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USAColombia has some of the tastiest cuisines in Latin America. From arepas to tamales, there are many dishes to discover that taste good.
Colombia has some of the tastiest cuisines in Latin America. From arepas to tamales, there are many dishes to discover that taste good.
One of the best ways to discover Colombia’s food is to visit one of the major markets. You’ll find vibrantly coloured stalls with a range of tropical fruits and vegetables and lots of street food stands.
The Paloquemao Market in Bogota or Portal de Los Dulces (left) in Cartagena are some of the best where you can find fresh fruit, sweets, and street food.
Colombia has some fantastic street food to sample. Arepas (right) can be found on most city street corners and are corn snacks fried with various fillings. Each region has its distinctive filling, but the most common ones are filled with egg or cheese found on the Caribbean coast.
Empanadas are pastry snacks fried with a savoury filling. Beef, cheese, and chicken are typical and sometimes accompanied by a spicy sauce.
Pandebono is a typically Colombian bread made from corn starch, eggs, cheese and guava. It is commonly served with a cup of coffee for breakfast.
Tamales are a corn-based snack steamed or fried and wrapped in a plantain leaf. Traditionally, tamales are served with meat, cheese, vegetables, or fruits. The dish is found all over Colombia and is very popular.
Bandeja paisa (left) is a large meal from the Medellin and Santa Fe De Antioquia regions. It is often considered Colombia’s national meal. Make sure you have an empty stomach before sitting down to it!
The portion is huge and generally includes beans and white rice, chorizo sausage, ground meat, an arepa, pork cracking, a fried egg, plantains, and avocado. It’s delicious, but you won’t need any more food for a while.
Fritanga is another variety of this dish with a mix of grilled meats found all over Colombia.
Ajiaco soup (right) comes from Bogota. It’s a white soup made from two or three varieties of potato, chicken, corn, and avocado. Usually, this dish is served with rice.
Another Colombian soup is Changua from the Andes. It is made from coriander, onions, milk and egg and is often served with chocolate.
Colombia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, with plantations all over the country. Take time to learn how coffee is produced and what goes into your morning drink.
Many farms are in the foothills of the Andes and are small producers offering tours. In addition, you’ll find coffee shops all over Colombia where you can taste various blends and buy fresh coffee to take home; it’s a popular souvenir.
