Colombia: What to eat

It is not a secret that I'm always home sick. I've lived in the United States for 12 years and I still miss Colombia. I love both Countries, but I need to go home often. In the past years, I've trying to go less to Colombia and use my vacation days to travel to new places. However, I miss Colombian food, A LOT. I can get a few items in Tampa and there are several Colombian restaurants, but it is not the same.

Colombian food varies from region to region. In the Atlantic Coast, the typical dish is a fried red snapper with coconut rice and plantains. In Bogota is a soup called ajiaco. I always hated ajiaco, but everyone loves it. From Cali, my hometown, is a soup called Sancocho. In Medellin is a dish called bandeja paisa which is probably the largest meal that you will ever have.

Some of the food that you have to try if you ever go to Colombia include: 

Arepas: Corn flour based cakes. This is a breakfast staple in Colombia. It doesn't have a lot of flavor so don't eat it plain, add butter, salt, and cheese on top. 

Empanadas: Fried corn pastry filled with meat, potato, and vegetables. I like to add lime juice and some spicy sauce. Empanadas are popular all over South America. Each country has their own version. 

Tropical Fruit Juices: There are so many tropical fruits in Colombia that going to the market is always fun because of the variety. My favorite is Lulo a fruit that I can never find it in the United States. Lulo juice is amazing!!! If you go to Cali you need to try a lulada! I like luladas so much that I offered them in the cocktail hour of our wedding (with vodka). In Ecuador, the same fruit is called Naranjilla. Other fruits like maracuya (passion fruit), mandarina (tangerine), mora (blackberry), and mango are always good for juices. They can be made with water or milk. You always have to say "mora en leche" or "mora en agua" to get it the way that you want it. We also have the basic strawberry and orange but PLEASE try something different. 

Coffee: Make sure that you drink lots of coffee while you are in Colombia. We don't drink espresso. Have a tinto (black coffee) or a cafe con leche (coffee with milk). Good brands to bring back home are: Oma, Juan Valdez, Cafe Quindio. Look for the export quality coffees in the supermarket. The same brands sell cheaper ones that are for everyday coffee. They are all good, but if you are carrying it in your luggage get the BEST of the best. You can also buy coffee at the duty free.

Mango Biche:  This is my weakness. A mango biche is a mango that is not ripe yet. It is a little sour and if you add salt and lemon it makes it even better. There is a variety that is called manga which is not always available but I always ask. It is great to have it with aguardiente shots to take away the alcohol taste. Just like peanuts with a drink. I even had mango biche at our wedding. Mango biche is typical in Cali more than in other cities in Colombia.

Plantains: I'm a sweet plantain girl, but the green plantains are also delicious. This is very typical in Cali and the region close to Cali. We call them tostadas. You can eat them alone or put food on top or just some guacamole or sauce. They are thin, fried, crispy, and salty.

One big tostada and one happy husband

There are also several restaurants that you simply can't miss if you go to Colombia. Since I'm homesick I tend to go to the same places over and over. Nothing wrong with trying new places, but I never stay long enough to satisfy my cravings and also see all of the new/hip places. 

Crepes & Waffles: This is a chain restaurant that has great crepes (sweet and salty), waffles (I've never tried them), soups, salads, and huge ice creams for a great price. The fruit juices are very good here. I always order a chicken (pollo), mushroom (champinones), and cheese (queso) crepe and save room for a huge dessert. This has been my favorite restaurant since it openened many years ago. I was lucky to also visit this place in Quito last year. http://crepesywaffles.com/websiteftp/col/espa/

Juan Valdez: Best coffee shops in the world. They are in many Cities in Colombia and around the world. This is the Colombian version of starbucks! http://www.juanvaldez.com/

Juan Valdez, Parque del Cafe, Armenia

Juan Valdez fan! :)

Hamburguesas El Corral: These are the best hamburguers. I never eat a hamburguer except if it is from El Corral. There are everywhere in Colombia and at most malls food courts. http://www.elcorral.com/

Karens Pizza: This was my favorite pizza place growing up and it still is. The crust is thin, the mozzarella cheese is delicious. I always get the ham and cheese pizza very simple but I love it. The samba and petete combinations are also delicious! This is a chain from Cali, but they have 1 restaurant open in Bogota close to Parque de la 93. They deliver if you are staying close from there. 

http://www.karenspizza.net/

Everybody loves Karen's pizza

Ventolini: The best ice cream with brownie that I've ever had is here. This ice cream shop is originally from Cali, but many Cities in Colombia have a Ventolini.

El Arca: Calle 118 #5-03. This is what we call a fusion food restaurant. All dishes are made with a plantain base. I love all of the sweet plantain combinations. Located in Usaquen and if you go on the weekend there is always a long line. Order aborrajados as appetizers, they are made with sweet plantain and cheese. This restaurant is originally from Cali but they have one in Bogota in Usaquen. 

Since most people that go to Colombia, go to Bogota I included in this post some of the places that you can't miss if you ever visit this wonderful City. 

Andres Carne de Res This famous restaurant is located outside of Bogota in the town of Chia. It is a restaurant and also a night club. The decor is extravagant and fun. This place is very popular and it is  ALWAYS packed. Make a reservation or you could wait hours for a table at lunch or never get one a night since most people stay to dance. The transportation to/from Andres can be a challenge for those without a car. Getting there in a taxi is possible but getting out of there will definitely be a challenge. I would recommend that tourist stay in the City and visit Andres D.C. (details below). Phone number: 863-7880 http://www.andrescarnederes.com/

Andres Carne de Res, Chia

Andres D.C.  Calle 82 # 11 - 57 This one is from the same owner as the original Andres. Andres D.C. is located right next to la T and it is part of El retiro shopping mall. It has 5 floors divided into names: hell, purgatory, and heaven. When making a reservation ask for a table in heaven (rooftop) or hell (basement). The menu is huge and everything I've ordered is good. There are a lot of typical colombian dishes in the menu and they are know for their steaks. It is pricey, but it is worth visiting. Foreigner visitors get a special welcome. Make sure that you mention this to your server. A reservation is needed to eat or party here. Try to get there around 7:00 PM to have dinner, and keep the table for partying. The custom when partying is to have a table and order a bottle instead of buying drinks at the bar. Buy a bottle of aguardiente (local alcohol) and dance the night away. Order a Mandarino = vodka with frappe tangerine juice! BEST COCKTAIL EVER.  Reservations number: 863-7880.

Honores de la Casa - for foreigners

Aguardiente Shots!!!

Andres DC 

Outside Andres DC

Bogota Beer Company (BBC): I'm not a beer drinker, but I like to seat in the outdoor tables of the Usaquen, Parque de la 93, and Zona T locations. http://www.bogotabeercompany.com/

After writing this post, I am really homesick and craving every single thing from this list. There are MANY other delicious (and not so delicious) things to try in Colombia. If you ever watched the "No Reservations" episode in Colombia you know what I'm talking about. Anthony is too brave and I can't recommend everything that he had in Colombia. Most foreigners love Colombian food. It is not spicy and we love our carbs! Expect to see at least 2 or 3 in everything that you order.