Candy, savory and at an amazing value, you’ll always remember Colombian avenue meals.
Road meals is a large a part of Colombian tradition, and that is evident from the variety of distributors across the nation.
From metros and parks to aspect streets and intersections, you’re sure to discover a avenue meals vendor on virtually each nook.
The easiest way to familiarize your self with avenue meals in Colombia is to pattern all the products.
Every day you’ll be able to strive a wide range of new and scrumptious avenue meals objects which might be sure to tantalize your tastebuds.
What I really like about Colombian avenue meals is that it differs from area to area. Because of this the identical merchandise will likely be ready another way.
Take one thing as frequent because the arepa. The standard arepa is totally totally different on the coast in comparison with up within the mountain areas of the Andes.
Road meals displays tradition, geography and historical past. It’s my favorite a part of journey.
Many individuals are scared to strive avenue meals for the concern of getting sick. There’s a notion that by some means it should be soiled as a result of it’s cheaper than restaurant meals.
However I belief avenue meals greater than a restaurant as a result of you may see how it’s ready. Distributors can’t afford to let elements sit, they make it contemporary and serve till they’re out for the day.
In case you’ve ever been to a restaurant’s stroll in fridge you’ll see issues that will scare you as a result of they’ll’t all the time say the identical.
Road meals distributors take satisfaction within the meals they serve – they’ve a popularity to guard.
It’s a extremely aggressive market. So they need to be sure that their merchandise are good to maintain individuals coming again for extra.
So eat by the golden rule – the place there are crowds of locals, and also you’ll by no means be led astray.
Colombian Road Meals
1. Arepas
Beginning off the checklist are none aside from arepas. Nothing fairly says Colombian avenue meals than the common-or-garden arepas.
They’re made utilizing a candy cornmeal dough that’s formed and fried.
Whereas the usual arepas that you just discover in fast-food retailers will be moderately anemic wanting and lack shade and taste, the road meals counterparts are nothing alike.
They’re thicker, darker in shade, and filled with taste.
The opposite fascinating reality about arepas is that they’re extremely regional and toppings differ between areas.
Take the arepa de queso, for instance, hailing from Medellin – created from a base of corn flour and cheese blended collectively.
It’s then fried and topped with quesito and condensed milk – the right mixture of candy and salty.
One other regional traditional is the arepa de huevo, originating from Cartagena. It’s made by filling a twice fried arepa dough with an egg cooked inside it.
2. Avena
Avena is a deliciously thick and creamy oatmeal-based drink discovered on the streets of Colombia.
It’s made by boiling oats and water that’s infused with cloves and cinnamon, and naturally, a splash of sugar and salt.
Whereas it’s a straightforward drink to organize, it packs a punch and delivers on taste – deliciously wealthy and creamy.
Avena can also be one of the standard Ecuadorian drinks within the Andes and infrequently referred to as “Quaker” as that’s the model of oats first launched into the nation.
3. Bollo
Bollo are a kind of boiled hominy corn roll which might be wrapped with corn husks after which boiled.
They originate from the town of Barranquilla and are often served with fried Colombian meats on the aspect comparable to chorizo, chicharron, and butifarras.
One of the vital standard variations is named bollos de mazorca con queso and is just a bollo served with cubes of contemporary cheese.
4. Buñuelos
Buñuelos are one of the frequent Colombian avenue meals objects which might be historically served round Christmas time.
They can be loved all year long and make for an amazing breakfast time snack.
Not like different the Honduran desserts referred to as buñuelos in Latin America, they aren’t candy and like doughnuts in Colombia.
These humble, golf ball-sized fritters are made utilizing corn starch, cheese, and yuca flour.
They’re historically served with chocolate sauce or the Colombian model of dulce de leche referred to as arequipe.
Buñuelos are at their prime when served piping scorching and are generally served with a cup of espresso or scorching chocolate alongside them.
5. Carimañola
Carimañola are a typical avenue meals in Colombia that you’ll find within the Caribbean area of the nation.
They’re small, elongated fritters made utilizing yuca flour and are often full of meat or cheese.
Whereas these are the commonest carimañola stuffings, there are various variations that may be discovered, and households all have their very own particular variations of the fritter.
Whereas they’re just like empanadas, they use the mashed yuca as a substitute of corn flour, making them softer in texture.
6. Casabe
Casabe is a one other one of many Colombian avenue meals objects that makes use of yuca flour as its base.
Whereas this flatbread-type dish is discovered all through South America, it was as soon as a staple meals merchandise in Colombia.
