13 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in San Juan

Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish made from fried unripe plantains which are then pulverized or mashed. The starchy dish can be further enriched by the addition of ingredients such as lobster, prawns, garlic, chicken, or bacon. Although mofongo is Puerto Rican, it has African origins, as it was originally brought to Puerto Rico by slaves from Western and Central Africa. Today, it is also popular in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, where it's called mangu, and the plantains are not fried but boiled. Mofongo is usually consumed as a main dish, served with broth and fried meat, due to its starchiness that is ideal for absorbing all of the flavorful juices.Expand

Alcapurria is a Puerto Rican snack made with grated green bananas or taro root (or a combination of both) that are stuffed with meat, then fried. The stuffing is usually picadillo – spiced ground beef with tomatoes. If made with grated yucca, the fritter is typically stuffed with crab meat. These tasty fritters can be found at numerous Puerto Rican beach kiosks and street corners.Expand

Arroz y habichuelas is a simple and traditional Puerto Rican dish. It consists of rice and beans flavored with bacon or ham, sofrito, tomato purée, spices, and (optionally) olives. In Puerto Rico, it is typically served as a side dish, but it can also be served on its own. Throughout Central and South America, there are numerous variations and twists on this simple side dish, beloved for its protein content which comes from the beans.Expand

Pernil is one of Puerto Rico's most famous dishes, a succulent roasted pork shoulder that is traditionally seasoned in a marinade called adobo mojado, consisting of paprika, salt, vinegar, garlic, and oregano. The name of the dish is derived from the Spanish word pierna, meaning leg, but it is also a Catalan word for ham, referring to the traditional recipe that calls for fresh ham. Because pork shoulder is more available and costs less than ham, it has become a key ingredient in pernil. Many people prefer it since it is believed to be much more flavorful than ham. The dish is a staple at numerous Puerto Rican festivities such as birthdays or weddings, where many people feast on the crunchy skin and tender meat that falls off the bone.Expand

Tostones is a traditional side dish that's popular throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, especially in Puerto Rico. Unlike platanos fritos, where only ripe plantains are used, tostones are made with unripe, hard, very green plantains. They are sliced into pieces, fried on each side, then smashed or flattened and deep-fried one more time until they become golden. Once prepared, the tostones are sprinkled with sea salt and served as a side dish to various dishes. They are often served with garlic mojo sauce (mojo de ajo), either on top of the tostones, or on the side as a dip.Expand

Bistec encebollado is a flavorful dish popular throughout Latin America, consisting of an adobo-spiced, marinated beefsteak combined with onion sauce and large onion rings on top. The wonderful flavors of bistec encebollado come from marinating the meat over a long period of time, usually anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. It is recommended to pair the dish with rice, pigeon peas, and fried plantains.Expand

Tripleta is a popular sandwich from Puerto Rico, its name derived from the fact that it is filled with three types of meat: grilled steak, lechon pork, and ham. The meat is placed in a loaf of fresh bread and topped with fries, ketchup, mayonnaise, cheese, and vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, and onions. The sandwich can be consumed as is or it can be grilled, depending on personal preferences. Tripleta is usually so large that one sandwich can easily feed two people.Expand

Quesito is a Puerto Rican pastry made with dough that is shaped into a cigar, then filled with sweetened cream cheese and various fruit preserves. After they have been glazed and baked, quesitos can be bought at bakeries throughout the island, and locals prefer to consume them for breakfast, paired with a cup of coffee on the side.Expand

Pan de Mallorca are flavorful Puerto Rican bread rolls characterized by their soft, buttery, and fluffy texture. The bread consists of flour, yeast, milk, water, egg yolks, and butter. It is believed that pan de Mallorca originates from ensaimadas, a sweet pastry from the Spanish island of Mallorca. It is recommended to serve these rolls sliced and buttered, then pair them with a hot cup of coffee, although they can also be consumed in a savory version with ham and cheese.Expand

This plantain-based casserole is a staple in Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. It consists of sliced or mashed plantains that are layered with minced meat. The meat used in the dish is usually the Puerto Rican version of picadillo—a hearty stew prepared with a combination of ground meat and tomato sauce, while the common additions often include shredded cheese or green beans. Pastelón can be enjoyed as the main course or a filling side dish. It also goes under the name piñon.Expand