Alongside beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and lush rainforests, Costa Rica is home to some of the most unique and delicious foods. With fresh fruits and vegetables to die for, the cuisine reflects the diversity and distinctive culture of Costa Rica. Here are 8 tastes of Costa Rica you don’t want to miss:

1. Gallo Pinto 

First on our list is the famous, classic, and traditional dish of gallo pinto. Translated to “the painted rooster,” gallo pinto is the perfect combination of beans and rice - hence the name. Considered the national dish of Costa Rica, gallo pinto is very popular among locals. The rice and beans are paired with other ingredients to give it a little spice, such as red bell peppers, onion, and even some cilantro for garnish. Last–but certainly not least–we must not forget the famous Salsa Lizano. The tangy, slightly sweet, and very slightly spicy brown sauce is a Costa Rican delicacy. The smooth and a little runny sauce is pretty much delicious on everything.

2. Casado

Another Costa Rican traditional dish is casado. Translated to “marriage,” casado is known by the locals as a marriage of foods that work perfectly together. You can expect this to be available at almost every restaurant in Costa Rica. Typically, the dish is made up of rice, beans, salad, tortillas, fried platano maduro, and your choice of meat (if desired). If you’re feeling thirsty, casado can also be paired with a local, fresh fruit juice. Just like the gallo pinto, casado is also paired with a Costa Rican delicacy sauce - Chilero. 

3. Tamal

Not to be confused with the Mexican tamale, the Costa Rican tamal is a very popular traditional dish in this beautiful country. While typically a traditional Christmas dish in Costa Rica, tamales are available all year round. Consisting of rice, garbanzo beans, potatoes, and of course, your choice of meat, tamales are sure not to disappoint. Differing from Mexican tamales, Costa Rican tamales are quite limited with their spices, focusing mainly on garlic. They also wrap the tamales in banana leaves making this not only a tasty dish but a unique experience! 

4. Sopa Negra 

A foodie-list is never quite complete without a traditional soup. As a perfect mixture of black beans, onions, bell peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, egg, and other spices, sopa negra is a must try. While there are variations across all of Latin America, Costa Rica is known for this traditional delicacy. This soup is also a great option for vegetarians (and sometimes even gluten-free) as it is healthy, filling, and entirely natural. Served with warm corn tortillas and white rice on the side, sopa negra must not be missed when visiting Costa Rica.

5. Olla de Carne

No matter how much food you taste, it is always hard to beat a good old home-made beef stew. This is possibly the most consistently popular dish prepared in many homes all over Costa Rica. As Costa Rica is known for its incredibly fresh ingredients, olla de carne is unique in its look and taste. Filled with cassava, carrots, corn, plantains, and taro root, this stew is full of mind-blowing flavors that are impossible to forget. If that doesn’t fill you, olla de carne can be paired with rice, or beans, or both. 

6. Chifrijo

Served all over Costa Rica as a traditional dish, chifrijo is a must-taste. As a combination of chicharrones and frijoles, chifrijo can be considered a snack, a meal, or treat. Chicharrones are fried pork rinds and frijoles are beans - can you get any more Costa Rican than that? Served with fried tortilla chips, corn tortillas, or bread you will not go hungry. Chifrijo can be found at local events, farmer’s markets, and restaurants and we highly recommend giving it a try.

7. Patacones

Mainly served as a snack or appetizer, patacones consist of flattened and double-fried plantains. Paired with a pinch of sea salt, pico de gallo or even some mashed black bean dip, patacones are a Costa Rican delicacy. We cannot recommend the deep-fried deliciousness that is patacones enough.

8. Arroz con Leche

With all these incredible dishes, it is time for dessert. Although consisting of rice and milk, arroz con leche is actually a dessert. While it may sound quite plain, the taste is much more complicated and delicious than it sounds. Mixed with sugar, salt, lemon zest, and even cinnamon sticks, arroz con leche will not leave your sweet tooth unsatisfied. 

Post written by Brooklyn Cathers