6 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in La Paz

Salteñas is the name of the national dish of Bolivia consisting of crescent-shaped, filled pockets of dough. The name is derived from the first known baker of these delicacies, who was born in the city of Salta, but he was later exiled to Potosí. Oven-baked and filled with meat (typically chicken or beef), salteñas are commonly served for breakfast or consumed as a mid-day snack. The sweet pastry and its braided crust have a unique color and flavor that is of key importance to authentic Bolivian salteñas, due to the crushed seeds of the adobo bush, along with added spices such as cumin and oregano, called achiote spice. Salteñas are somewhat difficult to prepare because special skills are required to make them, but practice makes perfect, and the sweet smell of freshly baked salteñas is always worth the effort.Expand

Sajta de pollo is a Bolivian dish consisting of chicken, onions, tomatoes, peas, and yellow chili peppers (most often, aji amarillo). It is typically flavored with parsley, celery, black pepper, garlic, and cumin. The dish is traditionally prepared for Carnival and the All Saints' Day. It is similar to picante de pollo, main difference being the type of chili peppers used, the level of spiciness, and the resulting flavor profile. Sajta de pollo is milder and creamier, while picante de pollo is spicier and richer. When served, the sauce-drenched sajta de pollo is usually accompanied by potatoes. The dish is often garnished with finely chopped onions and tomatoes.Expand

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 afternoon and paired with a cold beer on the side. The word chola in its name refers to cholitas, the indigenous women who typically sell it on the streets of La Paz.Expand

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 Bolivians who disregard the rules and put some meat such as grilled beef or pork on the plate. Locals also like to add the famous Bolivian hot sauce called llajua to plato paceño in order to add some spiciness to the meal.Expand

Chairo is a traditional thick soup with pre-Colombian origins. It is made with the unique Bolivian chuño starch, meat (usually beef and lamb), cooked wheat, and vegetables such as carrots, onions, and corn. The soup is often additionally flavored with cumin, black pepper, and garlic. When served, chairo is garnished with fresh chopped mint. It is recommended to serve the soup while it is still piping hot, preferably in clay bowls.Expand

Ají de lengua is a traditional stew with a spicy flavor. It is made with beef tongue, oil, onions, tomatoes, hot chili peppers, parsley, cumin, oregano, and (often) green peas. The tongue is boiled, cut into thin slices, and it is then cooked with the rest of the ingredients. This hearty stew is traditionally served with chuño potatoes and steamed rice on the side.Expand