Vaho or baho is one of the most popular Nicaraguan dishes and a great hangover cure. It is made by wrapping a combination of beef, yuca, and plantains in banana leaves, then steaming the concoction. The word vaho means steam or mist, referring to the method of preparation.

Tres leches cake is a dense, moist dessert consisting of a sponge cake covered with three types of milk: evaporated, condensed, and whole milk. Although its origins are quite murky, most sources claim it was invented in Nicaragua, but the cake is popular throughout Central America, the United States, and Europe, where it is a staple at numerous celebrations and festivities.

Indio viejo is a Nicaraguan dish made with vegetables such as garlic, onions, sweet peppers, and tomatoes. Water-drenched tortillas are first ground into a dough; then the beef is shredded and fried with vegetables, tortilla dough, and achiote paste.

Nacatamal is a type of traditional Nicaraguan tamale made with corn dough which is stuffed with chicken or pork, then wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed. This savory dish usually also contains ingredients such as bell peppers, garlic, potatoes, rice, bitter orange, onions, mint, and chile peppers.

Cachapa, chorreada, arepa de choclo, güirila, toquera, tortilla de choclo, and tortilla changa, are all names that describe a Latin American corn dish that can be categorized as either a pancake, tortilla, or flatbread, depending on the country.

Gallo pinto, sometimes referred to only as pinto, is the traditional national dish of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Although many variations of the dish exist, at its most basic it is a blend of cooked and fried rice and beans, combined with herbs and vegetables such as cilantro, peppers, celery, and onions.

A regional specialty of León, arroz con pescado is a savory dish that consists of rice, shredded fish, and tomatoes. The combination is typically further enhanced with the addition of spearmint and bitter oranges. Common snook (known as róbalo in Nicaragua) or snapper are among the most common choices of fish used for this Nicaraguan delicacy, although other varieties of marine or freshwater fish may also be used.

Vigorón is a popular Nicaraguan dish that is often served to unexpected guests and visitors, since it is quickly and easily prepared. It consists of boiled yucca, chopped cabbage, onions, tomatoes, chile peppers, and fried pork rinds known as chicharrones.

Berenjenas rellenas or stuffed eggplants is a traditional savory specialty originating from Spain. There are many versions of this dish regarding its preparation and the ingredients used for the filling. The eggplants are typically cut along the middle and baked until tender before they have their pulp removed, although they’re occasionally left raw and cooked with the filling.