Colombian Street Food You Have to Try

Over the months we spent exploring Colombia, we uncovered street hawkers, bustling markets, and cozy hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pop operations serving simple, authentic Colombian dishes. The food was fresh and plentiful.

On the coast, whole fried fish or langoustine, plucked from the ocean and grilled, were set on heaping plates of rice, warm spiced frijoles, and crispy fried plantains. On city corners, Areapas were stuffed with meat, eggs, and gooey cheese. In the mountain towns, locals dropped by with fresh Colombian coffee and local bread to say hello.

Our journey here remains one of our favorite travel memories, and a lot of that has to do with the incredible food we found on the streets of Colombia.

Colombia’s street food is on par with the best in the world; for us, it is up there with the taco carts in Mexico and night markets throughout Southeast Asia. However, it doesn’t necessarily get the credit it deserves and is much less well-known. Certainly, we had no idea just how much delicious street food was in store for us when we set off to explore Colombia by van.

Our Credentials as Snack Experts

You might have noticed that we talk a lot about food on our blog. We share recipes we make, restaurants we’ve loved, and dishes we think you should try all over the world.

For us, food is one of the greatest travel experiences and experiences in general. We spend our days thinking about our next meal and what delicacies we might enjoy at our next destination. Often, cuisine can make or break a destination for us.

Now, with a resume of eating food around the world, that stretches back more than a decade, we feel pretty comfortable puttin’ our money where one’s mouth is and calling out some of the best street food in Colombia.

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Colombian Cuisine

Colombia was a place where we didn’t know what to expect going in, so we were delighted to unearth such a varied and delicious cuisine.

Its influences come from the indigenous civilizations that settled the region, the Spanish that colonized it, and the Caribbean culture that exists in the north of the country.

Each region has its own flavors and core dishes. Outside of big cities, the menus at local restaurants and street vendors don’t stray far beyond their regional specialties. Because of this focus, street food is reliably delicious. When in doubt, do as the locals do and head for the stall with the longest line of local people! We bet you’ll quickly discover that Colombia’s food is some of the best in South America, especially its street food.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a taste of a few of our favorite dishes from a country we love for its food as much as anything.

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The Best Colombian Street Food

Arepas

Arepas are synonymous with Colombia and a traditional Colombian food found throughout the country. Find these fat cornbreads being charred over coal stoves on streets throughout the country. Fillings range from beef to egg with some arepas split open and used as a sandwich bun.

Our favorite arepas are those found in Cali stuffed with oozing melted cheese. But be careful not to burn the top of your mouth.

Chicharrónes

Colombian chicharrónes are a little different from the pork skin or rinds you might be familiar with from other Latin American countires. The Chicharrónes Colombiano are large strips of pork belly with the meat, fat, and skin rendered and fried in their own fat, and they are every bit as good as they sound.

Morcilla

This Colombian blood sausage is stuffed with rice, pig blood, and various spices, often including onions, cilantro, and cumin. The mixture is stuffed into a casing (traditionally the pig’s intestine) and typically grilled.

Tamales

Tamales are a mixture of corn dough flavored with other ingredients like meats, beans, and cheese, wrapped in husks or leaves and steamed.

Tamales are found throughout Latin America and every region has its own spin on the tamale.

In Colombia, there is not just one but many varieties of this traditional Colombian food. The tamales Santafereños or Bogotanos use meat like chicken or pork plus carrots, peas, potatoes, and chickpeas. Ball-shaped tamales from the Tolima region feature chicken, pork, boiled egg, carrots, peas, potatoes, and rice. Tamales from the Antioquia region tend to contain marinated pork, potatoes, carrots, and peas.

Rich and filling, there is a reason why tamales have spread all over Latin America and now the world! You can find them throughout Colombia.

Empanadas

The ubiquitous empanada is a staple for locals and foreigners alike throughout South America. Empanadas are savory dough parcels filled with potatoes, meat, and other vegetables. The Colombian empanada is often fried and filled with shredded meat and potatoes. They can be found throughout Colombia, served hot with spicy salsa on the side.

Ceviche de Camarones

While ceviche is most commonly associated with Peru, Colombian shrimp ceviche is also very popular along the coast and can be found in many beach bars. Ceviche is fresh shrimp that is marinated in citrus juices, typically lime or lemon, and mixed with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and sometimes hot peppers. The acidity from the citrus “cooks” the shrimp, resulting in a tangy and flavorful appetizer often served chilled, accompanied by crackers or tostadas.

Salchipapa

Served throughout South America, The salchipapa is essentially fries loaded with hot dogs. Hard to go wrong with that winning combo. This local fast-food snack might not fit into your nutritionist’s five-point plan but is sure to hit the spot after a day of sightseeing or an evening enjoying Colombia’s famous nightlife.

The salchipapa Colombiana may include toppings like egg, cheese or onion as well as condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and aji chili sauce.

Patacones / Tostones

A popular Colombian street food made from twice-fried plantains, tostones are served as a side with many traditional Colombian dishes or as a tasty snack on their own.

