National dishes from Latin America are fascinating, colorful, and yes—spicy!
From Mexican mole and Argentinian asado to Peruvian ceviche and Salvadoran pupusas, learn all about the many delicious creations of Latin American gastronomic creativity.
In this list, discover 15 most delicious national dishes of Latin America.
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Kaleidoscope of Cultural Cuisines15 Mouth-Watering, Delicious National Dishes of Latin AmericaLearn About Latin America National Dishes and Improve Your Spanish
Kaleidoscope of Cultural Cuisines
Latin American culture—a controversial concept in itself—is an amazing kaleidoscope of diverse cultural expressions of 20 countries, from Mexico in the north to the Chilean Tierra del Fuego in the south, including some (but not all) Caribbean islands.
If we accept that there’s such a thing as Latin American culture, then there should be a Latin American cuisine, right?
Well, it’s not that simple.
Latin American people love their food and feel proud of it. But there are often great differences between one national cuisine and the next. For this reason, Latin American cuisine is actually an aggregate of various national dishes.
Let’s explore them!
15 Mouth-Watering, Delicious National Dishes of Latin America
Check out these 15 delicious gastronomic creations produced by the endless imagination of Latin American chefs, cooks, and abuelitas (grandmas).
1. Mexico – Mole
Mexico’s cuisine was the first to be declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Although tacos may be its most famous dish, another culinary specialty is the national dish of Mexico: mole!
Mole is “the generic name given to an array of different sauces of diverse colors.” However these sauces aren’t your typical sauce that you pour over your tacos.
It’s a more refined sauce that sometimes includes chocolate! It often accompanies a main dish like chicken with rice, for instance.
Ingredients
English Spanishancho chileel chile anchochickenel pollocloveel clavodark chocolateel chocolate oscurogarlicel ajolardla mantecamulato chileel chile mulatoonionla cebollapasilla chileel chile pasillapeanutslos cacahuates / el manísaltla salsesameel ajonjolísugarel azúcartomatoeslos tomates
2. Peru – Ceviche
Peruvian cuisine is enjoying an international boom. It’s one of the most recognized Latin American cuisines in the world.
It’s also the cuisine with the largest number of dishes in the world. The most famous Peruvian export is ceviche (or cebiche).
This Latin American gastronomic classic includes raw fish, a mix of citrus juices, and a selection of vegetables. An apparently simple dish, it produces extraordinarily complex flavors and tastes.
Ingredients
English Spanishcorianderel cilantrogingerel jengibrehabanero red pepperel chile habanero rojolemonel limónlimela limamahi-mahiel mahi mahiplantain chipslos chips de plátanopurple onionla cebolla moradasaltla salsweet potatoeslas batatas dulcesyellow cornel maíz amarillo
3. Venezuela – Pabellón Criollo
Just like with Mexican tacos, Venezuelan arepas may be this South American country’s most famous food, but they aren’t its national dish. That honor belongs to the exquisite pabellón criollo.
A combination of traditional Venezuelan rice, meat, and beans is arranged on the plate representing the Venezuelan part. (Just don’t ask Venezuelan people where the blue color from their flag is on the plate.)
Ingredients
English Spanishriceel arrozplantainslos plátanos machosblack beanslos frijoles negrosgarlicel ajoonionla cebollacuminel cominosaltla salsugarel azúcarbaconel tocinoflank steakla falda de rescarrotslas zanahoriastomatoeslos tomatesoreganoel oréganoceleryel apio
4. Argentina – Asado
If you think you’re passionate about barbecues, Argentinian people have taken this passion to a whole different level. In Argentina, the asado is much more than a simple barbecue, it’s a way of life. Their entire cuisine revolves around this protein-rich dish.
Although asado is basically a barbecued steak, the way Argentinians prepare it makes it a unique dish.
First, there’s a special technique in the way the steak should be grilled, but to make a real asado argentino, you need to accompany the steak with chimichurri, potatoes, and white bread, among other ingredients.
Ingredients
English Spanishbeefla carne de reschimichurriel chimichurrichinchulineslos chinchulineschorizo sausagesel chorizolemonel limónlettucela lechugapotatoeslas papastomatoeslos tomateswhite breadel pan blanco
5. Cuba: Ropa Vieja
Cuba’s national dish literally translates as “old clothes” and legend has it that it got its name from a “penniless old man” who once cooked his own clothes while praying. Miraculously, the shredded clothes became a tasty meat stew.
Originally from Spain, ropa vieja traveled to the Americas centuries ago and quickly became a staple of Cuban gastronomy. This delicious dish of slow-cooked beef mixed with olives, tomatoes, and other vegetables is a must next time you visit Cuba.
Ingredients
English Spanishbeefla carne de resbell pepperslos pimientoscaperslas alcaparraschicken brothel caldo de pollocloveel clavocuminel cominogarlicel ajooliveslas aceitunasonionla cebollaoreganoel oréganopaprikael pimentóntomato pastela pasta de tomate
6. Guatemala: Pepian
Guatemala cuisine is heavily influenced by its strong Mayan heritage, as the Maya-Kaqchikel ethnic group originally made pepian. The dish is similar to the Mexican mole, a dense sauce with a fascinating mix of ingredients and flavors, poured over meats and accompanied by rice and vegetables.
Ingredients
English Spanishallspice berrieslas bayas de pimientablack peppercornslos granos de pimienta negroschicken stockel caldo de pollocinnamon stickslos ramitos de canelacloveel clavocoriander seedslas semillas de cilantrocornflourla harina de maízguisquilel guisquilonionla cebollaoreganoel oréganopotatoeslas papaspumpkin seedslas semillas de calabazasesame seedsel ajonjolítomatoeslos tomates
7. Dominican Republic: La Bandera
This proud representative of Caribbean cuisine literally means “the flag,” as it represents the Dominican Republic flag. The meat represents the blue, the rice represents the white, and the red beans the red color in the flag.
