If you're a true foodie then you like to try just about anything. Going to new restaurants and trying different kinds of food is what you live for. But regardless if you're a foodie or not, trying a new kind of food can be a little intimidating. You're sitting there reading dishes you may not be familiar with, not knowing if it is going to be something you'll like. The worst part about going somewhere new is ordering a dish expecting it to be amazing and it ends up being everything but.
If you have ever had Colombian food then you know Colombians offer some of the most delicious and savory dishes. When reading the menu at any Colombian restaurant everything may seem appetizing, driving you a little crazy not knowing what to order. So I decided to put together a list of some of the ten best Colombian dishes. At least one of these can be found at any Colombian restaurant you go to.
Bandeja Paisa
The Bandeja Paisa is one of the most notorious dishes in Colombia. It consists of red beans cooked with pork, white rice, ground meat, chicharron, fried egg, plantains, chorizo, arepa, avocado, and lemon. It is served on a big a plate and whoever can finish this plate completely, hats off to you.
Sancocho
Sancocho is more like a stew. It combines potatoes, yuca, corn, plantains, and meat. For Colombians who don't live in Colombia anymore, one taste of this soup and they are transported back home.
Ajiaco
This is another type of soup, but this one is more like a chicken soup. The main ingredient, besides chicken, being potatoes. Add some lime juice and white rice into the soup and you'll be craving this chicken soup every other day.
Pescado Frito (fried fish)
This dish consists of an entire fried fish. Most common served fish are red snapper, mojarra, and tilapia. Most dishes come accompanied with white rice, beans, plantains, and avocado.
Arroz con pollo
This dish is famous in almost every Latin country. Each country having their spin to it. This is everyone's moms and grandmas' safety net when they have no idea what to cook for lunch or dinner. No matter how many times you have it, this dish will never get old.
Super Perro/ Perro Colombiano
The Super Perro or Perro Colombiano is a hot dog that has just about anything and everything you can think of. Some of the toppings being, coleslaw, pineapple sauce, ketchup, mayo, mustard, potato chips, bacon, cheese... the list goes on and on. You might have to cut this hot dog into several pieces just so you can take a bite.
Empanadas
These are served more as a "snack" or an appetizer. The crust is made with corn masa and the traditional filling consist of meat, potatoes, and different spices. There are empanadas filled with chicken, cheese, ham and cheese, and spinach. Normally the meat and chicken empanadas are served with an aji, which is a Colombian hot sauce.
Fritanga
This dish is somewhat similar to the Bandeja Paisa. It includes fried green plantain (patacones), pork belly (chicharron), small yellow potatoes, chorizo, pork ribs, yuca fries, and ripe plantains.
Arroz con coco
This coconut flavored rice is the perfect side dish to serve with almost anything. The key to making this dish is Titote. Titote is the caramelized leavings created as a result of cooking coconut milk. Titote is sold in jars, making this dish a bit easier to cook.
Bocadillo con queso
And for those who have a sweet tooth, you can never go wrong with bocadillo con queso. This is one of the most satisfying salty and sweet combinations one can have. If you've ever had a queso and guava pastelito then you have practically had this dessert. Remove the crust and you have yourself a bocadillo con queso.
