Traditional Colombian Food You Must Try

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Food is always a centric part of the trips we take. It expands our connection with the culture and gives us a true sense of a place, more so than any other activity, in my opinion. Colombia has an incredibly rich food culture, so the first thing you should do is book a food tour, so you can experience as much traditional Colombian food as possible.

Colombia is a great place to travel to as a foodie because you’ll find new and exciting foods to try everywhere you turn. Before you start traveling take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the Colombian foods you should try while you’re visiting, so you know what to look for.

colombia food

If you have time, we suggest booking a food tour in Colombia. It’s a fun way to spend a few hours and a really great way to be sure you try a lot of popular Colombian food. Here are a few recommendations for food tours we’ve tried and enjoyed:

Most of these foods can be found in any city in Colombia. Although some of them are specific to one region, they have become popular throughout the country and can be found everywhere.

What Traditional Dishes Is Colombia Known For?

Colombia is increasingly recognized and celebrated for its vibrant and diverse culinary scene. The country’s rich cultural heritage and geographical diversity contribute to a wide array of popular Colombian foods that captivate the taste buds of locals and visitors alike.

Colombian cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, resulting in flavorful and hearty dishes. Traditional Colombian dishes include arepas, empanadas, bandeja paisa, and ajiaco showcase the country’s culinary creativity. Though don’t leave without trying a arepa!

Foods You Must Eat in Colombia

Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja Paisa
Bandeja Paisa (photo by Savored Journeys)

One of the most popular Colombian dishes you’ll come across in traditional restaurants is the bandeja paisa. It’s one complete dish, but made up of many separate foods, much like a full English breakfast.

The bandeja paisa is served on a platter and contains beans, rice, chicharron, chorizo, carne molida (ground beef), a fried egg, a ripe plantain, avocado and an arepa. Yes, all of that! It’s huge, so don’t order it unless you’re really hungry, or sharing it with someone else.

Paisa is the word for a person from the Paisa region of Colombia. Bandeja means platter. This dish came about from a confluence of the cultures that have influenced the cuisine of Colombia over the years.

Ajiaco Soup

Ajiaco Soup
Ajiaco Soup (photo by Savored Journeys)

A very popular soup you can find in Colombia is the Ajiaco soup. It’s made with chicken, three kinds of potatoes, corn, and an herb called guascas. The potatoes mix together with the broth to make a hearty, thick soup base to which the chicken, avocado and corn are added.

The dishes are then typically topped with crema and capers. There are many restaurants in Bogota and Medellin where you can try ajiaco soup. We had this beautiful bowl of deliciousness at La Puerta de la Catedral in the main section of Bogota, which I would highly recommend.

There’s also a restaurant that’s actually called “El mejor ajiaco del mundo (the best ajiaco in the world)” located in La Candalaria.  Both of these restaurants also have a great bandeja paisa, as well. In Medellin, you can find some great ajiaco soup at Ajiacos y Mondongos or Mondongos.

Sopa de Mondongo

Mondongo soup
Mondongo soup (photo by Savored Journeys)

Another popular soup you must try in Colombia is sopa de mondongo. These dishes are typical in other former Spanish colonies in Latin America, so you may have tried it elsewhere.

It’s made with diced tripe that has been slow-cooked with a variety of vegetables, like bell peppers, onions, carrots, cabbage, celery, tomatoes, cilantro, garlic or root vegetables. All of these flavors meld together into one very flavorful soup. If you don’t like tripe (or don’t want to even try it), you won’t like this soup. Order the ajiaco instead.

Empanadas Colombianas

Empanadas Colombian
Empanadas Colombian (photo by Savored Journeys)

You’ve probably had empanadas before, seeing as they are a main stay in many different cuisines. However, the empanadas in Colombia differ slightly from other versions. They are made with a corn wrapper and they are deep fried. For comparison, Argentinean empanadas use a flour wrapper and are baked.

You want to try a Colombian empanada when they are just fresh out of the fryer. When they are crispy and hot, they are heavenly dishes. When you purchase empanadas at a shop that’s dedicated to only empanadas, you’re in for a treat. Typically they are served with a lime and some sauce.

But when you get them at a shop, you can stand around the counter and try all of the different sauces they have. Usually, you’ll find 3-10 different sauces. You have to take tiny bites (because the empanadas are very small), but each bite you can add a different sauce to.

Arepas

Arepas
Arepas (photo by Savored Journeys)

Arepas are quite possibly the most popular food to be found in Colombia. They are made and served in almost every restaurant, as well as at home. It’s made with corn maize, flattened into a disc shape, and grilled until it’s cooked through and a bit crispy on the outside.

