South American Street Food

Anticucho is a meat dish consisting of small pieces of skewered and grilled meat, the most popular of them made with beef heart, called anticuchos de corazón. Incan in origin, the dish quickly gained popularity throughout South and... READ MORE

One of Brazil's favorite street foods, coxinha (lit. little thigh) is a crispy croquette filled with chicken meat and cream cheese that is cleverly shaped into a chicken drumstick, then breaded and deep-fried. Coxinha originated around São ... READ MORE

Choripán is the ultimate in Argentine street food, a sandwich consisting of a chorizo sausage and a variety of condiments in a crusty bun. It is usually consumed on the go, since it is mostly sold at street stands throughout Latin ... READ MORE

In Bahia, the northeastern state of Brazil, there is a dish that is considered to be the most popular street food around, called acarajé. It consists of black-eyed peas or cowpeas that are formed into a ball, deep-fried in dendé<... READ MORE

Empanadas argentinas, or Argentinian empanadas, make up a group of traditional Argentinian pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, from meat to cheese and vegetables. Although they are mostly enjoyed in their savory form, there are sweet de... READ MORE

X-Tudo is an unusually tall burger originating from Brazil. Although not much is known about its invention, this burger (which means with everything or cheese everything when translated) has no fixed ingredients, but it always ha... READ MORE

Known as bolinhos de bacalhau in northern Portugal and pastéis de bacalhau in the central and southern regions and Brazil, these crispy cod fritters are one of the most beloved Portuguese national dishes. They consist of dry salted... READ MORE

This is an extreme version of a steak sandwich – filled with thinly sliced lomo steak, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, mayonnaise, chimichurri sauce, ham, cheese, and a fried egg, sandwich de lomo or lomito is a behemoth of a sandwich th... READ MORE

Golden, tender, and warm papa rellenas are traditional Peruvian stuffed potatoes, a type of croquette consisting of fried mashed potatoes with a meat filling on the interior. The filling usually consists of chopped beef that is mixed with onions a... READ MORE

One of the most popular street food items in Chile is the delicious completo – which is the Chilean version of the famous American hot dog. Made with boiled wiener sausages served inside plain bread rolls, the whole dish is finished with gen... READ MORE

Cachorro quente is the Brazilian version of a hot dog consisting of a bread roll filled with sausage links, ground beef in a chunky tomato sauce with green peppers and onions, and melted cheese. The dish is traditionally served with a wide variety... READ MORE

Similar to Mexican tamales, pamonha is a traditional dish made with fresh corn. The dough, or more precisely the paste, is made out of grated and juiced corn. It is tightly wrapped in fresh corn husks and cooked in boiling water. Depending on the ... READ MORE

Perro caliente is a Colombian variety of the hot dog, characterized by its large size and unusual toppings. The sausage is steamed or boiled and usually topped with ingredients such as pineapple chunks, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, raspberries, b... READ MORE

Salchipapas is a very popular Peruvian street food staple that began as a poor man's dish. The name of the dish is derived from the names of its main ingredients – salchicha (sausage) and papas (potatoes). Sold by numerous ... READ MORE

Picada Colombiana is a traditional dish where a variety of grilled or fried meat and vegetables are served on a large platter. The dish is usually prepared on Sundays for family and friends or at various special occasions and celebrations, but it ... READ MORE

Typically associated with Ecuador and the Peruvian region of Piura, chifles are thinly sliced, fried green plantains. They can be sliced crosswise or lengthwise, and while homemade varieties are usually sold as a convenient and portable street foo... READ MORE

A simple bun called chipa is the most common food staple in Paraguay. The famous bread is made with cassava flour, lard, and anise. It originates from the Native American people Guarani, indigenous to the Amazon area of Brazil, Argentina, and Para... READ MORE

Pancho is an Uruguayan hot dog made with a sausage in a pan de Viena bun. The sausage often sticks out from the bun as it is usually longer than pan de Viena. Experts say that the pancho is all about the toppings, which vary depending on ... READ MORE

Arepa de huevo is a popular Colombian dish that is commonly sold at street stalls, especially in the Caribbean parts of Colombia. Corn arepas are filled with eggs, then fried until the eggs are fully cooked. They are often served for breakfast, bu... READ MORE

Arrumadinho is a complex Brazilian dish that is usually served as an appetizer. The dish is a combination of four elements that are neatly organized and served together as a complete meal. The essential parts are sliced, sun-dried beef, diced and ... READ MORE

