| 4 mins read
Beyond the monuments, attractions, beaches and striking landscapes, there’s one more thing that visitors to Colombia will be completely enchanted by… the food! Everybody hears about the amazing coffee that comes from Colombia, but few know that its cuisine is equally as impressive and delicious. From the best staple dishes to the tastiest sweet morsels, Colombia has some amazing food options for the gastronomical adventurist. Touring around this South America country and want to get the best foodie experience?? Check out this quick culinary guide to eating in Colombia.
The Best Meals….
Bandeja Paisa: What is considered by most to be the national dish of the country, this Colombian plate is a huge spread of popular foods that are all combined into one dish. Consisting of minced beef or grilled steak, sausage (chorizo), pork rinds, beans and avocado accompanied by rice, a side of arepa and topped with a fried egg… you better be hungry when you order up this national spread!
Ajiaco: A soup-based dish that combines chicken, potatoes, rice and avocado, served together with a corn soup. Combine all the ingredients together for a delicious and filling local meal.
Tamales: Cooked corn dough wrapped in plantain leaves, these tasty morsels are usually stuffed with meats, vegetables, rice and corn, and are sometimes served up for breakfast.
Lechona: Another grand Colombian spread, this popular party dish consists of a fully roasted pig stuffed with yellow rice, legumes, onions and local spices. Eat with a side of arepa for a grand taste of Colombia.
Sancocho: A dish comprised of chicken, plantains, yucca, corn and potatoes, variations of this gastronomic treat are found in different parts of the country with some areas switching out the chicken for fish or pork.
Morcilla: Though not exclusive to Colombia, this freshly prepared blood sausage (sometime combined with rice, peas and vegetables) is a popular choice during Colombian barbeques.
Popular Side Dishes that accompany these Colombian Mains:
Arepa: When you order up a big plate of food in Colombia, chances are it will come with a couple of these famous sides. Bread made from cornmeal, Arepas are lathered in butter or used to wipe up all the leftover goodness from the main spread.
Arroz con Coco: A more popular side dish in the Caribbean parts of Colombia, this is a rice based option that is prepared in coconut milk, mixed with salt and sugar.
Hogao: More of a sauce than it is a side, this combination of onions and tomatoes is eaten with arepas, rice and meats.
Typical Colombian Snack Foods:
Bunuelos: A dough ball that is made with a curd white cheese, these tasty morsels are fried until they’re golden brown and eaten as a snack (very popular during the Christmas season).
Chicharron: Not the healthiest snack in the world, but this deep-fried morsel made from pig’s skin (sometimes chicken skin) is absolutely delicious when mixed with guacamole or stuffed into arepas.
Empanadas: A stuffed, fried pastry that can be either sweet or salty, these delicious snacks are usually packed with beef, chicken, cheese and rice.
Fruit: Though clearly not exclusive to Colombia, the country does have some amazing exotic fruits that make a delicious and visually stunning fruit salad (sometimes mixed with sweets or cheese).
Last But Not Least… The Best Colombian Desserts!
Arequipe: This sweet tooth’s favorite is made by slowly heating sweetened milk, creating a caramelized milk candy- best when served alongside or on top of some other dessert option.
Panela: Made from evaporated sugarcane juice, these outrageously sweet bricks are either mixed in with other desserts or cut into small cubes and eaten as is.
Mazamorra de Maiz: Made from crushed corn grains, soaked in water and cooked until soft, this dessert is usually served alongside the aforementioned Panela.
Credits: Cartagena, Colombia by Pedro Szekely CC BY; Bandeja Paisa by Christian Van Der Henst S.CC BY; Tamale by William Neuheisel CC BY; sancocho by Mihai CC BY; Arepas con Chorizo by William Neuheisel CC BY; Buñuelos cocinándose by Ciro Duran CC BY; Mazamorra by Mario CarvajalCC BY; Latin American Empanadas by SpeakingLatino.comCC BY-SA; Chicharrón Tatuado by medea_materialCC BY