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- Jan 6, 2022
- 5 min read

Famous Food In Bolivia

Updated: Jan 14, 2022

Bolivian cuisine has been influenced by the Inca cuisine, Aymara cuisine, Spanish cuisine, and to a lesser extent the cuisines of other neighboring countries, like Argentina and Paraguay. European immigration to Bolivia is not as common when compared with other Latin American countries, and while German, Italian, Basque and other cuisines have influenced the cuisine of Bolivia, Spanish cuisine remains the primary influence.

Here Are the national and famous dishes you should try in Bolivia.

Enjoy Reading!

Sopa De Mani (Peanut soup)

Sopa de maní (peanut soup) is a traditional soup in Bolivia.

It is very unique, the main ingredient is the peanut, which is actually native to Bolivia.

This soup is textured, creamy made from finely ground raw peanuts, beef broth, diced tomato, diced onion, peas, cumin, and oregano.

It is served over a cut of calf or beef ribs with cubed boiled potatoes and topped with little crispy fries. it is accompanied by Llaju (a red Bolivian sauce that you can use to add spiciness to the dish).

It is always served on birthdays or special holidays.

Crema de Choclo

Crema de choclo also called lagwa de choclo is essentially corn cream soup.

The soup has a different flavor and texture from that of the typical North American sweet corn and its kernels are almost white in color and larger, the raw corn grinds before adding it to thicken the broth.

Bacon pieces, lima beans, cubed potatoes, cumin, garlic, ají, and cream are added to add more flavor to the soup.

The soup is served over slices of salty cheese and topped with a poached egg.

Chairo Soup

It is a soup made of vegetables and beef. It is made of chuño, onions, carrots, potatoes, peas, white corn, beef, and wheat kernels. It also contains herbs such as coriander and spices.

it is topped with chopped mint for a refreshing traditional flavor punch.

Empanadas

Empanadas are yummy pastries that are stuffed with salty cheese, deep-fried, and then dusted with powdered sugar.

The salty cheese is a delicious contrast to the powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Oven-baked chicken and beef empanadas are common breakfasts for Bolivians to buy on their way to work serving as a fast yet filling breakfast.

Salteñas

A popular snack found all over the Andean half of Bolivia, salteñas are baked and usually filled with meat, vegetables, egg, olives, and a slightly spicy sauce. It is a very popular and inexpensive mid-morning snack that you can find and enjoy in any street or square in the country.

Salchipapa

A popular fast-food made of french fries that served with tasty, pan-fried pieces of sausage. Sold by many street-food vendors, this comfort food is usually accompanied by different sauces and occasionally served with a fried egg or cheese.

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are also a popular snack throughout Bolivia. They come in both sweet or savory flavors and are often stuffed with cheese. While Buñelos can be eaten at any time, Bolivian tradition sees them eaten on Christmas morning with syrup and hot chocolates.

Chicharrón

Chicharrón is a popular Spanish and Latin American dish consisting of pork skins that are fried in oil until they form a crunchy texture.

Pieces of meat are cooked along with bacon and pigskin fried in their own fat and chicha (an alcoholic beverage made with fermented cornmeal). It is sided with by mote (boiled corn), potatoes, and llajwa.

It is believed that the dish originated in Andalusia and gained popularity in the rest of the world afterward. Today, there are numerous variations of chicharrón.

Cuñapes

Cuñapes are little cheesy round bread rolls made from yucca flour and salty cheese. They are soft and puffy on the outside, and gooey cheesy on the inside.

Llajwa

Llajwa is an important condiment in Bolivian dining whether you’re eating a home-cooked meal, street food, or dining in a restaurant.

This spicy sauce is made fresh daily in kitchens, it has three main components: tomato, locoto (spicy pepper), and quirquiña (herbs).

Jak'a lawa

This dish is consists of ground corn, which is cooked with potatoes and pork skin. The result is a thick and consistent broth with a lot of flavors.

Anticuchos

The anticucho is one of the typical dishes in Bolivia, this dish is consisting of small pieces of skewered and grilled meat, seasoned with a mixture of oil, yellow chili, garlic, and cumin, and grilled over a charcoal fire.

It is best served with potatoes and a spicy peanut and chili sauce.

Silpancho

The dish consists of a layer of white rice topped with boiled or steamed potatoes, beef or chicken cutlets, and fried eggs.

It is usually garnished with chopped parsley, onions, and beets. Silpancho is a traditional Bolivian dish characterized by its huge size and ingredients that are rich in fat and carbohydrates.

Humintas

Humintas or Bolivian Tamales are sweet. They are usually served for breakfast or a snack and are made by mixing grated sweetcorn with cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and sometimes cheese. All this stuffing is wrapped in corn leaves (tamales) to be steamed or grilled.

It is best served beside a coffee.