Cuy frito or cuy chactado is one of the oldest traditional Peruvian dishes that has been consumed since Incan times. It is made with guinea pigs, which are obviously not kept as pets in Peru – instead, they are fried to crispy perfection. Th... READ MORE

Humitas is a dish popular throughout South America, especially in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The dish consists of corn cakes that are cooked in corn husks. In Argentina, humitas are usually made with corn, onions, and spices, an... READ MORE

Llapingachos are typical Ecuadorian potato patties that are often served with a spicy peanut sauce on the side. They consist of cheese and mashed potatoes. The combination of those ingredients is flattened and cooked on a griddle until it develops... READ MORE

Bollo is a traditional bun that can be made with corn, yuca, or potatoes. The bun is also very popular in Panama in Spain. Typically, it is served for breakfast, when it is accompanied by cheese on the side. All along the Colombian coast, bollo ca... READ MORE

Anticucho de corazon is a traditional dish originating from Peru, consisting of beef heart skewers. The dish is made with a combination of beef heart, oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, and aji panca hot pepper paste. The beef he... READ MORE

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 count... READ MORE

These empanadas are a specialty of the region of Tucumán, and they are quite different than numerous empanadas found in Buenos Aires. Tucumanas are typically handmade according to old, traditional recipes, and are characterized by a crispy ... READ MORE

Choclo con queso is a Peruvian meal that is often consumed as a snack, an appetizer, or a side dish. Peruvian choclo is a type of corn with large kernels, nutty flavor, and chewy texture. When paired with creamy and salty cheese and a dab of butte... READ MORE

Baked potato is a whole potato baked in the oven until the inside becomes soft and the skin turns crispy. The most commonly used potatoes for baking are russet potatoes, known for their high starch content, which results in a fluffy interior when ... READ MORE

Anticucho de pollo is a traditional dish originating from Peru. These skewers are usually sold as street food and they're made with a variety of ingredients – in this case, it's chicken. Other ingredients used in the preparation of anticucho... READ MORE

One of the most omnipresent local dishes in the Paisa region of Colombia is the traditional arepa paisa, made from soaked threshed corn that is shaped and grilled until golden brown. This crispy and luscious corn cake can be eaten on its ... READ MORE

Crispy on the outside and filled with tender melted cheese on the inside, cuñape is a tasty Bolivian snack consisting of yam flour, white cheese, and eggs. These snacks are especially popular in Santa Cruz and in the northeastern regions of... READ MORE

Anticucho de pescado is a traditional dish originating from Peru, consisting of fish on skewers. The dish is prepared by marinating firm white fish in a combination of garlic, paprika, salt, vinegar, lime juice, oil, cumin, and black pepper. The f... READ MORE

Plato paceño is a traditional dish consisting of a combination of lima beans, potatoes, corn, and fried cheese. In La Paz, it is typically consumed for lunch or dinner. Although the dish typically does not contain meat, there are many Boliv... READ MORE

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 f... READ MORE

Bondipan (or bondiola) is a classic sandwich originating from Argentine. Similar to the more famous choripan, this sandwich is made with bondiola de cerdo, pork shoulder that's roasted or grilled to perfection and served in crusty french bread. Th... READ MORE

Sanduíche de chola is a Bolivian sandwich filled with roasted pork, salsa, llajua sauce, and vegetables such as carrots and onions. The ingredients are usually tucked inside large sandwich buns. This sandwich is mostly eaten in the afternoo... READ MORE

Tortilla santiagueña is a type of flatbread consisting of wheat flour, melted cow fat, and coarse salt. The dough is typically baked on a parrilla until nicely brown. A classic Argentine treat, these tortillas are typical for the north of t... READ MORE

Hormiga culona are world famous fat-bottomed ants, an unusual delicacy from the department of Santander in Colombia. Originally harvested by the Guane Indians as a protein source, today it takes about five hours to gather the ants from th... READ MORE

Sonso de yuca is a traditional dish originating from Bolivia. The dish is usually made with a combination of cassava, mozzarella and gouda cheese, butter, milk, eggs, and salt. The cassava is peeled, cut into cubes, boiled, and puréed or ma... READ MORE

Anticucho de pulpo is a traditional dish originating from Peru. These skewers are usually sold on the streets and in this case they're threaded with octopus tentacles. Other ingredients for the preparation of anticuchos de pulpo include potatoes, ... READ MORE

Mazamorra chiquita is a traditional soup originating from the Boyacá department. Although the ingredients may vary, it's usually prepared with a combination of beef ribs, tripe, beans, onions, corn, garlic, pepper, cumin, and a few varietie... READ MORE