There are many different versions of arepas you can find. There are large arepas, small ones, fat ones, skinny ones, stuffed with cheese and other toppings, used as a sort of flatbread with all kinds of toppings, or cut in half and used as sandwich bread. It’s important to eat arepas when they are just made and still warm.

Arepas are still okay when they’re cold, but not nearly as good as freshly made.  If you find an arepa stand where there are a lot of people hovering around, you know you’ve found a good one! In Medellin, you’ll find a whole menu full of arepa topping choices at the restaurant chain J&C Delicias.

Patacones de Colombia (Fried Plantains)

Patacones
Patacones (photo by Savored Journeys)

I’ll admit that I don’t love plantains. They’re a little starchy for me. But when you turn a plantain into a patacone, I do love them. You do this by smashing the plantain into a flat pancake and double-frying it.

The result is crispy, but chewy, warm and slightly savory fried goodness. Patacones make a good appetizer or snack at a bar. They often come served with a couple of sauces that you can slather on top.

Buñuelo (Colombian Cheese bread)

Making pandebono
Making pandebono (photo by Savored Journeys)

These little bread balls are a hit on the street. When you find a bakery that’s selling them, you’ll see that they almost can’t keep up with the demand. They’re basically little balls of dough made from corn flour, cassava starch, cheese, and eggs.

They are then deep fried and served piping hot. You can also find them stuffed with various jams, of which guava jam is the most popular. Buñuelos are often eaten as a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Pandebono is similar but baked in the oven, rather than fried.

Popular Colombian Desserts

Oblea

Oblea
Oblea (photo by Savored Journeys)

You’re going to see these everywhere in Colombia’s big cities. There are oblea carts practically everywhere. At first, I had no idea what it was they were making with all those toppings, but then I tried one and it became clear why there are so many of them.

According to the Beyond Colombia free food tour guide, these crispy wafer snacks were a major hit with the kids after church let out on Sundays. You can choose which toppings you want served on your oblea from the many choices on the cart.

There’s dolce de leche, crema, shredded cheese, a few different jams, nuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc. I asked the guide which was the most popular and he said the dolce de leche and shredded cheese was a popular combination among Colombians, so I tried that one. It was pretty tasty.

Hot Chocolate & Cheese

Hot chocolate and cheese
Hot chocolate and cheese (photo by Savored Journeys)

I know this one sounds strange, but it’s actually pretty good. This drink – slash – dessert is how Colombians drink their hot chocolate – and why not! The cheese that’s used is easy melting and low saltiness, so it doesn’t overwhelm or even really change the sweetness of the chocolate.

The only difference is that you plop a couple of big chunks of cheese into the bottom of the mug while it’s still hot and a few minutes later you fish out the now melted cheese and eat it while you’re sipping the chocolate.

I admit, I was skeptical, but it’s actually really good. If you were trying it at home, you’d want to use a mild, melty cheese like queso blanco, hamoulli or mozzarella.

Mazamorra Colombiana

Mazamorra (sobremesa
Mazamorra (sobremesa) (photo by Savored Journeys)

I’m not really sure how to classify this one, so I’m going to call it a dessert. They typically call it a sobremesa (after dinner) drink. But don’t let that fool you, because it’s not what most of the world refers to as an after-dinner drink, or digestivo.

It’s basically a bowl of really soft, long cooked corn and milk, or claro, which is the cooking liquid from the corn. It’s served cold in a large mug and you’re supposed to eat the corn then drink the milk. I might also add that it’s served with a packet of sugar so you can make it as sweet as you like. And often on the side is served a small square of guava paste.

Guava Paste (Bocadillo)

Guava Paste
Guava Paste (photo by Savored Journeys)

After a meal, you may be given a little square of bocadilla. It’s 100% guava pulp mixed with sugar and boiled down to a thick paste that can form a solid block. It is pretty sweet, but it’s also got intense guava flavor, and it’s really tasty.

Popular Colombian Drinks

Colombian Coffee

Colombia coffee beans
Colombia coffee beans (photo by Savored Journeys)

Everyone knows that Colombia has some of the best coffee in the world. They are the 3rd largest producer of coffee in the world, behind only Brazil and Vietnam. When you’re in Colombia, you really should spend a bit of time getting familiar with the different coffee regions and finding your favorite coffee brand.

