
Latin The us is known for its scrumptious meals, and Colombia does no longer disappoint. In reality, sampling Colombian meals is among the most sensible causes to discuss with Colombia. Like its nation, Colombian delicacies is numerous and thrilling.
You could spot the extraordinary Caribbean meals or Peruvian dish in those 28 absolute best dishes – Colombian delicacies is hugely influenced by means of its surrounding areas and colonial historical past. The rustic is divided into six areas, each and every of which has its personal regional specialties as neatly. Remember the fact that there are regional variations when touring round Colombia’s must-see towns – you don’t wish to fail to notice a area of expertise dish.
28 Conventional Colombian Dishes

Able to discover the most efficient Colombian meals? Whether or not you need to take a look at some Colombian delicacies at house or are visiting Colombia and are excited to take a look at native dishes, this information will introduce you to the most efficient. We’ll quilt the entirety, from Empanadas to Frijoles Rojos. Let’s dive immediately in.
1. Colombian Empanadas

Colombian empanadas were a favourite dish since colonial instances. Its look is just like a Cornish pasty, and the pastry is folded over with a filling within. It’s simple to identify with its function semi-circle form and pinched edge.
You’ll to find floor meat, potatoes, cheese, and hogao (tomato salsa sauce) within. After all, there are some recipe diversifications – particularly for meat-free variations of the dish. Colombian empanadas are easy to make at house and scrumptious to consume in Colombia. If you need a handy guide a rough, simple snack, empanadas are one of the crucial absolute best Colombian dishes.
If you need to take a look at an empanada ahead of you commute to Colombia, you can observe this recipe to make your individual at house.
2. Pandebono

The legend at the back of pandebono is that an Italian baker dwelling in Cali created the bread. When he bought it, he used to stroll the streets shouting ‘pane del buono’ (excellent bread); the title caught, and the bread changed into one of the crucial well-liked Colombian meals.
So, what’s it precisely? The bread may be nicknamed Colombian cheese bread, which will have to come up with a excellent trace. It’s made with melted cheese, yuca flour, and eggs and formed into bagel or ball shapes. You’ll consume pandebono at breakfast, as boulevard meals, or as a facet at dinner – this can be a versatile dish. Remember the fact that it’s best eaten when it’s nonetheless heat out of the oven. Pandebono is a dish meant to be eaten as contemporary as imaginable.
To get within the temper on your Colombian travels, make your individual Pandebono at house with this recipe.
3. Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja paisa is one of the vital iconic Colombian meals on this information. Some even move so far as to name it the nationwide dish. Bandeja paisa is a platter-styled meal with an collection of meats, a fried egg, white rice, corn, plantain, pink beans, and an avocado. The meats come with minced pork and chorizo sausage to chicharron. You’ll generally to find an Arepa at the plate, too (extra on that later).
Bandeja paisa is conventional of Colombia’s Antioquia area and, like frijoles rojos, was once highest for employees spending lengthy days within the mountains and on farms. Bandeja paisa packs a nutritious punch and is full of protein and carbohydrates. It stays a well-liked lunch selection and is one to take a look at in the event you discuss with Colombia. Make your recipe at house by means of following this recipe.
4. Frijoles Rojos

Frijoles Rojos is a distinct Colombian dish that makes use of cargamento beans, also known as pink beans. This Colombian meals is especially wholesome, and pink beans are a perfect supply of iron, potassium, low-fat protein, and fiber. This can be a stew-like concoction, and the pink beans are blended with tomatoes, onion, and garlic. It’s then generally served on most sensible of a portion of rice.
Frijoles rojos was once at first a laborer’s meal. It’s budget-friendly and full of power and vitamins – highest for fueling a difficult day at paintings. Then again, Frijoles Rojos have turn out to be a extensively eaten dish in Colombian delicacies. Watch this simple video to make it your self.
5. Bananos Calados
Bananos calados is considered one of Colombia’s absolute best truffles and is derived from the Quindio area, close to the Andes. It would no longer glance (or sound) appetizing, however it’s simply one of the crucial tastiest foods you’ll be able to check out from Colombian delicacies. The dessert is composed of fried bananas blended 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. Sometimes, you might also to find the lime juice changed by means of orange juice and cinnamon – so stay your eye out for any distinctive recipes.
Colombia has loads of local fruit, and you’ll be able to simply see that this has impressed many conventional recipes. Bananos calados are one meals to take a look at if you wish to revel in Colombia’s dessert scene. Make this scrumptious candy at house to carry again recollections of your travels to Colombia.
6. Chicharron Colombiano

