Pastel mandi’o is a doughy snack made with cornflour, boiled cassava, fat, and eggs. It is stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, boiled eggs, and seasonings. These snacks are fried in oil or fat and served hot. The dough is sweet, and the filling is replete with flavors, giving the dish a distinctive taste. Mandi’o means cassava in the Guarani language, and it is this ingredient which gives a unique Guarani twist to the dish.

These snacks resemble empanadas, mainly differing from the latter in the use of cornflour and cassava, which are typical for Paraguay. They encompass the authentic taste of Paraguayan cuisine and are a popular street food served in local bars, particularly during the festival of San Juan.