Many cafes and coffee shops have tons of choices, and some even have classes and coffee-tasting experiences you can take. In Bogota, make a stop at Arte y Pasion Cafe to try their coffee experiences. In Medellin you can take a 2-hour coffee-tasting class at Toucan Cafe. Want to plan in advance? Book this specialty coffee workshop in Bogota.

Aguardiente

Aguardiente (photo by Savored Journeys)
Aguardiente (photo by Savored Journeys)

Aguardiente is the national liquor of Colombia. You can actually find different variations of aguardiente in many different countries, but it’s particularly popular in Colombia. The word means fiery (ardiente) water (aqua) or what we refer to as firewater in the U.S..

It has a strong anise flavor and is made from sugar cane. Depending on the method of production, the Colombia version of aguardiente can range from around 24-29% alcohol. You can find aguardiente mixed in cocktails or with sugar cane water, but it’s typical just drank neat, as a shot.

Craft Beer

Bogota Beer Company taster sampling
Bogota Beer Company taster sampling (photo by Savored Journeys)

Colombia has a growing number of high-quality craft beer producers these days, so if you’re a beer fan, you’ll want to seek out some of the top brands to give them a try. We enjoyed the microbrews and the atmosphere at Bogota Beer Company (which has branches around Bogota and Medellin).

They were the first to launch the craft beer scene in Bogota more than a decade ago. They have a large number of beers on tap to try, from Pale Ales to Stouts. They also have a taster tray of seven beers so you can try as many as you like.  Also try Tap House and El Mono Bandido.

Frequently Asked Questions on Colombian Food & Traditional Colombian Dishes

Are there any unique Colombian fruits?

Yes, Colombia is known for its diverse range of exotic fruits. Some examples include lulo, guanabana, feijoa, and mangosteen. These fruits are often used in beverages, and desserts, or enjoyed fresh.

How are plantains used in Colombian cuisine?

Plantains are a versatile ingredient in Colombian cooking. They can be fried, baked, or boiled and are served as a side dish, snack, or as a component in larger meals. Patacones (fried green plantains) are a tasty Colombian dish.

How do Colombians celebrate with food during festivals?

Colombian festivals are often celebrated with traditional dishes like lechona (roast pig), tamales, and various sweets. Local specialties vary, but food plays a central role in throughout the country. There are lots of guides online to read up on that showcase Colombian festivals.

What are some of the popular dishes that Colombians traditionally make?

Some must-try Colombian dishes include Bandeja Paisa, Ajiaco, Empanadas, Arepas, Lechona, Sancocho, Tamales, Buñuelos, Natilla, and Fritanga, each representing different regions and flavors.

Are traditional Colombian dishes spicy?

Colombian cuisine is not generally known for extreme spiciness, but it does incorporate a variety of flavorful spices. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the region and the specific dish.

CONCLUSION

If you are able to find and try each of these items while in Colombia, you’ll have a great grasp on the cuisine and the main staples of traditional Colombian cuisine. Of course, there are hundreds of other things that will tempt you, as well. We could only scratch the surface in this post.

If I missed your favorite Colombian food, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it on! Like this post? We’d love it if you would share it on your Pinterest board with the image on the left.

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Traditional Colombian Food You Must Try

14 thoughts on “Traditional Colombian Food You Must Try

  1. Colture says:

    I’ve enjoyed Ajiaco my whole life. However, since I arrived to Bogotá, I’ve rediscovered this very typical Colombian soup and made it part of my daily life.

    • Mariana says:

      Thanks for writing about delicious Colombian food! Always happy to see people appreciating my culture. However, Michelle is right. Those aren’t pandebonos. They’re buñuelos. Pandebonos are not fried. They’re both delicious, just not the same thing.

  2. Julián David Sánchez Gallego says:

    I love when some body speaks about this kind of things, I am colombian man from Medellín and I am really glad and love reading about my country’s food, sorry for my English 😅

    • William says:

      Thank you for the interesting and good description of our delicious Colombian food, yeah…is a lot of great dishes, waiting to be testing.

  3. Nancy Camargo says:

    You can’t imagine how my heart feels full of joy…when I read relating to my native country…keep up your good news…thanks…

  4. Benny says:

    You covered only food from a certain region. The CARIBBEAN food which I must say is much livelier was not mentioned at all. By the way the Bandeja Paisa which delicious came about because poor Colombians from the past used to put together whatever was left over from the day before & Ofcourse it’s morning breakfast so egg is added. That’s why it actually can & does vary a little from what’s in it. Always good to read about different countries. Thank you posting.

  5. Richard Charry says:

    My kids and grand kids were born in Connecticut, USA but consider themselves Colombians they ❤️ colombam food

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