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10 Colombian Dishes You Have to Try
Colombia is one of the most fascinating countries in the world, not only because of its landscapes and its people, but also because of its cuisine. Sampling dishes from this country which showcase the colours and flavours of the land that straddles the Northern Andes allows one to experience different foods, exclusive Colombian dishes, which all may have comparable ingredients, yet vary immensely according to local recipes or farming methods.
Let’s explore the 10 most famous Colombian dishes that you can find in the markets, in it people’s kitchens and in popular restaurants across the country. They are dishes that you have to try, so we invite you to join us for a tour of Colombia’s tasty traditional treats.
A little bit about the origin of Colombian dishes
The origin of Colombian cuisine has its roots set with the Indigenous people that inhabited the region, such as the Muisca, Quimbaya and Tayrona. However, it was also influenced by Spanish people who arrived there in the 16th century and the African people who were brought in as slaves for the colonizers.
In addition to these influences, the country’s cuisine is a mixture of various cultures of Latin America placing value on spices, such as cilantro, achiote, lemon, coconut and chilli. Colombian people also have the habit of consuming a lot of vegetables, soups and fried foods, especially on the street.
Arepa
This cooked corn tortilla comes in different shapes, sizes and colours, and is normally found in the typical breakfasts of the ‘Coffee Region’, made up of the cities Armenia, Pereira, and Manizales. There are different versions of this, but you can commonly find it sold by street vendors, with different additions of meat in its filling.
In addition, there are corn arepas which are much sweeter, which are consumed with a variety of cheeses, which bring a saltiness which perfectly contrasts the sweetness of the arepa. Furthermore, variants like the ‘arepa de huevo’ (filled egg arepa) exist around the Caribbean coastal region too.
Panela water
Panela water is a drink that is prepared in the morning as an alternative to coffee, or even combined with coffee where its natural sweetness gives it a delicious new flavour.
Panela is of Colombian origin, and is a product derived from sugar cane which is used to sweeten any type of drink, prepare desserts or even to be consumed in small portions as a candy. To prepare it, simply melt the panel in boiling water, and hey presto you have created a tasty drink with a high calorific content.
It is very popular in Bogotá and the coldest cities in Colombia, where it is accompanied by cheese and almojábana (cheese bread), or arepas. In coffee growing regions, chocolate is prepared with the panela water and accompanied with arepas, while in the hottest regions the panel water is chilled and has lemon added, transforming it into a cool refreshing drink for a hot day.’
Lechona
Lechona is one of the most popular foods in Colombia. The dish originates from the Tolima region, although can now be found in restaurants across the country, it consists of a mixture of pork, chickpeas and rice, but depending on the area you can vary the amount of rice and chickpeas. Traditionally it is served with a small corn arepa.
Tamale
Tamales are a special food similar to a corn cake, cooked in banana leaves or corn husks so it keeps its moisture and flavour. They are filled with ingredients such as chicken (mainly thigh), pork, beef, rib, rice, cornmeal and vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes). These ingredients vary in portion and presence in accordance with the local cuisine, and are normally consumed for breakfast.
Sancocho
One of the main dishes that can be found throughout Colombia, this is a traditional broth that comes in a great great variety of forms which depend on the local area: sancocho de gallina (chicken), sancocho de carne res (beef) and sancocho de cerdo (pork) are all popular in rural areas, along with sancocho trifásico which contains all three meats. Of course you can also find sancocho de pescado (fish) in the coastal areas too! The main ingredients are: potato, cassava, plantain, corn, and the chosen meat. It is a dish that is served in large quantities and can be accompanied with rice.
Pandebono
Considered by the Colombian a popular snack, Pandebono is made with cheese, eggs, cassava starch and, in some regions, guava paste. This round snack is usually served with hot chocolate or a hot drink made with oats.
Pandebono was first created in Valle de Cauca, southern Colombia, but you can find it in most bakeries and markets around the country. You can also find this snack shaped in a “U”, and is called “pao de yuca”.
Cocadas
Coconut is ever-present along the Colombian Caribbean coast, with cocada being the most popular dessert made with this ingredient. This sweet is usually sold at the beach and on the streets. It’s common to find it in many flavours. Some of these may include sugar paste, milk, fruit syrup, raisins, peanuts and even licor.
Bandeja de Paisa
Bandeja de Paisa comprises a mix of minced beef, chorizo, chicharro and pork, all on the same plate, can you imagine?! In this delicious dish, you can also find red beans, egg, banana, white rice, corn, avocado and arepa.
Cazuela de Mariscos
Also common on the Caribbean coast and Cartagena, the Cazuela de Mariscos is a type of casserole or stew made with seafood – lobster, shrimp and mussels – cooked with coconut milk and vegetables. This Colombian dish is usually served with salad, avocado and white rice.
Cholado
Simple, but delicious! Cholado is a mixture of seasonal fruits, condensed milk and ice. In some regions, this drink comes with whipped cream and wafers. Cholado is also from Valle de Cauca, specifically, Jamundi.
These five Colombian dishes are just one proof of the gastronomic diversity that characterizes this Andean country, which thanks to its different heights and cultures, different dishes are obtained in each of its regions. We invite you to learn more about the different cultures, traditions and dishes of Latin America in our blog.
