Popular Colombian Foods: A Guide to Family Eating

If there is one thing that Colombians know how to do it’s eat! The cuisine in Colombia is mouthwatering, delectable, easy going, and fun. Throughout history Colombians have been creating delicious meals with few ingredients. When you travel with kids, food is always an important thing to take into consideration. In Colombia you don’t have to worry if kids will like the food, we know they will! Here is a guide to some of the most popular Colombian foods to try on your family vacation.

Bandeja Paisa (bande-ha pie-e-sa)

This popular Colombian food is the national dish of Colombia. The main goal of this dish is to fill a person up and we really mean fill a person up! Bandeja Paisa consists of rice, arepa (more on this later), avocado, black sausage, plantain, minced meat, fried pork rind, chorizo, and a fried egg to top it all off. This meal was originally for peasant workers to give them enough energy to work all day. Now it’s a popular meal for lunch or a special occasion. With all of these different options as part of one meal, your kids are bound to like at least one part of it!

Empanadas (em-pa-na-da)

You can find empanadas in several Latin American cultures, but Colombia put its own spin on this classic. In Colombia, this popular food is deep fried. You can fill the flaky dough with virtually anything, but the most popular fillings are beef, pork, chicken, or cheese. This is the perfect grab-and-go snack while exploring. Hand one off to your kids as you start your city walking tour and they’ll love it!

Chocolate con Queso (chocolate con k-so)

Now before you give pause, hear us out: chocolate and cheese go well together. While you might not think about taking bits of cheese and dipping them into hot chocolate, Colombians love it. This is especially true in the capital, Bogota. Usually eaten for breakfast or in the late afternoon, this is a fun snack that kids love to try and we promise it tastes delicious!

Arepa (ar-rey-pa)

The Arepa may quite possibly be the most popular Colombian food. In the simplest terms, an arepa is bread made with cornmeal. You can have an arepa on its own with some butter or corn; or it can be a side dish for another meal such as bandeja paisa.

Cazuela de Mariscos (caswella de mar-is-cos)

This creamy seafood stew is most popular in coastal towns. The base of the soup is coconut milk with an assortment of vegetables and spices added in. Whatever seafood is on hand can be added to the soup, although one of the staples in every pot is prawns. No matter the temperature, locals will regularly enjoy a bowl while relaxing on the beach. Pull up a chair, bury your feet in the sand, and dig in!

Arequipe (ah-rey-kee-pay)

When in Colombia, make sure your family has some arequipe. This sweet dessert is comparable to dulche de leche. You can find arequipe in different flavors from chocolate to coffee. It’s best to eat with wafers, green figs, or as we’ve seen some kids do, by the spoonful!

Ajiaco (ah-he-a-co)

Made famous in the capital city, any family that travels to Colombia should enjoy a bowl of ajiaco. It’s typically prepared with chicken, a variety of potatoes, corn, and a Colombian herb called guasca. This is an easy dish to get kids to try, it’s just chicken soup! A great way to enjoy this popular Colombian food is to take a family cooking class to learn how to make it. It’s not only fun, but delicious!

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