This delicious dish is usually served with a Dominican salad and a side dish, and sometimes it’s even presented to look like the actual Dominican flag.
Ingredients
English Spanishadobo seasoningel adobobeefla carne de resgarlicel ajooreganoel oréganoparsleyel perejilpepperla pimientaplantainslos plátanos machosred beanslos frijoles rojosred onionla cebolla moradariceel arrozWorcestershire saucela salsa Worcestershire
8. Colombia: Bandeja Paisa
The Colombian government named Colombia’s national dish in 2005. The decision was surrounded by controversy as Paisa refers to a northwestern region of the country called Antioquia, and some people felt the national dish should include the whole country.
This dish is full of animal protein and Colombians like it in large portions, so try it when hungry. It’s usually served in an oval plate and it includes fried pork, minced meat, chorizo, arepas, fried eggs, and avocado.
Ingredients
English Spanisharepaslas arepasavocadoel aguacatechicharronel chicharrónchorizoel chorizocuminel cominofried eggslos huevos fritoshogaoel hogaominced meatla carne molidariceel arrozsaltla salskinless pork bellyla panceta de cerdo sin pielsugarel azúcar
9. Ecuador: Cuy Asado
Ecuador doesn’t have a defined national dish like other Latin American countries. Some sources consider ceviche to be the national dish, others mention encebollado.
Still others choose the cuy asado. A cuy is a guinea pig, and asado means grilled. Meaning that you’ll be eating a grilled guinea pig. But don’t let prejudice take over your gastronomy adventures and try this dish with an open mind and, preferably, an empty stomach.
Ingredients
English Spanishcorianderel cilantrocuminel cominogarlicel ajoGuinea pigel cuylemonel limónonionla cebollapepperla pimientapotatoeslas papasriceel arrozsaltla salsugarel azúcartomatoeslos tomates
10. Honduras: Plato típico
Literally meaning “traditional dish,” the Honduran plato típico is a tasty mix of grilled meat, pork sausages, beans, fried plantain, and rice. Enjoy it with corn flour tortillas, avocado, and fresh cheese.
Ingredients
English Spanishavocadoel aguacatechismolel chismolfresh cheeseel queso frescogrilled meatel cilantropork sausagesel cominoriceel arrozstewed beans el ajo
11. Uruguay: Chivito
Chivito literally means “little goat” but in Uruguay it actually is a delicious steak sandwich. Although the beef steak is the main ingredient, the beauty about chivito is that it can include many more things such as egg, bacon, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
English Spanishbaconel tocinofried eggel huevo fritolettucela lechugamayonnaisela mayonesamozzarellala mozzarellaoliveslas aceitunassteakla carne de restomatoeslos tomateswhite breadel pan blanco
12. Costa Rica: Gallo Pinto
Although gallo pinto means “spotted rooster,” you won’t be eating any rooster when ordering this dish in Costa Rica. One of the few countries whose national dish is a breakfast food, as basically it’s a combination of beans and rice.
A funny thing about gallo pinto is that Nicaraguans also consider it their national dish and they engaged in a Guinness Book of Records with Costa Rica to see which country could cook the most gallo pinto.
Ingredients
English Spanishblack beanslos frijoles negroscorianderel cilantroonionla cebollared pepperel pimiento rojochicken brothel caldo de pollowhite riceel arroz blancosaltla salvegetable oilel aceite vegetal
13. Brazil: Feijoada
The name of Brazil’s national dish comes from the Portuguese feijão which means “bean,” as feijoada is an exquisite black bean stew enriched with smoked pork or beef and served with rice, vegetables, and orange slices.
Ingredients
English Spanishsmoked baconel tocino ahumadobone-in pork shoulderel hombro de puerco con huesoonionla cebollagarlicel ajodried black beanslos frijoles negros secossmoke hamel jamón ahumadobay leaveslas hojas de laurelblack pepperla pimienta negracooked riceel arroz cocidosliced orangela naranja en rodajas
14. El Salvador: Pupusas
Pupusas are an essential part of the fascinating tortilla culture that spreads across Latin America.
Although they look like tortillas, they’re actually filled with hot cheese and beans or other ingredients. The word pupusa comes from pupusawa, which means to puff up or to inflate in the ancient Náhuatl language spoken by the indigenous people of El Salvador.
Ingredients
English Spanishbeanslos frijolescabbageel repollocheeseel quesocornmeal flourla masa harinafried pork bellyel chicharrón
15. Paraguay: Sopa paraguaya
Even though sopa paraguaya means “Paraguayan soup,” this South American country’s national dish isn’t actually a soup. It’s a moist cornbread casserole you eat with a roast, chili, or stew.
Ingredients
English Spanishcassava rootla yucachickenel pollocornel maízgarlicel ajoonionla cebollaplantainel plátanopotatoeslas papassaltla sal
Learn About Latin America National Dishes and Improve Your Spanish
These are some of the most delicious dishes in Latin America, a region famous around the world for its extraordinary gastronomy. Learn about these national dishes—perhaps find a restaurant that serves them or even make them in your own kitchen—and improve your Spanish food vocabulary!
One of the main benefits of speaking Spanish is that it makes it easier for you to travel to Spanish-speaking countries. Next time you visit Latin America, make sure to try one or more of these dishes. You won’t be disappointed!
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