Chicharron Colombiano is fried red meat abdominal, a hearty dish lined in onions, bay leaves, and seasoning for a wonderful style. Chicharron is full of taste and served with a crisp texture that has been perfected over generations of cooking. This can be a conventional dinner dish and is related to circle of relatives and custom.
The dish is conventional of Colombia’s Andean area. Then again, it originated in Spain and was once offered to Colombia by means of Spanish colonizers. The Spanish recipe varies very much; rind or abdominal cuts can be utilized, in contrast to the Colombian model. You’ll to find that the majority nations in Latin The us have their very own model of chicharron. Get able to take a look at as many alternative variations as imaginable. Colombia has since taken a company spin at the dish, even though, and chicharron has neatly and in point of fact entered Colombian delicacies.
7. Coconut rice
Omit white rice; coconut rice is the tastiest. As its title would possibly counsel, coconut rice is cooked with coconuts, giving it a yummy taste and getting it a spot in this listing as a meal in its personal proper. There are two major techniques coconut rice is ready: cooking it in coconut milk or blending it with shredded coconut. Cooking it in coconut milk is the most efficient, as you get a more potent coconut taste.
The historical past of coconut rice is somewhat of a thriller. The dish is scattered around the globe, particularly in Asia and South The us. Then again, since coconuts are considered one of Colombia’s maximum commonplace tropical culmination, it’s no thriller why they’re so prevalent in Colombian delicacies. Should you get the risk to take a look at it, coconut rice is a delectable dish.
8. Pescado Frito

Pescado Frito is a vintage, conventional Colombian meals. Pescado Frito interprets as fried fish and is served entire, with pores and skin and head intact. It may be slightly daunting in the event you aren’t used to consuming fish like this. Then again, you’ll quickly be gained over, as cooking the fish in its pores and skin boosts its taste and helps to keep the fish meat wet. You’ll be expecting a lot juicer meat than you’d get consuming fillets and fish steaks.
In Colombia, the fried fish is generally mojarra or pink snapper. The fish is sliced after which flavored with lime and seasoning, frequently sitting within the juice for some time to in point of fact take in the flavour. It’s served with rice, plantain, and salad – the very best lunch dish.
9. Arepa de Huevo

Arepa de huevo is a variation of same old arepas, that are fried corn truffles. Arepas are a hugely well-liked breakfast meals and also are regarded as fairly of a convenience meals. Arepa de huevo are one of the crucial tastiest diversifications with egg. Making ready them comes to frying a corn cake, splitting it, and filling it with an egg, then frying it once more to cook dinner the egg within. The result’s a fried egg lined in fried bread.
It’s no surprise that arepas de huevos are one of the crucial well-liked dishes – particularly for breakfast. They’re served in stacks (like pancakes) as a standalone dish. Simply select your sauce to compare, salsa and bitter cream are nice alternatives. 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 some other comforting meal in Colombian delicacies. It’s truthful to mention that it’s one of the vital conventional Colombian soup and is extensively eaten around the nation. The rooster soup may be full of plantain, corn, potatoes, and yuca. In reality, it’s so stuffed with components that it frequently seems extra like a stew than a soup.
After all, rooster soup is located international, however Colombia’s model is especially scrumptious. The mix of components like plantain and yuca is a lot more distinctive, and frequently Colombian recipes use a whole rooster.
Sopa de pollo is a superb Colombian meals to take a look at when visiting or to recreate at house. It’s best cooked slow-cooked and served piping sizzling and is a kind of one-pot dishes the entire circle of relatives loves.
11. Morcilla