Initially eaten by the Taino Indigenous individuals over 500 years in the past it’s nonetheless accessible as we speak however has developed.
Right now there are various variations of casabe that may be discovered all through the nation, however one of the standard variations is named casaba con queso de capa.
This model makes use of a kind of curdled cheese, just like mozzarella, that’s present in Mompos and nowhere else.
7. Cholado/ Raspado/ Raspao
A raspado is a kind of Colombian snow cone or shaved ice dish. Whereas cholados are simply raspados which were topped with fruit and typically, condensed milk.
This hybrid drink-frozen-cocktail-dessert originates from the El Valle area of Colombia and makes for an incredible summertime dessert.
Whereas a wide range of fruit can be utilized, a few of the hottest selections are banana, pineapple, peach, blueberries, raspberries, and mango.
The fruit is place on high of the shaved ice and the cholado is completed off with blueberry syrup, shredded coconut, and a maraschino cherry.
8. Chinchulín
Chinchulín, also called chunchullo, is a Colombian avenue meals merchandise that’s sure to place off a couple of individuals – it’s grilled/fried cow’s intestines.
The dish is extremely standard amongst Colombians and is often served with some lime and salt.
Whereas many vacationers would possibly get postpone by the dish, it’s scrumptious. Belief me.
With the same style to liver, will probably be most interesting to those that desire the secondary cuts and organ meats.
It’s undoubtedly value a strive so long as you don’t overthink it an excessive amount of and analyze what you’re consuming.
9. Churros
Churros is a phrase that you’ve got probably heard in your life. Whereas the namesake originates from Spain and Portugal, the Colombian avenue meals model is a bit totally different.
Whereas the Spanish model is often served with a aspect of chocolate dipping sauce, the Colombian avenue meals model is often served by itself, sprinkled with a dusting of sugar.
In Medellin, nonetheless, it is possible for you to to search out churros accompanied by a aspect dish of arequipe for dipping the churros into.
10. Espresso
Colombia is without doubt one of the high producers of espresso on the planet – reality. Nevertheless, the western espresso tradition hasn’t appeared to have unfold into Colombia.
As a substitute, Colombians get pleasure from a espresso on-the-go from avenue distributors, moderately than an prolonged espresso and catch up at a neighborhood restaurant or café.
Locals check with a small, barely watery espresso, as a tintico (a bit espresso).
You will discover a tintico bought by streets distributors, primarily up within the Colombian highlands and mountainous Andes areas of the nation and is nice for an on-the-go heat up.
11. Empanadas
Empanadas are usually not a uniquely Colombian avenue meals dish – they’re discovered all through Latin America and Spain.
Colombian empanadas, nonetheless, are made utilizing corn flour and every area has its personal specialty.
These corn fritter pockets are full of a wide range of elements together with floor meat or shredded pork and beef and potato filling for a vegetarian possibility.
They make for an amazing snack and the perect street-side decide up for an on-the-go deal with.
In case you love empanadas you would possibly need to try this cheese empanadas recipe.
12. Fruit Cups
Salpicón is a deliciously refreshing Colombian fruit beverage. It’s historically made up of fruit juice base topped with freshly chopped fruit comparable to strawberries, bananas, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, or oranges topped off with some soda water.
It’s the good thirst-quencher on scorching summers day and will be sipped with a straw after which the fruit is eaten with a spoon.
13. Hormigas Culonas
One other one of many Colombian avenue meals objects that’s undoubtedly for the extra experimental eater is hormigas culonas – straight translated to “big-assed ants”.
These leaf-cutter ants have been eaten by the Guane individuals for a few years and are harvested through the wet season within the Sandtander Division.
It’s believed that solely the feminine ants are used due to their bigger abdomens, and they’re often given as wedding ceremony items. It’s believed that the ants have aphrodisiac qualities.
Hormigas culonas are undoubtedly one of many extra distinctive Colombian avenue meals objects and have a considerably nutty and chocolatey style.
They’re finest fried or toasted, are extremely nutritious, and are surprisingly scrumptious – Colombians get pleasure from them together with an ice-cold beer.
14. Kibbeh
Whereas kibbeh is definitely a standard center japanese dish, additionally it is standard all through Latin America.
Through the 19th and 20th centuries, the was a big Levant immigrant inhabitants in Latin America and with them, got here their conventional delicacies.
The kibbeh dish is made utilizing floor beef, onions, and a grain (often bulgur wheat) spiced with a mix of sumac, allspice and cumin.
They’re then formed and deep fried till golden brown and are loved as a scrumptious snack on-the-go.
