10 Dishes to taste on a trip to Colombia

Packed with rich flavors, hearty ingredients, and unusual taste combinations, Colombian food is as diverse as it is dazzling. Although it’s yet to shine on the international stage, like the cuisines of some of its near neighbors like Brazil and Argentina, the food scene in Colombia is exciting and unique.

The best way to embrace the tastes of Colombia is to book a flight to Bogotá and set off on a culinary adventure around the country. The friendly locals are proud of their local dishes and will happily assist hungry tourists navigating their way through the options, of which there are many.

But it always pays to do some planning, so here is a list of 10 dishes you should sample:

The jewel in Colombian cuisine’s crown is the much-loved national dish and an absolute must-try. Bandeja Paisa is a selection of local flavors, a taste of Colombia on a plate. Generally, it features rice, avocado, plantain, beans, and a LOT of meat, including sausages (chorizo and morcilla, or blood sausage), chicharrón (fried pork rind), and minced beef. It’s nourishing and delicious – but be warned, you need to bring a good appetite to the table.

On the snack end of the spectrum, the delicious South American pastries known as empanadas are particularly good in Colombia for a straightforward reason: they’re deep-fried. Think flaky pockets of pastry filled with a range of fillings depending on the region, including various meats, potatoes, rice, vegetables, crispy fries, different kinds of peppers, and even peanut sauce. They are often served with a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of the spiced relish known as ají, making it the perfect quick bite, provided you can stop at one.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and in a carnivorous mood (vegetarians, look away), then fritanga is the way to go. A great big plate of various types of grilled and fried meats all mixed, it often features a variety of offal and is terrific for sharing. Not for the faint of heart, it’s an authentic Colombian experience and best enjoyed with toothpicks (to pick up the juicy morsels) and an icy cold local beer.

For something a little lighter but just as full of meaty goodness, try a bowl of sancocho. This soup is full of treasures, usually chicken and other meats, plus corn on the cob, plantain, and beans. Like many Colombian dishes, it varies depending on who is making it so that you can enjoy different versions around the country; all served with rice, avocado, and ají dipping sauce on the side.

An alternative and equally excellent local soup is ajiaco, which is particularly popular in the central region of Colombia. Made with three types of potatoes from the Cundiboyacense Plateau, it also features chicken, cream, and capers and a unique daisy-like grassy herb known as guascas found in the mountains and is high in minerals, giving the soup a distinct and delicious flavor.

Another excellent snack option, often enjoyed for breakfast, is the cornmeal pancakes known as arepas. Frequently served on the side at meals, they can also be picked up at street stalls throughout the country, where they are split open and filled with a tasty mix of cheese, meat, and fried eggs.

Colombia has a comprehensive and glorious array of bananas, and the locals are incredibly creative in their uses, making them an essential item to try when you’re traveling around the country. A popular way to eat them is as patacones, green plantains flattened and twice-fried then served as little patties topped with anything from beans to meat or the tomato-based relish called hogao. Bananas are also often transformed into cayeye (a breakfast dish made from mashed guineos, a type of green banana) and little fried plantain balls known as marranitas when stuffed with pork and aborrajao when filled with cheese.

For a feast, try ordering the fabulous lechona, a luscious pork roast filled with rice, onion, and vegetables. The slow-cooked meat and spectacular crackling, combined with the intensely flavored rice, offer an epic dining experience usually reserved for special occasions and feast days and best shared with a large group.

Sweet treats are an essential part of Colombian cuisine, and there are plenty of sugary delights from which to choose. Due to the vast array of fruit available in Colombia (supposedly enough to enjoy a different one every day of the year), it’s not a surprise that they feature highly in desserts and are particularly popular when made into “candies,” which are a reduction of candied fruit and sugar. The best flavors include papaya, breva, blackberry, cape gooseberry, coconut, rhubarb, and guava – and working out your favorite one is the best part.

This street stall staple is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth: thin brown wafers (a bit like flat ice-cream cones) are sandwiched together with gooey fillings, including arequipe (the local version of caramel), jam, and chocolate. The flavors and toppings are laid out at each stall so you can mix and match to create your very own tailor-made Colombian dessert.