Arepas

Made of corn dough, arepas are one of Colombia’s most iconic staples. Lightly salted with a mild corn flavor, each region adds its own variation.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️A soft interior

✔️A lightly crisp outside

Can be found on:

• Street grills
• Markets
• Restaurants
• Food courts
• Bakeries
• Carts

For the best arepas in Cartagena, visit Arepa de Huevo.

Bandeja Paisa

Bandeja Paisa combines rice, beans, ground beef, pork, plantain, and egg into a hearty and filling meal. It has a savory, well-seasoned flavor, driven by slow-cooked beans and lightly salted meats.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️ Well-seasoned beans with a creamy texture
✔️ Fresh, not greasy, accompaniments

Can be found on:

• Traditional restaurants
• Local eateries
• Food courts
• Family-run kitchens
• Lunch-only spots

To try bandeja paisa, visit Mistura.

Ajiaco Santafereño

Ajiaco Santafereño is a traditional soup from Bogotá, made with chicken, corn, and three types of potatoes. It has a mild, herbal flavor and a distinctive guasca (a traditional Colombian herb) aroma.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️ A thick, comforting broth
✔️ Clearly distinct potato textures
✔️ A fragrant aroma from guascas

Can be found on:

• Traditional restaurants
• Local lunch spots
• Markets with hot food counters
• Home-style kitchens

To try ajiaco santafereño, visit San Valentín.

Sancocho

Sancocho is a traditional stew enjoyed across the country, with regional variations. Made with meats, corn, plantain, yuca (cassava), and potatoes, it has a savory broth and vegetable flavor.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️ A rich, deeply flavored broth
✔️ Tender meats that fall apart easily
✔️ Fresh root vegetables, not overcooked

Can be found on:

• Roadside eateries
• Rural restaurants
• Local markets
• Family-style restaurants
• Weekend food spots

To try sancocho, visit La Cocina de Pepina.

Tamal

Tamal is made from corn dough filled with meats, vegetables, and seasonings, all wrapped in banana leaves and slowly steamed. With a soft corn flavor, slightly savory, each region has its own version, varying in ingredients and size.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️ A moist, well-seasoned corn dough
✔️ Balanced fillings, not dry or bland
✔️ A fragrant aroma when unwrapped

Can be found on:

• Bakeries
• Breakfast spots
• Street stalls in the morning
• Markets
• Traditional kitchens

To try tamal, visit La Esquina del Pandebono.

Cazuela de Mariscos

Cazuela de Mariscos is a coastal dish made with a mix of seafood simmered in a creamy, savory broth. Warm and flavorful, it reflects the country’s Caribbean influence. Although it is salty, it is also slightly sweet.

You can tell it’s good quality by:

✔️ Fresh seafood with no fishy smell
✔️ A creamy but not heavy sauce
✔️ Well-balanced seasoning, not overpowering

Can be found on:

• Seafood restaurants
• Coastal eateries
• Tourist areas near the beach
• Local lunch spots

To try cazuela de mariscos, visit La Vitrola Restaurante.