Colombian Food: 28 Traditional Dishes to try in Colombia or at home

Latin America is famous for its delicious food, and Colombia does not disappoint. In fact, sampling Colombian food is one of the top reasons to visit Colombia. Like its country, Colombian cuisine is diverse and exciting.

You may spot the odd Caribbean food or Peruvian dish in these 28 best dishes – Colombian cuisine is massively influenced by its surrounding regions and colonial history. The country is split into six regions, each of which has its own regional specialties as well. Remember that there are regional differences when traveling around Colombia’s must-see cities – you don’t want to miss out on a specialty dish.

28 Traditional Colombian Dishes

Ready to explore the best Colombian food? Whether you want to try some Colombian cuisine at home or are visiting Colombia and are excited to try local dishes, this guide will introduce you to the best. We’ll cover everything, from Empanadas to Frijoles Rojos. Let’s dive straight in.

1. Colombian Empanadas

Colombian empanadas have been a favorite dish since colonial times. Its appearance is much like a Cornish pasty, and the pastry is folded over with a filling inside. It’s easy to spot with its characteristic semi-circle shape and pinched edge.

You’ll find ground meat, potatoes, cheese, and hogao (tomato salsa sauce) inside. Of course, there are some recipe variations – especially for meat-free versions of the dish. Colombian empanadas are straightforward to make at home and delicious to eat in Colombia. If you want a quick, easy snack, empanadas are one of the best Colombian dishes.

If you want to try an empanada before you travel to Colombia, you can follow this recipe to make your own at home.

2. Pandebono

The legend behind pandebono is that an Italian baker living in Cali created the bread. When he sold it, he used to walk the streets shouting ‘pane del buono’ (good bread); the name stuck, and the bread became one of the most popular Colombian foods.

So, what is it exactly? The bread is also nicknamed Colombian cheese bread, which should give you a good hint. It is made with melted cheese, yuca flour, and eggs and shaped into bagel or ball shapes. You can eat pandebono at breakfast, as street food, or as a side at dinner – it is a flexible dish. Remember that it is best eaten when it is still warm out of the oven. Pandebono is a dish intended to be eaten as fresh as possible.

To get in the mood for your Colombian travels, make your own Pandebono at home with this…