They’re additionally a well-liked Mexican antojito snack referred to as kibis.
15. Lechon
Pork is without doubt one of the mostly loved meats in Colombia and Lechon is without doubt one of the much-loved delicacies.
Lechon is a slow-cooked suckling pig that’s roasted over the coals till it’s crispy on the surface, tender on the within, and bursting with taste.
The pork fatback is commonly full of rice, peas, and spices earlier than being cooked.
It’s bought by avenue distributors in Colombia, served with arepas or tamales – and naturally aji scorching sauce.
16. Mazamorra
Mazamorra is a well-liked avenue meals dish in Colombia made with dried, cracked corn and water.
The mazamorra Antiqueña is served with milk and both panela (brown cane sugar) or bocadillo (a guava paste).
Whereas there are various totally different variations of the dish all through Colombia and the remainder of Latin America, the model above from the Antioquia division of Colombia is a winner.
Colombians get pleasure from mazamorra as a dessert and plenty of can not resist the candy deal with.
17. Obleas
Obleas are one other one of many candy Colombian avenue meals treats – a big, spherical wafer.
Historically, obleas are served with the Colombian dulce de leche arequipe, however can be topped with jams, cheese, and chocolate sprinkles.
Whereas obleas are loved all through Colombia, they can be present in different Latin American international locations like El Salvador, Mexico, and Venezuela.
The obleas carts will be discovered within the streets with large wafers stacked collectively and their arrays of jars containing the accompaniments.
18. Papa Rellena
Shifting away from the candy treats for a bit, the subsequent Colombian avenue meals dish is papa rellena.
They’re made utilizing none aside from the common-or-garden potato that’s shaped into balls and full of spices, meat, and greens.
Colombians eat papa rellena as a snack on the go or as a breakfast dish and they are often served both scorching or chilly.
It’s like a giant fried potato ball, crispy on the surface and delicate on the within.
They’re often served with conventional aji for some added warmth to the dish.
19. Pan de Yuca
Pan de yuca is a standard Colombian bread that’s made utilizing a base of yuca flour and cheese.
This extremely versatile dish will be served at any time of the day as a snack and is a typical Colombian breakfast merchandise.
It’s virtually all the time served with a scorching beverage like espresso or scorching chocolate.
20. Perro Caliente
Everybody loves scorching canine – and the Colombians aren’t any totally different.
In Medellin, as an example, the stets are suffering from scorching canine distributors serving up a few of the most scrumptious avenue meals merchandise recognized.
Historically, they boil the sausages, place them on a freshly baked scorching canine roll, and high it off with mustard, ketchup, coleslaw, mayonnaise, or pineapple.
Perro caliente additionally make for an amazing late evening snack whenever you’re out partying and are in want of some sustenance.
21. Picadas
Picadas are primarily platters which might be made up of a wide range of totally different elements.
These embody several types of meats and greens collectively on the identical board.
They’re usually served on Sundays when family and friends come collectively in addition to particular events and occasions.
Picadas are additionally discovered being bought be by avenue meals distributors all through the nation that each one have their very own mixture of things on the board.
You’ll often discover a meat comparable to hen, pork, or beef together with guacamole, chunchullo, envuelto, and candy plantains.
22. Salchipapas
Salchipapas has its roots in Lima in Peru, however additionally it is discovered all through South America as a well-liked avenue meals dish.
Two phrases are mixed right here – salchi which is sausage and papas that are potatoes.
Due to this fact, salchipapas is a dish made up of sausages and French fries.
There are a lot of mixtures of parts that go together with the dish and different objects embody bacon, cheese and so many sauces
Whereas salchipapas are discovered on most child’s meals menus in eating places all through the nation, the adults are additionally large followers of this straightforward Colombian avenue meals snack.
Salchipapas are additionally one of the standard Peruvian snacks.
23. Tamales
An ever-popular avenue meals dish discovered all through South and Central America in addition to Mexico, and naturally, Colombia.
They’re a easy preparation of corn flour dough that’s filed with cheese, meat, or greens after which steamed.
Whereas many different international locations steam the tamales in banana leaves, the Colombians usually additionally use corn husks
Once more, there are such a lot of variations of this Colombian avenue meals dish however one of many notable variations hails from the Tolima Division.
They’re referred to as Tamales tolimenses and are full of a wide range of elements.
You’ll discover hen and pork ribs mixed with greens like carrots and potatoes and even issues like rice and eggs.
The individuals of Bogota get pleasure from serving the tamales tolimenses with a regional specialty referred to as chocolate santafereño .
