendency to add cilantro and infrequently inexperienced peas as nicely. The sausages are then often boiled to prepare dinner.
12. Cazuela de Mariscos
Ready for a Colombian seafood dish? Cazuela de mariscos is likely one of the hottest Colombian dishes in coastal areas, particularly alongside the Caribbean Coast and Cartegena. It is a typical meals and seafood casserole or seafood stew – filled with every part from prawns to mussels and lobster. The meats are cooked in coconut milk with a mix of greens. You would possibly even have white wine and cheese added to the combo if you’re fortunate.
Cazuela de mariscos is an iconic dish when visiting Colombia’s shoreline. What is best than a contemporary seafood dish? Most of the time, the elements have been simply caught out of the Caribbean Sea. This is unquestionably one on your checklist if you go to Colombia. Or try making it at home with this yummy recipe.
13. Colombian Bunuelos
Bunuelos are deep-fried balls filled with contemporary cheese – an ideal afternoon snack or breakfast chew. Strangely sufficient, they’re usually served alongside sizzling chocolate and occasional, so you’ll be able to usually discover bunuelos at cafes in Colombia.
Bunuelos are one of the vital fashionable Colombian meals. The recipe creates dough from yucca flour, cornstarch, eggs, milk, and sugar. The deep-fried dough is then made, with the bunuelos organized into their attribute appetizer-sized ball form and floated in a pan of boiling vegetable oil.
It is assumed that bunuelos have been launched to Colombia by Spanish invaders. The snack is now eaten throughout Colombia as road meals and cafe or restaurant deal with. Bunuelos are particularly fashionable at Christmas time. We discovered this straightforward to comply with recipe on YouTube
14. Obleas
Obleas is not only a typical Colombian dish; it’s loved throughout Spain and Latin America. Obleas seems like a sandwich, and that’s exactly what it’s. The basic dessert consists of two wafers that sandwich a filling of dulce de leche and sometimes a mix of fruit, whipped cream, and jam. The Colombian model is nearly similar however provides one particular ingredient – Colombian caramel.
If you’ve acquired a candy tooth, obleas are probably the greatest typical Colombian desserts to try. You’ll discover them all over the place, from cafes to road stalls.
15. Lechona
Lechona is a Colombian meals for particular events. The dish consists of an entire roasted pig full of onions, peas, potatoes, pork fats, white rice, garlic, and spices like cumin. After the pig has had its bones eliminated and has been stuffed, it’s positioned in the oven and slow-cooked (usually for up to ten hours).
Needless to say, lechona is meant to be the culinary masterpiece of the desk. It is a dish designed to be shared with massive teams of individuals if you need to splash out on a elaborate meal. You will usually discover particular person servings of lechona at eating places round Colombia, although, so preserve your eyes peeled.
16. Cholado
Let’s set Colombian meals apart for a second. Cholado is likely one of the finest drinks in Colombia, so let’s introduce you. The drink is a refreshing combination of shaved ice, contemporary fruit, and sweetened condensed milk. Depending on the place you get one, you might also discover the drink served with ice cream, wafers, and whipped cream.
Cholado originates from Jamundi in Valle de Cauca. It is a mixture between dessert, fruit cocktail, and drink – ticking all of the containers creatively and deliciously. If you’re keen on contemporary fruit and candy treats, it’s a nice drink to try when visiting Colombia, but easy sufficient to recreate at home.
17. Carimanola
Carimanolas are straightforward to spot. The tiny fritters are formed into attribute torpedo shapes, often served in bulk as bitesize appetizers. They are a standard Colombian meals, though you’ll additionally discover carimanolas in different Southern American international locations like Panama.
Inside, carimanolas are full of floor beef or shredded rooster, cheese, and seasoning. The fritters are then deep-fried to create a kind of meat pie. They are mild and crispy on the skin but smooth on the within. More usually than not, carimanolas include aji sauce. This vivid inexperienced sauce primarily consists of cilantro and is sweet and spicy – the proper facet. Want to try them earlier than your travels? Head over to comply with this recipe
18. Colombian Sopa de Mondongo
While mondongo usually has a stew-like consistency, it’s truly one other typical Colombian soup. The soup consists of onion, potato, beef tripe, chorizo, and pork, all served piping sizzling in a small bowl. It is a extremely conventional Colombian meals, and also you’ll discover mondongo at most eating places throughout the nation.
Like many Colombian dishes, sopa de mondongo is believed to have been launched by Spanish colonizers. The tomato-based soup has been firmly adopted into the Colombian culinary scene, although, and Colombian variations of the recipe have a particular twist.
19. Fritanga
Fritanga is a platter dish. The dish is extensively bought amongst road meals distributors and consists of a mix of meals heaped onto a big plate – often barbecued on the road. So, what meals will you discover in fritanga? Usually, chorizo, sausage, plantain, and a mix of greens.
Fritanga is a Nicaraguan dish, though it has develop into adopted into Colombian delicacies. The story behind its origin is a tragic one. The meal was first created after the 1931 earthquake, which hit Nicaragua, and folks cooked meals on the road with barbecues.
Now, you’ll discover fritanga cooked throughout Latin America and Colombia. It is a historic, tasty, and filling dish to try.
20. Bocadillo
A bocadillo is a scrumptious Colombian meals made with guava paste – a product of a preferred tropical fruit. The dish is extraordinarily candy and a particular deal with and dessert. It has a melt-in-your-mouth texture however is in any other case not sticky to the contact. Bocadillos solely require just a few elements, largely panela and guava pulp, so they’re simple to make in order for you to recreate the dish at home.
You’ll usually discover bocadillos served at cafes, often alongside a slice of salty white cheese. They come lower into little rectangles or squares and are the proper bitesize treats.
