Eating Your Way Through Colombia: Must Try Traditional Dishes🍽️

🥘 Tamales – A Hearty Filling Meal

Colombian tamales are much bigger and more filling than their Mexican cousins and wrapped in  huge banana leaves.  The corn masa is soft and stuffed with juicy chicken, pork, veggies, and spices. The flavor, while juicy, is very mild and great if you're not into spicy food!

🌽 Peto – Warm, Sweet & Perfect for Cold Mornings

Imagine a thick, creamy porridge like corn drink, accompanied by bread with butter, cheese and pastries. While it was listed under drinks, portion wise it was a full meal, and definitely filling enough as breakfast. If you're into a sweet start of the day, Peto is a great option!

You can try both Tamales and Peto at "La Puerta Falsa" - traditional Colombian eatery in Bogota. 

🧀 Agua Panela con Queso – Sweet and Salty

Agua panela is made by dissolving unrefined sugar cane in hot water, creating a caramel-like drink. Then, they serve it with a chunk of fresh cheese, which you’re supposed to dip or just drop in and let melt. It's one of those love it or hate local drinks / snacks, for me the taste of sweet and salty was surprisingly pleasant!

🌮 Arepas & Empanadas – Sorry, But Not for Me

Okay, hot take—I didn’t love arepas. I know, I know, they’re a Colombian staple, but I found them a bit too dense and dry for my taste and even smothering them in lots and lots of salsa didn't make them much easier to swallow.  Same with empanadas—they were fine, but nothing I’d crave. I get why people love them, but personally, I was way more into the coastal dishes than the heavier corn-based ones.

🦐 Cazuela de Mariscos – My Absolute Favorite Dish

The Caribbean coast completely stole my heart when it came to food. It's much more rich and flavorful in comparison to blander dishes in the central Colombia. One of the best things I ate? Cazuela de Mariscos. It's a creamy seafood stew with shrimp, fish, mussels, and squid in a coconut milk broth served with rice and fried plantains.

🐟 Pescado Frito & Arroz con Coco – The Ultimate Coastal Meal

Another coastal win: whole fried fish served with arroz con coco (coconut rice). This dish is simple, fresh, and that coconut rice... I could eat a whole plate of it alone! The slight sweetness of the rice mixed with the salty, crispy fish was pure perfection. The only negative I can find is that the fish is served as a whole, with head and everything, and it can be off-putting for some people.

🍋 Ceviche – With a Delicious Colombian Twist

Colombian ceviche usually shrimp and white fish marinated in lime juice, ketchup (yes, ketchup), and onions. It's more tangy and sweet, rather than spicy (hint - Colombians don't really do spicy) and often served with a side of fried plaintains. It is super refreshing, especially when eaten on the beach with a cold beer in hand.

🍯 Solteritas – Sweet, Crispy, and Totally Addictive

These were a pleasant surprise! Solteritas are crunchy, bright orange pastries covered in thick arequipe (Colombian caramel). They’re light, crispy, and just the right amount of sweet. I grabbed one from a street vendor in Guatape, and can recommend them if you have a sweet tooth.

🐜 Hormigas Culonas – If you're up for something more... "spicy"?

Hormigas culonas literally mean "big-ass ants" and are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities.  While there's no scientific proof behind this belief, the idea has been passed down for generations and  locals say that eating these crunchy, toasted ants can boost energy, enhance libido, and improve stamina. They are sold in all major cities and are a hit in el Poblado, Medellin's night life district. I have to admit I didn't try them myself, but heard they are quite crunchy with a slight nutty flavor.  A unique experience for sure.  Would you give them a shot?