Here are some of the best examples of Panamanian cuisine to enjoy, Sancocho de Gallina. Since Panama was part of Gran Colombia, there are similarities between food from Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. So what are the most popular foods in Panama? Check out our list of the 25 most popular Panamanian dishes and a description of each dish. Almost every culture has some type of fried dough recipe.
The Panamanian version is called puff pastry and is a dough made from eggs and flour, which is usually left to rest overnight and fried fresh in the morning. A typical breakfast with sausages (sausages) or eggs and local cheese. Tamales are typical in several Latin American countries. The Panamanian version is a corn-based dough filled with a delicious mix of chicken, vegetables and raisins and cooked in plantain leaves.
With 2,857 km of coastline, Panama is a paradise for seafood lovers. This dish, another jewel of the Caribbean coast, must be prepared 24 hours in advance, since it is necessary to desalinate the fish (soak it in cold water that is changed frequently). As the main ingredient is only raw fish and seafood, you'll find a wide variety of ceviche in Panama. Sea bass, octopus and shrimp are the most commonly used ingredients in Panamanian ceviche.
When it comes to destinations around the world revered for their culinary delicacy, Panama is probably not the first country that comes to mind. But don't let this little-known foodie spot fool you. Panamanians have long appreciated the country's abundance of delicious snacks and drinks, and now travelers are taking notice, too. Whether you're exploring bustling Panama City or heading straight to a tropical beach retreat, here are the 14 best foods in Panama that you don't want to miss out.
Travel around Panama and you'll quickly discover that fried food reigns throughout the region. Indulge in the tasty culinary tradition and expect to burn those extra calories later on with every Panama sightseeing tour you take. Of the many delicious and fried options, carimañola is perhaps one of the most popular. The small handmade cassava balls are filled with ground beef or cheese before being taken to the fryer so that they are golden and crispy to perfection.
Grab a few for breakfast or to pick up at noon as you explore the best that gay Panama City has to offer. Just be sure to order more than one, there's a reason why carimañolas are one of the most popular foods in Panama. Sancocho is best enjoyed after a night of excesses; locals claim that healing soup is the best cure for a hangover. Of all the iconic Panamanian foods you can try, Ropa Vieja may be the most well-known.
Shredded meat is simmered with tomato, garlic, onion, cumin and oregano and is usually served with fried and mashed white rice and bananas. Legend has it that old clothing (which translates as old clothes) originated in Spain a long time ago, when a poor man ran out of food and, therefore, was forced to make a stew with old, shredded garments. You'll find old clothes all over Central and Latin America (it's Cuba's national dish), but the local version is still a tasty staple food and a must-have in Panama. If your travels take you to Panama during the Christmas season, don't miss the opportunity to try tamal de olla, a tasty Panamanian food with European ingredients such as raisins, olives and capers, which bear witness to the country's Spanish colonial past.
Unlike traditional tamales wrapped in banana leaves, pot tamale is a casserole dish that is cooked in the oven. The best pot tamale is prepared at home during the holidays, though some local restaurants in Panama City have a delicious version on their menu year-round; El Trapiche and Tinajas are two fan favorites. When it comes to typical Panamanian food, there's nothing more classic than chicken rice. Easily recognizable by its yellow color and shredded chicken, you'll find this simple but delicious rice dish on almost every local menu in Panama.
This is another traditional Panamanian food that is present throughout Latin America. However, there's no denying that “Panama's Crossroads of the World” offers excellent local variety. Patacones, a common accompaniment to many local Panamanian dishes, are hard green bananas that are fried, mashed and then fried once more. They're usually warm, salty, and slightly chewy, and are particularly delicious when paired with local meat, cheese, and sauces.
For an exclusive version of this delicious staple food, Peach Fuzz International offers patacones with garlic octopus, a combination of flavors as exquisite as it seems. Seco Herrerano, Panama's national liquor, is an 80-degree liquor derived from sugar cane. La Concordia — Boutique Hotel is located in Panama City and has a terrace and bar. The property has a 24-hour reception and a restaurant.
La Isabela Suites is an aparthotel located in the heart of the historic Old Town, 200 meters from the Presidential Palace and the waterfront and 300 meters from the Panama Canal Museum. The dish that made me fall in love with Panamanian food was veal stew with a side of puff pastry (fried bread) and 1 or 2 fried eggs. Honestly, I could never figure out what the official name of the dish was. I think it's simply called beef stew (veal stew).
Minced steak is another popular and delicious dish in Panama. It reminds me of a Chinese stir fry. Minced Steak is made from strips of veal marinated in garlic, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce and then sautéed with vegetables such as red peppers, green peppers, carrots and onions. There are many popular Panamanian restaurants in Panama City where you'll find excellent versions of this classic Panamanian dish, such as Sabroso Panamá or El Trapiche. You'll find a good amount of African and Caribbean influences in Panamanian dishes such as rice with shrimp and coconut.
If you're in the mood for a sweet and fun drink, punch rum (also known as Panamanian eggnog) is what you need. Fish or seafood is marinated in limón (lemon in Spanish), onion, cilantro (Panamanian cilantro) and habanero for at least 2 hours before serving. A road and green space that extends 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) into the Pacific Ocean, connects the continent with Naos, Perico and Flamenco and offers spectacular views of the Panamanian sunset. Panamanian food is known for its spectrum of flavors, as wide and diverse as the country itself.
Although this is an emblematic dish in Peruvian cuisine, Panamanians prepare it with their own distinctive touch. Panamanian cuisine is a mix of Spanish, indigenous and African techniques, dishes and ingredients, reflecting the diversity of its population. Panamanian cuisine consists of many traditional dishes that are at the center of most of its festivities. Made with spices and a variety of vegetables such as cassava, yams, carrots and corn, chicken is cooked at very high temperatures in a traditional Panamanian food preparation method called a stove.
While sipping a drink made from corn and milk may not sound like a thirst-quencher, there's nothing like a cup of iced chichemé in a hot Panamanian day. On the Caribbean side, Panamanians eat more seafood and season a lot of things with coconut, while tubers, pork and poultry predominate in the mountainous interior. Today we'll tell you a little about the local cuisine and the delicious Panamanian foods you should try to fully immerse yourself in the country's culture. Once you try the delicious Panamanian foods on this list, you'll definitely want to come back.