21. Aborrajados
Aborrajados are one dish that you simply don’t discover as simply. It originated in the Valley de Cauca and is a regional specialty. The inventive (if barely bizarre-sounding) dish consists of deep-fried plantain full of cheese to create a crispy, wholesome cheese chew. The best possible place to try aborrajados is in the area of the Valley de Cauca itself, the place you’ll discover the dish most prevalently anyway.
Aborrajados are served as snacks or appetizers earlier than a big meal. Don’t rule out the dish at pudding time, although, as you’ll be able to add guava paste to the fried dish to create a candy deal with for dessert.
22. Arroz con Pollo
Arroz con pollo actually interprets as rice with rooster. It is a straightforward however staple Colombian meals and very like Spanish paella. The dish consists of rice, rooster, onion, and greens, with saffron tossed by means of the combination for extra taste.
If you need a filling dish, arroz con pollo is an excellent alternative. Plus, it’s straightforward to discover and is extensively served at eating places and road vendor stalls throughout Colombia. It is believed that arroz con pollo originated in Spain whereas the nation was underneath Moorish affect. When Spanish colonizers arrived in Colombia, it’s presumed that the dish was launched to Colombian meals tradition.
23. Cocadas Blancas
We’ve lined tons from Colombia’s coastal area. But what a couple of dessert from the Caribbean Coast? Cocadas blancas is an excellent candy dessert on your checklist. The dish is made with a mixture of shredded coconut, sugar, milk, and coconut water. Depending on the place you try it, you might also discover additional elements like cinnamon – most individuals have their very own twist on the basic recipe.
Cocadas blancas are often bought on the road and alongside Colombia’s seashores. However, yow will discover them on dessert menus in eating places too. They are scrumptious meals, sticky and candy. You are in for a deal with making an attempt one.
24. Colombian Hot Chocolate
Speaking of desserts, sizzling chocolate is one other candy deal with that Colombia excels at. The Colombian model of sizzling chocolate is named Santafereno. It could be very totally different from the European and American variations of the drink. Instead of candy milk chocolate, the Colombian model makes use of darkish, unsweetened chocolate. Santafereno is often made in water, not milk, with cinnamon or cloves usually added to counteract any bitterness. It could sound unusual, however Colombians are additionally well-known for dipping cheese in their sizzling chocolate – which you will or could not need to try.
Another factor that’s essential to know is that Colombia has been utilizing chocolate for hundreds of years. Chocolate is comprised of cacao timber, that are discovered in areas of Colombia and the Amazon basin. Colombia isn’t alone both; cacao has been used all throughout Latin America way back to the Aztecs and Mayans.
25. Calentado
Calentado is a staple in Colombian gastronomy and is a dish rooted in recycling leftovers from the night time earlier than – its title actually interprets as ‘heated’. The dish was born out of poverty to restrict waste, however now it is likely one of the most conventional meals in Colombia.
The most typical elements in a calentado dish are white rice, plantain, and steak. It is then usually topped with a fried egg and arepas, maybe even served with a sizzling chocolate or espresso. By the character of the dish, calentado was primarily cooked at home. Of course, now you’ll discover it on menus throughout the nation. At eating places, you have a tendency to additionally discover avocado and sausage served alongside the usual elements.
26. Fried Plantain
Fried plantain is yummy Colombian meals. To the untrained eye, you could be forgiven for mistaking them for bananas. They look similar, besides plantains are a lot bigger, much less candy, and solely develop into ripe as soon as they flip black. In their yellow levels, plantains are excellent for frying, which is the place deep-fried plantain comes in.
The smartest thing about fried plantain is its versatility. You may have it savory with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or you possibly can caramelize it and have it as a dessert. You may pair it with an egg, or you possibly can pair it with ice cream.
Fried plantain tastes like a potato, and the crisp outer layer offers means to a smooth, squishy inside. You gained’t have any points discovering fried plantain in Colombia (or Latin America), so try it your self.
28. Colombian espresso
If you’re keen on espresso, you’re in for a deal with. This conventional Colombian drink is world-famous, and the quantity of espresso beans grown in Colombia is thrilling for any caffeine fanatic. For essentially the most half, Colombia grows Arabica beans, that are mild and candy to style, in contrast to the extreme Robusta. The indisputable fact that Arabica is a bit weaker than Robusta might be a very good factor, although, since, in Colombian espresso tradition, it’s drunk most from late afternoon to early night. Not from the morning to early afternoons like in the US and Europe.
A good way to expertise Colombian is to go espresso tasting. And in order for you to go espresso tasting in Colombia, prioritize visiting Medellin or Manizales. These areas are famed for his or her espresso beans and have varieties named after them. You can guide excursions round native espresso plantations or go to native cafes.
27. Maracuya
Maracuya would possibly sound unfamiliar, however the chances are high excessive that you simply’ve seen one earlier than. Passion fruit won’t be a dish as such. Still, tropical fruits are such a longtime a part of Colombian gastronomy that we had to embody them on this checklist. Passion fruits are a deep purple on the skin, with a waxy, protecting outer pores and skin. Cut open, they reveal a tangy, scrumptious mattress of yellow seeds. These seeds could be eaten straight from the eagerness fruit or used as an ingredient for merchandise like ice cream or juice.
Passion fruits develop throughout South America and are believed to have initially come from the Northern Argentina area earlier than spreading out in reputation throughout the continent. Not planning a go to to Colombia? No drawback. You can try ardour fruit worldwide since it’s a important export product.
Colombian meals is likely one of the finest cuisines in the world. There is a lot to try, so get began as quickly as doable. Luckily, if you’re visiting Colombia, there are many meals excursions to pattern conventional Colombian delicacies – main you round the most effective spots. You can take a look at our greatest journey ideas right here as nicely.
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