Chola Sandwich

Sanduíche de Chola is a Bolivian sandwich filled with roasted pork, salsa, hot sauce, and pickled vegetables such as carrots and onions.

These sandwichs are generally consumed in the afternoon, washed down with a couple of cold beers.

Mondongo

This is a meal based on pork and skin minced into small pieces. This colorful dish has a lot of red chili pepper in a delicious sauce, boiled potato, corn, and yellow chili and is served hot as a main dish.

Arroz con Queso

Arroz con queso, translated as ‘cheesy rice,’ is a side dish, it is made of steam rice, and then after it’s done cooking, add in a lot of milk and shredded or cubed cheese and stir, it is best served beside steaks, chorizos, and kebabs.

Papas Rellenas

Papas Rellenas is a dish of Peruvian origin, but it has been adopted and adapted throughout the Bolivian Andes. Literally meaning “stuffed potatoes”, papas rellenas are balls of mashed potato which are stuffed with a boiled egg or cheese, coated with a flour batter, and deep-fried.

Chanfaina

The main ingredient in this dish is lamb giblets (liver, heart, and lungs) cut into small pieces and turned into a thick stew. The dish is served with rice, potatoes, and oca (a sort of sweet potato).

Picante de Pollo

Picante de pollo is a spicy Bolivian dish made with pieces of chicken cooked in a combination of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, aji Amarillo chilis, peas, and chicken stock. The thick sauce is typically flavored with cumin, garlic, and oregano. It is recommended to serve picante de pollo with rice or boiled potatoes on the side and to garnish it with fresh chopped parsley.

Chanka de Pollo

This dish is prepared with chicken, rabbit (sometimes) beans, green onions, and potatoes, it is served with broth in which a variety of vegetables and meat are cooked.

The dish is garnished with onion and llajwa (spicy sauce).

Desserts

Helado de Canela

Helado de Canela is cinnamon ice cream Most commonly it is a water-based dessert served as a snow cone, but some restaurants and ice cream shops make a milk version as well.

Budín de Quinoa

Budín de Quinoa is first cooked with sugar and cinnamon. Once cooled, eggs and raisins are beaten into the quinoa until creamy.

This mixture is baked in the oven to set. Eat this pudding cold with a cup of coffee.

Drinks

Api

The api is a drink typical of the coldest areas of the country and is served very hot. It is made from ground purple or yellow corn with cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. It is accompanied by a fried patty made of wheat flour, filled with cheese, and sprinkled with plenty of powdered sugar.

Singani Sour

Singani Sour is prepared with lemon juice and, of course, Singani (a typical Bolivian type of alcohol). Depending on where you get it, you can find multiple variations of this cocktail with different ingredients (like ginger ale or orange peel).

Famous Food In Bolivia

Here Are the national and famous dishes you should try in Bolivia.

Enjoy Reading!

Sopa De Mani (Peanut soup)

Sopa de maní (peanut soup) is a traditional soup in Bolivia.

It is very unique, the main ingredient is the peanut, which is actually native to Bolivia.

This soup is textured, creamy made from finely ground raw peanuts, beef broth, diced tomato, diced onion, peas, cumin, and oregano.

It is served over a cut of calf or beef ribs with cubed boiled potatoes and topped with little crispy fries. it is accompanied by Llaju (a red Bolivian sauce that you can use to add spiciness to the dish).

It is always served on birthdays or special holidays.

Crema de Choclo

Crema de choclo also called lagwa de choclo is essentially corn cream soup.

The soup has a different flavor and texture from that of the typical North American sweet corn and its kernels are almost white in color and larger, the raw corn grinds before adding it to thicken the broth.

Bacon pieces, lima beans, cubed potatoes, cumin, garlic, ají, and cream are added to add more flavor to the soup.

The soup is served over slices of salty cheese and topped with a poached egg.

Chairo Soup

It is a soup made of vegetables and beef. It is made of chuño, onions, carrots, potatoes, peas, white corn, beef, and wheat kernels. It also contains herbs such as coriander and spices.

it is topped with chopped mint for a refreshing traditional flavor punch.

Empanadas

Empanadas are yummy pastries that are stuffed with salty cheese, deep-fried, and then dusted with powdered sugar.

The salty cheese is a delicious contrast to the powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Oven-baked chicken and beef empanadas are common breakfasts for Bolivians to buy on their way to work serving as a fast yet filling breakfast.

Salteñas

A popular snack found all over the Andean half of Bolivia, salteñas are baked and usually filled with meat, vegetables, egg, olives, and a slightly spicy sauce. It is a very popular and inexpensive mid-morning snack that you can find and enjoy in any street or square in the country.

Salchipapa

A popular fast-food made of french fries that served with tasty, pan-fried pieces of sausage. Sold by many street-food vendors, this comfort food is usually accompanied by different sauces and occasionally served with a fried egg or cheese.

