Food and local cuisine are important aspects of any culture. It’s a great way to get a “taste” (pun intended) of the local culture. For me as a food lover, cuisine is a source of excitement, as well as a source of culture shock.
Each region in Colombia prepares distinctively different types of food based on the availability of local ingredients and climate conditions. Here are some key regions and their dishes:
The capital city of Bogota with its cool weather high up in the mountains, hearty dishes such as Ajiaco (pronounced ah-he-ak-ko, potato and chicken soup) are extremely popular in the region. I would categorize this dish as soul food, because it soothes mine. There is also an abundance of great international cuisine options due to its large, metropolis population of over 11 millions inhabitants.
Centrally located Medellin (pronounced meh-de-jin) in the department of Antioquia with spring-like temperature offers Bandeja Paisa (pronounced ban-de-ha pie-sa), a plentiful plate of very filling items that nourished the hard-working farmers in this region. It’s delicious but not for the faint of heart.
Big coastal cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla, Buenaventura and Santa Marta serve up simple, fresh and tasty seafood dishes straight from the sea. Not sure what else any traveler could ask for.
Southern regions with cities like Cali and Pasto offer a mix of central and coastal dishes. The fusion of cultures is represented in all the dishes.
Frying seems to be the most popular method of preparing food, and Colombians love deep-fried dishes such as empanadas, buñuelos and fried chicken. GUILTY as charged!!! I may have indulged in a few of these tasty, greasy snacks.
I love the fact that Colombian families practice the strong bonding habits of eating together regularly, and everyone gets served their own separate portion/plate with all the offerings; and the most important etiquette to remember is to eat everything on your plate even if you’re stuffed like a turkey, no food is wasted. It is customary for Colombians to eat big lunches, dinner-size-like meals in North America and other regions, and only eat light snacks at dinner time. I’m unsure if this is inherited from the Spaniards or it’s due to the fact that Colombian farmers eat big lunches to have the required energy to continue a hard day of work.
Here is a list of recommended popular dishes that should be on your culinary checklist:
Ajiaco (ah-he-ak-ko) – potatoes soup serves with chicken and corn on the cob
Bandeja paisa (ban-de-ha pie-sa) – a platter of various hearty items: rice, beans, ground beef, fried eggs, meat and rice sausages, avacado, and fried plantains
Chicharron (chi-cha-ron) – deep fried pork rind
Mondongo (mon-don-go) – tripe soup
Arepas (ah-re-pas) – cornmeal flat bread
Morcilla (mor-si-ja) – rice blood saugage
Buñuelos (bun-nweh-los) – fritters
Empanadas (em-pa-na-das) – half moon shape deep fried pies
Chocolate con queso (cho-co-la-tey kon ke-so) – hot chocolate with cheese
Colombia has access to abundant fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables. Naturally local vendors (vendedores, ven-de-door-res) sell these products on the streets and in the stores; in the streets, it’s common to see arepas, fruit and vegetable vendors offering from tiny makeshift stands to established superstores.
In general, Colombians prefer not to consume spicy food; this makes it very difficult for international chefs to produce certain authentic dishes. However, Medellin’s international food scene is vastly growing, offering a wide variety of cuisine options to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
Medellín’s international food scene:
Latin American Cuisines: In addition to traditional Colombian cuisine, Medellín also has a number of restaurants serving up Mexican, Peruvian, and Argentine food.
Asian Cuisines: There is a growing number of Asian restaurants in Medellín, offering dishes from countries like China and Japan.
Mediterranean Cuisines: Including Greek, Italian, and Lebanese, can also be found in Medellín.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options: With an increasing number of people interested in plant-based diets, Medellín offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, including restaurants that specialize in these cuisines.
International Grocery Stores: For those who prefer to cook their own meals, there are international grocery stores in Medellín that stock a wide range of international ingredients. Unfortunately since these are imported items, they are quite expensive.
How is the food quality compared to other metropolitan cities?
The quality of the food in Medellin is generally considered to be good and on par with other metropolitan cities. However, it is important to note that the quality of food can vary greatly depending on the individual restaurant and its sourcing and preparation methods.
Some international restaurants in Medellin are known for using high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods, while others may not be as consistent. As with any city, it’s best to do some research and read reviews before trying a new restaurant to get an idea of the quality of the food.
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” Charlemagne
More travel tips, anyone?
Another vital tip is to learn Spanish, even if you only know a few words or phrases. It will help you connect with the warm and welcoming Colombians who are always excited to share their culture. We definitely can help at www.spokenschool.com, we’re also on Instagram — @spoken_co.
