Within each region of our country, you will find the best of Colombian cuisine, which becomes a reason to visit each of its corners. From the Pacific to the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, are you ready to discover each of these dishes?
There is a saying that goes: "full belly, happy heart." This statement will mark your trip to Colombia. Because when you taste the incredible dishes of our land, you will know that Colombian food is just one of the factors that can make you fall in love with our culture. In fact, it is one of those things that can completely conquer you.
Some of the most famous dishes in our country are ajiaco santafereño or bandeja paisa. Where can you enjoy them? Especially in the places where they originated, today we will tell you about them.
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Colombian food ready to conquer you
Colombian gastronomy is so extensive that everyone has something to enjoy. Today we want to transport you to each of the regions of our country so that you can learn about the Colombian dishes most desired by foreigners and locals:
Pacific Coast
Arroz atollado con jaibas [crabs] - Guapi, Cauca: it is one of the most aphrodisiac gastronomic dishes of our country. It consists of crabs added to rice with the broth where they are slowly cooked. Then, coconut milk is incorporated and cooked until it is quite moist. If you visit the Pacific Coast, you can't miss it.
Antioquia and Viejo Caldas
Bandeja paisa - Antioquia: you will find this delicious dish in almost any Colombian restaurant. Generally, it consists of a portion of beans with a spoonful of hogao on top, white rice, ground beef, chicharrón, chorizo, blood sausage, green plantain patacones, slices of ripe plantain, a fried egg, slices of avocado, and arepas. Everything is served on a tray. The best ones are undoubtedly in Antioquia!
The Bandeja paisa is one of the most complete dishes of Colombian gastronomy.
Llanos and Amazon
Frog legs - Amazon: this is one of the main dishes that attracts the most foreigners to our country. It is exquisite, and its flavor is very similar to chicken. For its preparation, the legs are cleaned and rubbed with a little lemon, then fried without salt until golden. Once ready, they are salted and served. They are highly appreciated as an appetizer or as a dish. They are also served with white rice and stewed vegetables. If you visit the Colombian Amazon, don't miss the opportunity to try them!
Frog legs are one of the most exotic dishes of the Colombian Amazon.
Valle, Cauca and Nariño
Chicharrones - Valle: a very popular dish in Colombia, which is even part of the bandeja paisa. For its preparation, the bacon is cut into long slices and the strips are boiled in water with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda for 5 to 7 minutes, ensuring that the skin is submerged. Then, they are removed and drained, and the rest of the baking soda is rubbed onto the skin and left to dry in the sun for 1 hour. They are cut to the desired size and fried in a pan with a little oil, over low heat. It is served with fried plantains or arepa. An incredible taste!
Santanderes
Pepitoria - Santander: it is part of the traditional food that has been prepared in the region since the time of the Spaniards. It is a delicacy that is usually accompanied by potatoes, yucca, arepas, fried plantains, or avocado. However, it has unusual ingredients such as goat blood and offal mixed with vegetables, rice, egg, cheese, and spices. Do you dare to try it?
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Caribbean Coast
Fried mojarra - Caribbean Coast: are you looking for a dish with different flavors and textures? Undoubtedly, this is the right dish for you. Once the mojarra is cleaned, it is cut and fried in very hot oil until golden on both sides. Once ready, they are salted and lemon juice is squeezed on them. It is served with coconut rice, boiled yucca, and/or fried plantains.
Fried Mojarra is one of the most common dishes of the Atlantic Coast.
Tolima and Huila
Lechona - Tolima: it is one of the traditional dishes of Colombia that combines abundance and a lot of flavor in one dish. It is typical of the Tolima region and consists of cooked pork and peas. It is usually served with insulso, which consists of a dough made of ground corn flour, panela, and cinnamon.
Lechona is one of the delicacies you can try in the Tolima region.
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Boyacá and Cundinamarca
Mazamorra - Bogotá and the Altiplano Cundiboyacense: mazamorra is a creole dish made with white corn, broken and boiled. It can be eaten cold or hot, with or without milk, and sometimes with panela, sugar, or even honey. If you plan to visit the region, it is a good option to enjoy a different meal.
As you can see, the typical dishes in our country are completely varied. The experiences and places where you can try them will leave you with a delicious memory of Colombia. Visit our country soon and fall in love with our traditional cuisine!