Now chocolate santafereño isn’t just any scorching chocolate – it’s scorching chocolate taken to the subsequent stage. A small metallic pot referred to as a chocoletera or an olleta is used to soften chocolate after which whipped up.
Queso fresco is then added which supplies the new chocolate a considerably umami and salty pop.
24. Arepas Rellena
When you eat a cheese stuffed arepa you’ll by no means been content material with a plain ole grilled cheese sandwich.
In Santa Marta has a well-known model of those, the masa (cooked corn meal) is stuffed to the brim with cheese.
It’s devastatingly good.
At 4pm individuals line up at Arepas Yiya. You’ll be able to’t miss the spot in Central Santa Marta as they prepare dinner them outsite and you’ll odor them a block away.
An arepa and agua de maiz, corn water created from the liquid leftover from cooking the corn used for the masa, is just 7000 Colombian pesos.
The corn water sounds odd however is certainly value attempting.
25. Ceviche
In Colombia they usually use a tomato sauce and should embody ketchup or mayonnaise.
And in lots of instances on the seaside the seafood is cooked beforehand in order that it’s suitable for eating and feels a bit extra like a seafood cocktail. It’s just like shrimp ceviche in Ecuador however not fairly the identical.
Peruvians are fiercely pleased with their delicacies and say the one ceviche value consuming is in Perú. However the methodology of making ready fish with out warmth is discovered all through the world.
I additionally love the kinilaw recipe within the Philippines and kokoda in Fiji.
So I believe it’s finest to not examine ceviches all through Latin America. It’s the identical identify however totally different preparation.
26. Cazuela de Mariscos
In Santa Marta locals name one of many church plazas sopas de la parque. Right here you’ll discover distributors promoting fish or seafood stews together with seafood and fish rice.
Distributors are from San Andres Island and rotate who’s there every day. However you actually can’t go mistaken with any of them.
However go early within the day earlier than the promote out and convey a hat because the plaza can get actually scorching.
27. Panela Con Limon
In case you’ve been to the market and even the grocery retailer and have been puzzled by the large blocks of what seems to be brown sugar that’s panela.
Panela is unprocessed sugar cane and is used all through Colombian delicacies and particularly in baking and drinks.
Panela con limon is a straightforward however refreshing drink just like lemonade and accessible on the road for lower than a greenback.
28. Arroz Con Camarones
Alongside the cazuela at sopas de la parque you’ll each seafood rice and shrimp rice. I desire the shrimp as I don’t love conch as it might probably overpower a seafood combine.
It is a discount because it’s additionally served with yuca and be sure you get the suero on high.
29. Fruit Juice
Recent fruit juice is part of on a regular basis life in Colombia, notably alongside the coast. You’ll discover distributors alongside each nook with quite a few seasonal fruits.
One you don’t need to miss is corozo, which is a Colombian fruit distinctive to the coast. Colombians find it irresistible so for those who see a vendor promoting reddish juice in a fruit tank you’re more likely to be ingesting it.
Some individuals liken it to a plum or blueberry. Colombians make juice and preserves and for those who’re fortunate, wine.
However it’s an endangered fruit so I prefer to suppose that by shopping for the drink we’re encouraging individuals to plant extra.
And if you’re cautious of those fish tank drinks don’t fear! They use filtered water as Colombians outdoors Bogota don’t drink faucet water both.
30. Pan de Coco
I believe calling it Colombian coconut bread does it a disservice as a result of it’s so scrumptious. Whereas some variations are virtually like a delicate roll, alongside the coast it’s a hardier bread with grated coconut inside.
Attempt each and see which one you want higher.
31. Caballitos
Inexperienced papaya cooked down with sugar and cinnamon, it is a candy deal with you’ll discover alongside the Colombian coast.
I attempted it in Palengue, the primary “free city” for Afro Colombian slaves. It’s value visiting this city as a day journey from Colombian and don’t iss the meals as a result of it’s scrumptious.
32. Pandebono
One of many easiest avenue meals snacks, pan de bono is frequent at breakfast however you’ll discover a lot of outlets promoting it all through the day.
Pandebono is made with yuca flour, cheese and egg. Though it’s most well-known in Cali Colombia and the Valle del Cauca area it’s now a well-liked avenue meals all through Colombia.
However you’ll discover pan de bono all through Colombia in numerous shapes. Some desire the bagel model and others the balls that are chewy and delicate within the center.
In case you’re consuming Colombian avenue meals and it’s scrumptious, put up it on Instagram and tag me @Ayngelina so I can share it!