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are also a popular snack throughout Bolivia. They come in both sweet or savory flavors and are often stuffed with cheese. While Buñelos can be eaten at any time, Bolivian tradition sees them eaten on Christmas morning with syrup and hot chocolates.

Chicharrón

Chicharrón is a popular Spanish and Latin American dish consisting of pork skins that are fried in oil until they form a crunchy texture.

Pieces of meat are cooked along with bacon and pigskin fried in their own fat and chicha (an alcoholic beverage made with fermented cornmeal). It is sided with by mote (boiled corn), potatoes, and llajwa.

It is believed that the dish originated in Andalusia and gained popularity in the rest of the world afterward. Today, there are numerous variations of chicharrón.

Cuñapes

Cuñapes are little cheesy round bread rolls made from yucca flour and salty cheese. They are soft and puffy on the outside, and gooey cheesy on the inside.

Llajwa

Llajwa is an important condiment in Bolivian dining whether you’re eating a home-cooked meal, street food, or dining in a restaurant.

This spicy sauce is made fresh daily in kitchens, it has three main components: tomato, locoto (spicy pepper), and quirquiña (herbs).

Jak'a lawa

This dish is consists of ground corn, which is cooked with potatoes and pork skin. The result is a thick and consistent broth with a lot of flavors.

Anticuchos

The anticucho is one of the typical dishes in Bolivia, this dish is consisting of small pieces of skewered and grilled meat, seasoned with a mixture of oil, yellow chili, garlic, and cumin, and grilled over a charcoal fire.

It is best served with potatoes and a spicy peanut and chili sauce.

Silpancho

The dish consists of a layer of white rice topped with boiled or steamed potatoes, beef or chicken cutlets, and fried eggs.

It is usually garnished with chopped parsley, onions, and beets. Silpancho is a traditional Bolivian dish characterized by its huge size and ingredients that are rich in fat and carbohydrates.

Humintas

Humintas or Bolivian Tamales are sweet. They are usually served for breakfast or a snack and are made by mixing grated sweetcorn with cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and sometimes cheese. All this stuffing is wrapped in corn leaves (tamales) to be steamed or grilled.

It is best served beside a coffee.

Chola Sandwich

Sanduíche de Chola is a Bolivian sandwich filled with roasted pork, salsa, hot sauce, and pickled vegetables such as carrots and onions.

These sandwichs are generally consumed in the afternoon, washed down with a couple of cold beers.

Mondongo

This is a meal based on pork and skin minced into small pieces. This colorful dish has a lot of red chili pepper in a delicious sauce, boiled potato, corn, and yellow chili and is served hot as a main dish.

Arroz con Queso

Arroz con queso, translated as ‘cheesy rice,’ is a side dish, it is made of steam rice, and then after it’s done cooking, add in a lot of milk and shredded or cubed cheese and stir, it is best served beside steaks, chorizos, and kebabs.

Papas Rellenas

Papas Rellenas is a dish of Peruvian origin, but it has been adopted and adapted throughout the Bolivian Andes. Literally meaning “stuffed potatoes”, papas rellenas are balls of mashed potato which are stuffed with a boiled egg or cheese, coated with a flour batter, and deep-fried.

Chanfaina

The main ingredient in this dish is lamb giblets (liver, heart, and lungs) cut into small pieces and turned into a thick stew. The dish is served with rice, potatoes, and oca (a sort of sweet potato).

Picante de Pollo

Chanka de Pollo

This dish is prepared with chicken, rabbit (sometimes) beans, green onions, and potatoes, it is served with broth in which a variety of vegetables and meat are cooked.

The dish is garnished with onion and llajwa (spicy sauce).

Desserts

Helado de Canela

Helado de Canela is cinnamon ice cream Most commonly it is a water-based dessert served as a snow cone, but some restaurants and ice cream shops make a milk version as well.

Budín de Quinoa

Budín de Quinoa is first cooked with sugar and cinnamon. Once cooled, eggs and raisins are beaten into the quinoa until creamy.

This mixture is baked in the oven to set. Eat this pudding cold with a cup of coffee.

Drinks

Api

The api is a drink typical of the coldest areas of the country and is served very hot. It is made from ground purple or yellow corn with cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. It is accompanied by a fried patty made of wheat flour, filled with cheese, and sprinkled with plenty of powdered sugar.

Singani Sour

Singani Sour is prepared with lemon juice and, of course, Singani (a typical Bolivian type of alcohol). Depending on where you get it, you can find multiple variations of this cocktail with different ingredients (like ginger ale or orange peel).

Read More

Quick Brief About Bolivia

Facts About Bolivia

Famous Food you should try in Bolivia

Famous Places to visit in Bolivia

Customs, Traditions & Etiquette in Bolivia

أشهر الأكلات في بوليفيا