Morcilla is a blood sausage made with floor red meat and red meat blood. Morcillas are simply noticed as a result of their darkish, deep reddish-brown colour. They’re an excessively conventional dish throughout Latin The us. You should not have any downside discovering some to take a look at in the event you discuss with Colombia. And in the event you like black pudding, you might be in for a deal with.
Morcillas are ready from scratch, and the method comes to squeezing the combination into sausage casings. The bottom meat is blended with red meat blood, onions, and rice ahead of being put into casings. Colombian recipes have a tendency so as to add cilantro and once in a while inexperienced peas as neatly. The sausages are then generally boiled to cook dinner.
12. Cazuela de Mariscos
Able for a Colombian seafood dish? Cazuela de mariscos is among the hottest Colombian dishes in coastal areas, particularly alongside the Caribbean Coast and Cartegena. This can be a conventional meals and seafood casserole or seafood stew – full of the entirety from prawns to mussels and lobster. The meats are cooked in coconut milk with a mix of greens. You could also have white wine and cheese added to the combination in case you are fortunate.
Cazuela de mariscos is an iconic dish when visiting Colombia’s sea coast. What is best than a contemporary seafood dish? As a rule, the components were simply stuck out of the Caribbean Sea. That is indubitably one on your listing whilst you discuss with Colombia. Or check out making it at house with this yummy recipe.
13. Colombian Bunuelos

Bunuelos are deep-fried balls full of contemporary cheese – an excellent afternoon snack or breakfast chunk. Surprisingly sufficient, they’re frequently served along sizzling chocolate and low, so you’ll be able to frequently to find bunuelos at cafes in Colombia.
Bunuelos are one of the crucial well-liked 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 function appetizer-sized ball form and floated in a pan of boiling vegetable oil.
It’s idea that bunuelos had been offered to Colombia by means of Spanish invaders. The snack is now eaten throughout Colombia as boulevard meals and cafe or eating place deal with. Bunuelos are particularly well-liked at Christmas time. We discovered this easy to observe recipe on YouTube
14. Obleas

Obleas isn’t just a normal Colombian dish; it’s loved in all places Spain and Latin The us. Obleas seems like a sandwich, and that’s exactly what it’s. The vintage dessert is composed of 2 wafers that sandwich a filling of dulce de leche and frequently a mix of fruit, whipped cream, and jam. The Colombian model is nearly equivalent however provides one particular aspect – Colombian caramel.
Should you’ve were given a candy enamel, obleas are one of the crucial absolute best conventional Colombian truffles to take a look at. You’ll to find them far and wide, from cafes to boulevard stalls.
15. Lechona
Lechona is a Colombian meals for particular events. The dish is composed of an entire roasted pig full of onions, peas, potatoes, red meat fats, white rice, garlic, and spices like cumin. After the pig has had its bones got rid of and has been filled, it’s positioned within the oven and slow-cooked (frequently for as much as ten hours).
Understand that, lechona is meant to be the culinary masterpiece of the desk. This can be a dish designed to be shared with massive teams of other people when you need to splash out on a posh meal. You’ll frequently to find person servings of lechona at eating places round Colombia, even though, so stay your eyes peeled.
16. Cholado

