Colombia Please

Colombia is a country that is famous for its food culture. From delicious seafood to hearty meat dishes, Colombian cuisine is packed with flavors and spices. However, the country’s street food is equally popular and loved by both locals and tourists. Street food in Colombia is an experience in itself, and it is essential to taste flavors from different regions to get a true taste of the country’s culinary heritage. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best street foods in Colombia based on region. Let’s get started!

Popular Colombian Street Foods

Medellin street food - 2023 — Medellin street food – 2023 – Photo courtesy of Rizvi Rahman via Lucid Explore.

Bogotá – Empanadas & Arepas

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, has some of the most delicious offerings in the country. One of the most popular street foods is the ’empanada,’ which is a small pastry filled with either meat or cheese. Empanadas cost about 15 cents (USD) and are well worth it! Another popular street food in Bogotá is the ‘arepa.’ An arepa is a grilled cornmeal cake filled with cheese, butter and/or meat. A typical arepa costs around 40 cents (USD).

Stuffed Arepa — Arepa’s are often stuffed with meat and vegetables like a sandwich but are also served independently with butter and cheese or eggs. Photo courtesy of Frederick Medina.

Medellín – Arepa Paisa & Chorizo Antioqueno

Medellín is famous for its street food scene, which is centered around the ‘arepa paisa.’ These are slightly different from the Bogotá version and are usually stuffed with beans, cheese and/or pork. A typical arepa paisa costs 50 cents (USD). Another popular street food in Medellín is ‘chorizo antioqueño.’ These are grilled sausages made with pork and beef and cost maybe 55 cents (USD).

Chorizo antioqueno on top of a choclo arepa in Mesa de Los Santos, Colombia. Image by Erik Magnus.

Cartagena – Ceviche & Patacones

Cartagena is a coastal city in Colombia and has a variety of seafood-based street foods. One of the most popular dishes is ‘ceviche,’ which is a marinated seafood dish made with raw fish, lime juice and chili peppers. A typical serving of ceviche costs around $1.25 (USD). Another popular street food in Cartagena is ‘patacones,’ which are fried plantain slices topped with meat, cheese and sauce. A serving of patacones costs about 55 cents (USD).

Patacones with cheese, a common breakfast in Colombia. Image courtesy of Jdvillalobos via WikiMedia Commons. Barranquilla – Colombia.

Cali – Cholado & Empanadas Vallunas

Cali is a city located in the southwestern part of Colombia and is known for its spicy and flavorful cuisine. One of the most popular street foods in Cali is the ‘cholado,’ which is a frozen dessert made with shaved ice, fruits, condensed milk and syrup. A serving of cholado costs around 40 cents (USD). Another popular street food in Cali is ’empanadas vallunas,’ which are similar to the ones in Bogotá but are filled with mashed potatoes, meat and vegetables. Most empanada vallunas costs about 33 cents (USD).

Cholado, shaved ice and fruit - Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. — Cholado, shaved ice and fruit – Jamundí, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

Barranquilla – Carimanola & Bollo de Mazorca

Barranquilla is a city located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and is known for its lively music and dance culture. One of the most popular street foods in Barranquilla is the ‘carimañola,’ which is a fried pastry made with mashed cassava and filled with meat and/or cheese. Carimañola costs around 27 cents (USD). Another popular street food in Barranquilla is the ‘bollo de mazorca,’ which is a steamed corn cake filled with meat and/or cheese. A typical bollo de mazorca costs 40 cents (USD).

Carimanola - a yuka fritter stuffed with meat and cheese. — Carimanola – a yuka fritter stuffed with meat and cheese.

Manizales – Bunuelo & Arequipe

Manizales is a city located in the central part of Colombia (my favorite region!) and is known for its coffee plantations and beautiful mountain scenery. One of the most popular street foods in Manizales is the ‘buñuelo,’ which is a fried dough ball made with cheese and cornmeal. Buñuelos costs around 16 cents (USD). Another popular street food in Manizales is ‘arequipe,’ which is a caramel-like sauce made with milk and sugar. Arequipe is often sold on the streets in small jars and costs around 22 cents (USD).

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In conclusion, Colombia is a country with a rich street food culture, and each region has its own unique dishes to offer. From empanadas and arepas to ceviche and cholado, the food in Colombia is not only delicious but also affordable. So, if you’re ever in the country, make sure to check out the culinary diversity and try some street food.

Interested in making some Colombian street food? Check out our Ebook titled “The Colombian Street Food Cookbook” below. We handcrafted 15 authentic Colombian Street Food Recipes and put them in an Ebook.