Green plantains (like starchy, unsweet bananas) are sliced, fried, smashed, and then fried again until crispy. They are typically seasoned with a bit of salt and served with sauces as a satisfying and truly local Colombian street food snack.

Chorizo

A flavorful pork sausage with Spanish origins, Colombian chorizo is seasoned with garlic, paprika, cumin, and other spices. It is usually grilled or fried and enjoyed as street food, often served with arepas, potatoes, or lime wedges.

Breakfast, Baked Goods and Pastries

Start the day off right in Colombia with hot Colombian coffee and warmed treats from the Pandaria.

Buñuelos

These Colombian-style donuts are slightly sweet and slightly savory, flavored with cheese. They are deep-fried so that they are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. A festive food, they also make a great breakfast, just don’t have too many. You can find buñuelos throughout Colombia.

PandeBono

Similar to the buñuelo this small bread flavored with cheese is commonly enjoyed for breakfast and makes a great on-the-go snack. They are made from yuca flour and are baked instead of fried. You can find this traditional Colombian food throughout Colombia but especially inValle del Cauca.

Almojábanas

Like the others, almojábana is another take on cheese-stuffed bread balls. These ones are also baked, although they use different ingredients. They are best enjoyed hot with a nice cup of coffee.

Achiras

These traditional Colombian cheese biscuits are made from achira (canna) flour and cheese, giving them a unique texture and flavor. These savory snacks are crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside. They are typically eaten as a snack with coffee in the morning or afternoon, or as a standalone treat throughout the day.

Sweet Snacks and Street Desserts

Colombians have a sweet tooth and if you do too, there plenty of traditional sweets and deserts to satisfy your cravings.

Arequipe / Dulce de Leche

This popular Colombian caramel is often used as a topping or filling with many deserts and sweets.

Churros

Perhaps more frequently associated with Spain, Colombian churros are a little different from their Spanish counterpart. Smaller and formed into rings, Colombian churros are served sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon or with dulce de leche. Find these on the street for a sweet afternoon snack or dessert.

Obleas

Obleas are a dessert and street food snack served throughout South America. Thin wafers are layered with fillings like condensed milk, chocolate, raspberry sauce, jams, cheese, or any other sweet filling you might think of. Find on the street corners throughout Colombia.

Merengón

This traditional Colombian-based meringue dessert is made by layering sweet crunchy meringue with cream and fruit, similar to the pavlova eaten in Australia and New Zealand.

Paletas

Paletas known as ice blocks, ice-lollies, or popsicles elsewhere, can be found on almost any street corner along Colombia’s north coast.

Homemade and in a huge variety of flavors and colors they are the perfect solution to beat the heat of the Caribbean. Check out La Paletería in Cartagena for our favorite paletas.

For more great foods from the northern region of Colombia, check out this comprehensive Guide to Food in Cartegena, Colombia

Mango Biche

While it’s normally best practice to steer clear of unripe fruit, an exception should be made for this Colombian delicacy, the tart green mango served with salt.

Sliced up in a cup and sprinkled with salt and sometimes some chili powder, this common fruit snack is sold along the streets and beaches of north

Bocadillo

Not to be confused with the sandwiches of spain, Colombia’s Bocadillo is a sweet guava paste, often paired with cheese.

Manjar Blanco

Manjar Blanco is a creamy, sweet milk pudding similar to dulce de leche, made by slowly simmering milk and sugar until it thickens and caramelizes. It is often enjoyed as a dessert on its own or used as a filling for pastries and cakes.

Mazamorra

Mazamorra is a traditional Colombian dessert made from hominy corn cooked until soft and tender, often served with milk and panela (unrefined cane sugar). It has a creamy, porridge-like consistency and is enjoyed either warm or cold as a comforting and sweet treat.

Solteritas

Solteritas are a traditional Colombian snack consisting of thin, crispy wafers topped with a sweet mixture of arequipe (caramel) and cheese. They are typically colorful and often enjoyed as a festive treat during holidays and special occasions.

Cocadas

Coconut candies are a little like a coconut macaroon; these popular treats are made from grated coconut, sugar, and sometimes milk or condensed milk. These chewy, sweet treats are often shaped into small balls or squares and can be flavored with ingredients like pineapple, cinnamon, or vanilla.

Colombian Drinks, Juices and Beverages

Whether its a hot cup of Colombian coffee in the mountainous coffee region, a fresh jugo on the streets of Medellin, or a cooling limon de coco beat the heat on Colombia’s coast, these are some of the drinks you have to try on the streets of Colombia.

Colombian Coffee

Colombia is widely regarded as one of the best coffee-producing regions in the world. This is due to the unique combination of elevation and climate found in the foothills of the Colombian Andes. Colombians typically enjoy brewed coffee without milk. The coffee is often weaker than other styles of coffee, but in good cafes brewing premium Colombian coffee, it is easy to see why Colombian coffee is so famous. To dive further into the coffee culture of Colombia, you must visit the stunning coffee region.

Cholado

This refreshing fruit cocktail is made with shaved ice, syrup, condensed milk, and fruit and served at street stalls throughout Colombia.

