la paz’s awesome food
August 2024
One of the most beautiful things of traveling is exploring the local cuisine of the country you’re visiting.
Bolivian cuisine may still be relatively unknown worldwide, but it gains more recognition each year.
Thanks to Bolivia's young, talented foodies and creative chefs, traditional dishes from this country are slowly making their way onto the global stage. Each region in Bolivia offers its own unique meals, ingredients, and stories, resulting in a rich and diverse culinary heritage that blends indigenous ingredients with Spanish, African, and other cultural influences.
In La Paz, every meal holds special moments, with lunch being the most important of the day. The city’s cuisine includes flavorful dishes such as salteñas (meat-filled pastries) and sopa de maní (peanut soup), which are local preference for rich, warming foods fitted to the cold high-altitude climate.
During one of my first weeks in La Paz, I went out with friends to enjoy some street food at night. They took me to a small stall where a woman was grilling meat skewers. My friends told me it was filet, served with potatoes and a peanut sauce. Delicious! Later, they said that the filet was actually cow heart, but they had told me it was filet to get me to try it. Smart move— it was really delicious. A nightly street meal not to be missed while visiting La Paz!
La Paz offers a wide range of dining options, from small street food stalls where locals gather for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, to top-end restaurants considered among the best in South America, and everything in between. Choose the places that best fit your travel style. Here are five dishes that you shouldn't miss while visiting La Paz, Bolivia:
Here are five dishes that you shouldn't miss while visiting La Paz, Bolivia:
salteñas
These savory pastries are a must-try, filled with a delicious mixture of meat, potatoes, peas, and a slightly sweet and spicy sauce.
sopa de maní
This traditional Bolivian peanut soup is hearty and flavorful, made with peanuts, potatoes, vegetables, and sometimes meat, and garnished with fried potato sticks.
anticuchos
Skewers of marinated and grilled beef heart, served with boiled potatoes and a spicy peanut sauce, are a popular and tasty treat.
APi con pastel
A classic breakfast pairing, api is a warm, thick drink made from purple or white corn, flavored with cinnamon and cloves, and served with pasteles, deep-fried pastries often filled with cheese.
sajta
A traditional Bolivian dish made with shredded chicken cooked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of aji peppers, garlic, and onions, typically served with potatoes and corn.
So, safely, try dishes you've never heard of—while they may sometimes delicious and other times disappoint, each meal is an adventure in its own right?! Remember, it’s not just about the flavors on your tongue, but the memories you create along the way.
Be a bit crazy, be food brave, and even if a dish isn't your favorite in the moment, it will surely leave you with a lasting memory.
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