Let’s set Colombian meals apart for a second. Cholado is among the absolute best beverages in Colombia, so let’s introduce you. The drink is a refreshing mix of shaved ice, contemporary fruit, and sweetened condensed milk. Relying on the place you get one, you might also to find the drink served with ice cream, wafers, and whipped cream.
Cholado originates from Jamundi in Valle de Cauca. This can be a combine between dessert, fruit cocktail, and drink – ticking all of the bins creatively and deliciously. Should you love contemporary fruit and candy treats, this can be a nice drink to take a look at when visiting Colombia, but easy sufficient to recreate at house.
17. Carimanola
Carimanolas are simple to identify. The tiny fritters are formed into function torpedo shapes, generally served in bulk as bitesize appetizers. They’re a standard Colombian meals, even supposing you’ll additionally to find carimanolas in different Southern American nations like Panama.
Within, carimanolas are full of floor pork or shredded rooster, cheese, and seasoning. The fritters are then deep-fried to create a form of meat pie. They’re gentle and crispy at the outdoor but cushy at the within. Extra frequently than no longer, carimanolas include aji sauce. This vibrant inexperienced sauce principally is composed of cilantro and is good and highly spiced – the very best aspect. Need to take a look at them ahead of your travels? Head over to observe this recipe
18. Colombian Sopa de Mondongo

Whilst mondongo frequently has a stew-like consistency, it’s if truth be told some other conventional Colombian soup. The soup is composed of onion, potato, pork tripe, chorizo, and red meat, all served piping sizzling in a small bowl. This can be a extremely conventional Colombian meals, and also you’ll to find mondongo at maximum eating places around the nation.
Like many Colombian dishes, sopa de mondongo is thought to were offered by means of Spanish colonizers. The tomato-based soup has been firmly followed into the Colombian culinary scene, even though, and Colombian variations of the recipe have a undeniable twist.
19. Fritanga

Fritanga is a platter dish. The dish is extensively bought among boulevard meals distributors and is composed of a mix of meals heaped onto a big plate – generally barbecued in the street. So, what meals will you to find in fritanga? In most cases, chorizo, sausage, plantain, and a mix of greens.
Fritanga is a Nicaraguan dish, even supposing it has turn out to be followed into Colombian delicacies. The tale at the back of its beginning is a sad one. The meal was once first created after the 1931 earthquake, which hit Nicaragua, and other people cooked meals in the street with barbecues.
Now, you’ll to find fritanga cooked in all places Latin The us and Colombia. This can be a ancient, tasty, and filling dish to take a look at.
20. Bocadillo

A bocadillo is a scrumptious Colombian meals made with guava paste – a made from a well-liked tropical fruit. The dish is very candy and a distinct deal with and dessert. It has a melt-in-your-mouth texture however is in a different way no longer sticky to touch. Bocadillos handiest require a couple of components, most commonly panela and guava pulp, so they’re easy to make if you wish to recreate the dish at house.
You’ll frequently to find bocadillos served at cafes, generally along a slice of salty white cheese. They arrive reduce into little rectangles or squares and are the very best bitesize treats.
21. Aborrajados

Aborrajados are one dish that you simply don’t to find as simply. It originated within the Valley de Cauca and is a regional area of expertise. The inventive (if fairly bizarre-sounding) dish is composed of deep-fried plantain full of cheese to create a crispy, wholesome cheese chunk. The easiest position to take a look at aborrajados is within the area of the Valley de Cauca itself, the place you’ll to find the dish maximum prevalently anyway.
Aborrajados are served as snacks or appetizers ahead of a big meal. Don’t rule out the dish at pudding time, even though, as you’ll be able to upload 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. This can be a easy however staple Colombian meals and just like Spanish paella. The dish is composed of rice, rooster, onion, and greens, with saffron tossed during the combination for extra taste.
If you need a filling dish, arroz con pollo is a great selection. Plus, it’s simple to seek out and is extensively served at eating places and boulevard seller stalls throughout Colombia. It’s believed that arroz con pollo originated in Spain whilst the rustic was once beneath Moorish affect. When Spanish colonizers arrived in Colombia, it’s presumed that the dish was once offered to Colombian meals tradition.
23. Cocadas Blancas

We’ve lined a lot from Colombia’s coastal area. However what a few dessert from the Caribbean Coast? Cocadas blancas is an ideal candy dessert on your listing. The dish is made with a mixture of shredded coconut, sugar, milk, and coconut water. Relying on the place you check out it, you might also to find additional components like cinnamon – the general public have their very own twist at the vintage recipe.
Cocadas blancas are generally bought in the street and alongside Colombia’s seashores. Then again, you’ll be able to to find them on dessert menus in eating places too. They’re scrumptious meals, sticky and candy. You’re in for a deal with making an attempt one.
24. Colombian Sizzling Chocolate

