Colombian Cuisine is very diverse and varies depending on the different regions of Colombia. In some areas you will find specialties like roasted ants or guinea pigs while in other areas Colombians wouldn't even touch those dishes.
Colombia is not a paradise for vegetarians as the Colombian diet includes a lot of meat. In the coastal areas you will find a good variety of fish, lobster and seafood often prepared with a sauce made out of coconut milk. The offer of fresh fruit is overwhelming and many of the varieties you have probably never heard of before.
Typical Main Meals & Dishes
Bandeja Paisa: A huge mixture of food on more of a platter than a plate, it consists of grilled steak, fried pork rind, chorizo sausages, on a bed of rice and red beans that is then topped with a fried egg and a side of sliced avocado and sweet banana (chips). It is arguably the national dish of Colombia.
Cuchuco de Trigo: Is a wheat soup from the Boyaca area which is thickened with potatoes, peas and ribs.
Empanadas: It is a stuffed pastry that can either be sweet or savory. The savory Colombian empanadas are filled with beef, chicken and/or cheese as well as with rice and coriander. Compared to the Chilean or Argentinean empanadas they are not baked but fried.
Frijoles con Garra: Is a dish from the region of Antioquia and contains red beans thickened with pigs' trotter.
Fritanga: It is a plate full of grilled meat like beef, chicken, ribs and sausages and fried cow intestines (chunchullo) which get served with little potatoes and arepas or with manioc and fried bananas.
Sancocho: It is a common dish in the Caribbean although ingredients do vary by region. In Colombia it includes chicken, plantains, yucca, cilantro, corn, and potatoes. Sometimes fish is used instead of chicken.
Sobrebarriga Bogotana: Is basically a flank steak Bogotá Style.
Tamales: Cooked corn dough filled with meat, chicken and vegetable wrapped in banana leaves. The Tamales Tolimenses which are famous in the Tolima region are filled with chicken, pork, rice, potatoes, carrots, peas and spices.
Viudo de Pescado: Is another dish from the Tolima area. It is a soup of river fish served with green bananas and manioc.