Jugos

Hot from walking and thirsty from snacking? Grab fresh fruit juice from the many stalls on street corners or in the markets. In Colombia, you are likely to find exotic fruits such as maracuyá, huachuca, and zapote, so make sure you give them a try.

Salpicón

Another sweet and refreshing fruit cocktail drink this one is made with a variety of diced fruits such as watermelon, pineapple, papaya, and bananas, mixed with orange juice or soda. It is often served chilled and sometimes topped with a splash of condensed milk for added sweetness.

Avena

Avena Colombiana is a rich and creamy beverage made from oats that are simmered in milk, spices, and sugar before being chilled. Perhaps the original on-the-go shake, this filling beverage makes the perfect quick breakfast when you are in a hurry.

Limonada de Coco

Limonada de coco is the signature drink of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast and one of our favorite treats. Made with coconut, lime, and lots of sugar this refreshing drink will definitely help you beat the stifling heat of Northern Colombia. Try spicing it up with a shot of rum during happy hour!

Sit-Down Meals

Okay, the following entries in Colombia’s great street foods are…not strictly street food, but they’re not exactly white tablecloth affairs either. They are affordable, delicious, and traditional meals you can find in markets and simple family-run restaurants around the country.

Menu del Dia

The menu del día is ubiquitous throughout South America, and Colombia is no different. It is a set menu special offered by many restaurants.

Served at lunchtime from market vendors or hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pop restaurants, a menu del día comes with a soup for a starter, a choice of main dish, plus sides like rice, fried potatoes, fried plantain, an arepa, often a juice or some other drink and sometimes a postre or desert.

The Colombian daily menus we found were honestly our favorite in the whole of South America and the best value at around $2 – $5 USD

Best Menu del Dia Dishes

• Chuleta Valluna – This fried pork chop is one of our favorite mains or ‘segundo,’ Colombia’s version of pork schnitzel.
• Pescado Frito – Popular South American dish consisting of a whole fish, typically trout or tilapia, marinated with lime, salt, and garlic, then dredged in flour or cornmeal and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown
• Pollo Asado – Marinated grilled chicken is a popular plate offered for menu del dia.
• Carne Asada – As above but with beef (res) or pork (cerdo)
• Carne Sudada – A traditional Colombian meat stew.

Langostino

Langostino, or spiny lobster, is a specialty from the northern part of the country. This traditional Colombian dish unlike in most other countries in the world is not really fancy. Locals pluck huge rock lobsters straight from the warm waters of the Caribbean and serve them up, split, basted, and grilled with a side of plantain, rice, and salad. Find langostino served at small beachside restaurants in villages along the coast. Whole lobsters start from less than $10 USD, shoes optional.

Fritanga

A bit like a Colombian mixed grill, the fritanga comes with fried meats like chorizo, morcilla and chicharron and is served with veggies like yucca and potatos , arepas and garnishes like tomato and avocado.

Lechona

If you are as big on the pig as we are, do not miss this pork. Found in central Colombia, lechona, or lechon asado originated in the Tolima region. Lechon is a traditional Colombian food comprised of roasted pig stuffed with rice, peas, onion, and spices cooked on an outdoor oven for ten plus hours. Served with boiled potatoes, an arepa, and a sliver of pork skin this is a serious meal. As with many traditional Colombian dishes, the portions are large and can easily serve two.

Ajiaco

A dish unique to Colombia, this popular soup originated in Bogata. A chicken soup made from the meat on the bone, and chunky vegetables like potatoes and corn on the cob, Ajiaco is hearty and filling. Grab it when you are in Colombia’s high-altitude capital.

Bandeja Paisa

Colombia sees your full English breakfast and raises you a Bandeja Paisa. A staple in the mountainous areas of Colombia, it is the perfect late breakfast to nurse a hangover. This huge meal is ostensibly for one but could be comfortably shared.

Served on a platter, the Bandeja Paisa includes rice, frijoles, fries, spiced ground meat, chorizo, fried plantain, and an arepa all topped with a fried egg and avocado.

Find the Bandeja Paisa in the northwest of Colombia in the Antioquia Department surrounding Medellin. This is definitely one of our favorite Colombian dishes even if it’s not, strictly speaking, street food.

Unique and Adventurous Street Food in Colombia

For those wanting to try something very unusual, Colombia has a couple of dishes to challenge even the most adventurous palette.

Hormiga Culona

For an unusual Colombian street food experience, seek out these traditional fried ants. Leafcutter ants are known as big butt ants in Spanish and have been enjoyed as a local delicacy for hundreds of years.

Crunchy, salty, and a little smoky, enjoy this unusual snack like you would a bag of peanuts or a box of popcorn.

Jugo de Borojó

A fruit juice made from the borojó fruit a native to Pacific Colombia, known for its aphrodisiac properties and unique, tangy flavor.

Changua

A breakfast soup made with milk, scallions, and eggs, often served with stale bread for dipping.

Mondongo

A traditional tripe soup made with diced tripe (stomach lining of a cow), vegetables, and spices.

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We hope you enjoyed our round-up of some of Colombia’s must-try street foods.

Do you agree with our choices? Are your favorite Colombian street foods on our list? What would add? Let us know below!