This traditional Colombian soup is typically served for breakfast. It consists of boiled water and milk, green onions, coriander, parsley, and an egg that is cracked into the liquid as it cooks. This soup is usually served with arepas or stale bread on the side, because in the past, it was used as a way to make stale bread edible.
Changua is especially beloved in the colder, mountainous parts of Colombia as it is traditionally consumed for breakfast to help the inhabitants warm up and start the day off with a hearty and nourishing meal. Nowadays, it is a popular dish throughout the country, especially on holidays and weekends, after a rough night out, because changua is said to be a great hangover cure.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Cayeye is a Colombian dish originating from the Caribbean (coastal) parts of the country. Also known as mote de guineo, it is prepared by cooking guineos (small green bananas), which are then mashed and combined with refrito – a concoction made with tomatoes, achiote, garlic, onions, and red bell peppers.
Once prepared, cayeye is traditionally served for breakfast with a variety of ingredients: from beef, fish, and seafood to grated cheese, fried eggs, and avocados.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
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 can be bought from numerous street vendors who are selling it freshly prepared from corn leaves in which the buns were wrapped before cooking, although it can also be easily found in various supermarkets.
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 own, served as a side dish, or stuffed with variable fillings such as cheese, meat, or eggs - you can eat it with whatever choice of filling you want.
The versatility of the arepa paisa is only matched by the love the locals have for it - a typical breakfast in this region is centered on it (topped with butter, salt, and slices of cheese), and sometimes the dish is part of all meals of the day! And because you can find arepa paisa at every supermarket, street vendor or restaurant, there's always a perfect one available at all times.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Carimañolas are Colombian snacks made with mashed cassava that is filled with chicken, beef, or cheese before being deep-fried. These fritters are traditionally torpedo-shaped and can be served for breakfast or as an appetizer before a bigger meal.
The meat filling is usually flavored with onions, bell peppers, garlic, cumin, and tomato paste. It is recommended to serve carimañolas warm with ají sauce on the side.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “5 Worst Rated Colombian Breakfasts” list until February 15, 2025, 1,339 ratings were recorded, of which 719 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.