10 Most Popular Foods in Costa Rica

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As a country, Costa Rica is blessed with mesmerizing scenic views, amazing beaches, natural spots, and many biodiversities. It is heaven for travelers who travel to explore nature and beautiful landscapes. However, along with the things mentioned above, Costa Rica also has some delicious foods of Latin American culture that both locals and visitors love.

In the following paragraphs, we have listed the 10 most popular foods in Costa Rica; these are a few of the best ones in the country.

1. Gallo Pinto

Gallo pinto directly translates to painted rooster, which is a combo of rice and delicious beans. It is also known as the national dish of Costa Rica. It is normally eaten for breakfast. The key ingredients in the recipe are yellow onion, red pepper, black beans, garlic, Salsa Lizano, cooked rice, and cilantro.

Recipe for Gallo pinto

2. Cajeta de Coco

Cajeta de coco is prepared with condensed milk, butter, wafer crumbs, grated coconuts, and sugar, the key ingredients. These ingredients are cooked together and then transformed into small balls which are rolled in crumbs or coconuts.

Recipe for cajeta de coco

3. Casado

Casado has a strange name. The name translates to a married man. A plate of Casado contains different varieties of foods. It consists of rice, beans, salad, protein such as chicken, fish, beef, pork, and fried sweet plantains. Some locals also add French fries, grilled veggies, and cheese.

Recipe for Casado

4. Olla de Carbe

The traditional Costa Rican beef stew, called olla de carbe, is a hearty food. It is the weekend dish of many locals. It has a similar method of preparation as the hearty meat stew found in most countries.

Recipe for olla de carbe

5. Rosquillas

Rosquillas is a special type of Costa Rican donuts. These are deep-fried before serving. Rosquillas have a fluffy texture and a hole like normal donuts. These donuts are prepared during holy occasions and festivals throughout the year. The key ingredients in the recipe are lemon zest, baking powder, flour, sugar, eggs, oil, anisette, and milk.

Recipe for rosquillas

6. Chifrijo

Chifrijo is normally served in bars around the country. It is a bowl consist of beans and rice, while the topping may differ based on what you want. However, the common toppings are fried pork skin, fried pork meat, avocado, chimichurri, lime, and pico de gallo.

Recipe for chifrijo

7. Chilera

Chilera is a delicious type of condiment. It is made with ingredients like carrots, onions, green beans, chili peppers, and cauliflower. It is often used as a dressing for different types of vegetables.

Recipe for chilera

8. Sopa Negra

Sopa Negra is a mouthwatering soup prepared with vegetables. It is a great dish for all vegetarians to try. It is prepared with black beans, water or chicken broth, onion, cloves of garlic, red pepper, cilantro, salt, black pepper, and sour cream.

Recipe for sopa negra

9. Patacones

Patacones are made with green plantains. The ingredient is first peeled and then sliced for further use. Once cooked, the dish is often topped with salt and lime. Patacones are served with pica de Gallo, refried beans, avocadoes, or shredded cabbage.

Recipe for patacones

10. Ceviche

Ceviche is a delicious marinated raw fish. This dish is served chilled. Costa Rica uses different ingredients like lime juice, cilantro, tilapia, and diced vegetables. Ceviche is widely available in restaurants and food stalls throughout the country. Try it to get an exquisite taste.

Recipe for ceviche

Sources:

International Expeditions Travel

Taste Atlas

The Culture Trip