6 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Cartagena

Arepa is a highly versatile cornbread made from ground corn dough or precooked corn flour. It is commonly consumed in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. In Venezuela, arepa is eaten at any time of the day, throughout the whole country, and across all socio-economic groups. The golden disks with a crispy, browned crust are commonly stuffed with a variety of ingredients, and the combinations are seemingly infinite, from beans, cheese, and avocado to shredded beef and onions. For a Venezuelan breakfast, arepas are traditionally paired with a cup of strong coffee and hot dipping chocolate. Since they are not filled with anything for breakfast, they are commonly referred to as the viuda (widow). The name arepa comes from the word erepa, which is the indigenous word for this corn bread, as its origins are believed to be from the indigenous tribes across Venezuela, such as Timoto-Cuicas, Arawak, Carib, and Karina. Today, arepas are usually served at traditional eateries called areperas.Expand

Both savory and sweet in flavor, arroz con coco is a flavorful Colombian side dish consisting of white rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and water. When mixed with raisins, arroz con coco becomes slightly sweeter, while the version without raisins is more savory and traditionally served with fish dishes. It is recommended to use coconut milk without stabilizers so that it can separate into fat and solids.Expand

Served after most parties and also an ideal Sunday meal, sancocho is a Colombian chicken stew that can also be made with beef or pork. Originally from the El Valle region, it used to be made exclusively with hens. It is a hearty stew with the addition of potatoes, corn, and plantains. Traditionally, white rice, spicy aji sauce, and avocado slices are served on the side. The thick broth is very satiating and could easily feed a whole family, and what's best is that it can be cooked in just one pot. Some like to top the dish with fresh coriander, onions, and a squeeze of lime juice in order to enhance the flavors even further. Found throughout Latin America, its name stems from the Spanish word sancochar, which translates to parboil. Although the ingredients are basic, they all merge together to develop delicious flavors and aromas, and the best part just may be the corn – which has been soaking up all the flavors in its kernels.Expand

Arepa de queso is a Colombian variety of arepas which have a dough that is combined with cheese such as queso fresco or queso seco. When served, these arepas are split in half, then spread with butter and filled with more cheese, according to personal preferences, although they can also be consumed plain. In Colombia, they are often paired with a cup of hot chocolate.Expand

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, but also make for a nice afternoon snack when paired with a cup of coffee on the side.Expand

Mote de queso is a traditional soup originating from the Atlantic Coast area of the country. It's made with a combination of yam, salty and crumbly Costeño cheese, onions, garlic, scallions, tomatoes, cumin, and lime juice. There are many variations on the soup and most families have their own recipe. Once cooked, the soup should have a creamy consistency, with small and tender yam chunks here and there. It's often served with fried plantains or tostones on the side.Expand