When we think of food from Latin America, Mexican food overshadows the rest. I love Mexican food, but I learned on my trip to Costa Rica that the rest of Latin America has just as amazing food to offer. You won’t find coffee as flavorful or plantains as sweet as that in Costa Rica. Here are some of my favorite foods that I had in Costa Rica that I highly recommend trying on your next trip to Costa Rica.
Casado
Casado is one of the most popular dishes in Costa Rica, but it is also the Spanish word for “marriage”. It’s fitting because this dish is the perfect marriage between carbs and flavor. The dish usually consists of rice, beans, fried plantains, a palm salad, and some form of meat, usually chicken, beef, or fish. I did a lot of research about Costa Rican food before my trip because I like to try to cook the food from the places I’m visiting before I go, but this is something I didn’t come across. I didn’t know what Casado was until I got to Costa Rica and I found out about this dish that was being served everywhere. It is a great dish to satisfy your craving for carbs, while also eating heathy (sort of).
Pinto Gallo
Gallo Pinto is my favorite Costa Rican food. I love to cook it at home too. It is super easy. Gallo Pinto is like a fried rice. It consists of rice, beans, onions, peppers, and spices. It then is topped with a fried egg and hot sauce. I always like to fry my eggs in coconut oil for an extra tropical flavor. This dish is usually served with fried plantains and some fresh vegetables. It is served for breakfast, and trust me it is a great way to start your day, but you can also eat it for dinner if you prefer. If you do decide to eat it for breakfast, then make sure to drink some Costa Rican coffee too.
Platanos Fritos
Fried Plantains are my favorite thing that I ate in Costa Rica. I ate it at every meal if it was served. I know I said Pinto Gallo was my favorite, but really these two are tied because they are usually eaten together anyway. We don’t have anything here in Minnesota that compares to Fried Plantains, and even if you make it it isn’t the same. In Costa Rica they were so warm, sweet and chewy. I can not describe in words how amazingly satisfying Fried Plantains are. I can just say that you will regret it if you don’t eat them.
Coffee
If you go to Costa Rica without drinking coffee, well than you haven’t really been to Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s rainforests and tropical climate make it the perfect growing environment for coffee and cocoa beans. When I was in Costa Rica I visited a coffee plantation. We got to try different versions of Costa Rican coffee. My favorite was actually the dark roast, which was surprising to me because I don’t usually like strong coffee. I always drink my coffee with flavored creamer, but Costa Rican coffee has enough flavor and such a smooth taste that it can be drank black by all coffee lovers. I’m not a coffee expert, but I can tell you that Costa Rican coffee is the best.
Fruit
If you are in any tropical place, you should take advantage of the fresh fruit. I love anything fruity, especially the tropical flavors. Pineapple, Mango, Coconut, Bananas, and Oranges; I love it all! Yes, you can get these fruits here, but I promise you that they are better fresh from where they are grown. They are sweeter and hold so much more flavor. They serve as the perfect dessert too.
Hearts of Palm Salad
This is something I found very odd when researching Costa Rican food. I never had heard of anything like it. I tried to make it so I wouldn’t be surprised when I was served this in Costa Rica. I actually really liked it. It kind of reminds me of our potato salad. The palm hearts have an interesting texture, but they have a nice vinegar taste, which works well with the mayo dressing. Not everyone likes it though. I recommend at least trying it though when it is served with your Casado.
Coconut Cake
I don’t actually know the name of this, but I was served this amazing coconut cake at a little local restaurant after a river tour. It reminded me of the macaroon cookies that are very common in Latin America. It definitely tasted like it had coconut and sweetened condensed milk in it, which are the key ingredients of macaroons. I really wish I knew the name of this so that I could have it again. If you know what it is, please tell me!
These are my favorite foods that I had in Costa Rica. Are there any Costa Rican foods you feel like should be on this list?
The Journal of Wanderlust 