Talking of truffles, sizzling chocolate is some other candy deal with that Colombia excels at. The Colombian model of sizzling chocolate is known as Santafereno. It is extremely other from the Ecu and American variations of the drink. As an alternative of candy milk chocolate, the Colombian model makes use of darkish, unsweetened chocolate. Santafereno is in most cases made in water, no longer milk, with cinnamon or cloves frequently added to counteract any bitterness. It’s going to sound atypical, however Colombians also are noted for dipping cheese of their sizzling chocolate – which you will or won’t need to take a look at.
Any other factor that’s essential to understand is that Colombia has been the usage of chocolate for hundreds of years. Chocolate is created from cacao bushes, that are present in spaces of Colombia and the Amazon basin. Colombia isn’t on my own both; cacao has been used all throughout Latin The us 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 evening ahead of – its title actually interprets as ‘heated’. The dish was once born out of poverty to restrict waste, however now it is among the most standard meals in Colombia.
The most typical components in a calentado dish are white rice, plantain, and steak. It’s then frequently crowned with a fried egg and arepas, in all probability even served with a sizzling chocolate or espresso. By way of the character of the dish, calentado was once principally cooked at house. After all, now you’ll to find it on menus around the nation. At eating places, you have a tendency to additionally to find avocado and sausage served along the usual components.
26. Fried Plantain

Fried plantain is yummy Colombian meals. To the untrained eye, you’ll be able to be forgiven for mistaking them for bananas. They appear equivalent, except for plantains are a lot better, much less candy, and handiest turn out to be ripe after they flip black. Of their yellow levels, plantains are ideal for frying, which is the place deep-fried plantain is available in.
The most efficient factor about fried plantain is its versatility. You must have it savory with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or you must caramelize it and feature it as a dessert. You must pair it with an egg, or you must pair it with ice cream.
Fried plantain tastes like a potato, and the crisp outer layer offers strategy to a cushy, squishy within. You gained’t have any problems discovering fried plantain in Colombia (or Latin The us), so check out it your self.
28. Colombian espresso
Should you love espresso, you might be 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 phase, Colombia grows Arabica beans, that are gentle and candy to style, in contrast to the serious Robusta. The truth that Arabica is somewhat weaker than Robusta is most likely a excellent factor, even though, since, in Colombian espresso tradition, it’s inebriated maximum from overdue afternoon to early night time. No longer from the morning to early afternoons like in america and Europe.
An effective way to revel in Colombian is to head espresso tasting. And if you wish to move espresso tasting in Colombia, prioritize visiting Medellin or Manizales. Those areas are famed for his or her espresso beans and feature types named after them. You’ll guide excursions round native espresso plantations or discuss with native cafes.
27. Maracuya

Maracuya may sound unfamiliar, however the likelihood is that you’ve noticed one ahead of. Hobby fruit may not be a dish as such. Nonetheless, tropical culmination are such a longtime a part of Colombian gastronomy that we needed to come with them in this listing. Hobby culmination are a deep crimson at the outdoor, with a waxy, protecting outer pores and skin. Minimize open, they expose a tangy, scrumptious mattress of yellow seeds. Those seeds will also be eaten immediately from the fervour fruit or used as an aspect for merchandise like ice cream or juice.
Hobby culmination develop in all places South The us and are believed to have at first come from the Northern Argentina area ahead of spreading out in recognition around the continent. No longer making plans a discuss with to Colombia? No downside. You’ll check out pastime fruit international since this can be a important export product.
Colombian meals is among the absolute best cuisines on the planet. There may be such a lot to take a look at, so get began once imaginable. Happily, in case you are visiting Colombia, there are many meals excursions to pattern conventional Colombian delicacies – main you round the most efficient spots. You’ll take a look at our absolute best commute guidelines right here as neatly.
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