Here's out list of dishes to try in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, in no particular order. Most of the countries we visited in South America had delicacy's, national dishes or street food that was mostly meat or fish based, so unfortunately this list isn't going to be very appetising if you're vegetarian or vegan, occasionally there is an alternative listed.
1. Lomo / Pollo Saltado, Peru
A good description would be a Peruvian style stir fry, most commonly served as lomo saltado, a beef steak, but our preference is pollo saltado, the chicken version. Sometimes you can also find pork or seafood saltado on the menu too. Usually served with rice or chips or both! We don't think this does it justice, its delicious and ooozing with flavour. Sizing portions varied a lot, the ones pictured were probably some of the smaller dishes we got.
2. Argentinian BBQ
Visit a Argentinian Ranch for a BBQ then go riding through the ranch and wineries on horseback, one of our best days in Argentina. There's plenty great steak restaurants in the likes of Buenos Aires but nothing beats a BBQ, there was also options for vegetarians here!
3. Pachamanca a la Olla, Peru
An ancient Inca dish from the Andes. The meat and potatoes are covered in herbs and cooked underground, often a blessing ceremony is carried out once the food as been placed underground and covered in plantain leaves and earth, a then 'married couple' pour a drink over the food, giving a ritual offering and thanks to the pachamama, 'mother earth' The dish translates from quechan, 'pacha' = earth, 'manca' = oven. The taste is questionable, and certainly has the 'earthen' flavour that it aims to have, but it was definitely more about the experience than the taste for us.
4. Fish and Seafood, Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui
Now, not technically part of South America, but a Chilean territory and part of our big trip, so we couldn't not include it, especially when it has some of the best fish and seafood you will ever have. Visit our favourite; Neptune Island, and try the seafood curry, calamari and grilled fish of the day. In the centre of Hanga Roa try HakaHonu for more great food. Take a bit of a walk to find Tataku Vave, it was recommended to us by a local, slightly harder to find, and you think you're going the wrong way, but you finally come across it, make sure to be there for sunset!
5. Ecuadorian Ceviche
A staple dish, we were hesitant about the raw fish but gave it ago, especially when it was free as part of our tour of the Galapagos. Ceviche is fish and shellfish cured with acidic sauces rather than cooked. It comes served with; onion, tomato, olive oil, salt, lots of citrus juices, sometimes with garlic, olives and chillies, but always with coriander, and lots of it. The coriander was often the deal breaker as to who loved it or hated it. The best ones we tried were in various restaurants on the Galapagos Islands, the food market at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, and the food market in Banos, Ecuador.
6. Caesar salad of Arequipa, Peru
Now I know you may have read 'caesar salad' and thought, 'but i can try that at home' ... You certainly can try it at home, thats how I found I loved caesar salad, but this is Arequipas version. I was a bit hesitant to try a much loved salad from home, 'will it be the same?' 'will it solve my cravings?' etc , I decided to go for it, and it was the best decision that day. This caesar salad from Capriccio, Arequipa, was everything and more, it's still a joke my travel friends have today - It was so good I couldn't stop talking about it. We all went back the next day and I obviously opted for the caesar salad again! Finding familiar foods from home is always hard when travelling. I understand many go in the opposite direction, looking for new foods to try, I'm with you on that one, but, just sometimes it's nice to have that home comfort, whatever that may be for you. Mine turned out to be the caesar salad of Arequipa.
7. Mexican Tacos from Sucre, Bolivia
You might be thinking, but isn't this Bolivia, or can't I make this at home, but this did not disappoint. A group of 4 of us got this dish from, Joyride cafe in Sucre, after reading on the menu; 'sharing for 4 men/ 5 women', so we took this as a challenge. A platter of wraps, salsa, cheese, dips, guacamole, sweetcorn, peppers, beans, beef, the dish kept you wanting more. The bean filling is also vegetarian so you can share it with any vegetarian friends. If you're in search of traditional bolivian food, Sucre is a great place to book into a cooking class, an immersive expeirence run by some locals in their homes for the most authentic experience.
8. Empanadas, Everywhere
We found empanadas in most places we visited across South America, though they were slightly different in each country. They are also so cheap, yet brilliantly local and delicious, with a great variation of fillings to choose from, you'll find one that suits you. The best ones we found were from street vendors and food markets, we went to one restaurant that specialises in them, and surprisingly these turned out the most disappointing.
9. Rocoto Relleno, Peru
It's a traditional Peruvian dish of stuffed peppers, typically filled with beef, vegetables, potatoes, cheese, cream and sometimes nuts and raisins, there's also a vegetarian version, and its super hot and spicy. Try it in Ary Quepay, Arequipa.
10. Peruvian delicacy's - Llama, Alpaca and Guinea Pig
If you're a big meat eater, are up for trying anything and want a really authentic experience, try llama stew, alpaca steak or roasted guinea pig, all very popular delicacy's. The most daring choice, is probably the guinea pig, or cuy as they're called in Peru, its a large one, roasted on a stick,
head still attached and teeth sticking out, sometimes flattened, if you can stomach it, give it ago and props to you. Llama and alpaca are in abundance in Peru, so it's not surprise they are another delicacy, and slightly easier to stomach than a full guinea pig on your plate, just make sure you do your research and go somewhere that is known to be good for traditional dishes and ask locals!
Special mention to: the witchity grub like bug in the Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador
Our homestay host brought these bugs out in the middle of us making chocolate, they were wriggling about the leaf, and she proceeded to eat one then offer them to us, we all stared in shock, the hosts laughed and proceeded to take them away. A few minutes later, they were brought back out no longer wriggling but cooked, some of the group tried them, with varying reactions. Anything from, maybe dipping them in chocolate will make them taste better, to I think I'm going to be sick I need a drink to they weren't so bad.
Socks and Sandals
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