Among all possible ways to get to know the country, food is one of the most interesting ones, and Colombian food in particular is an excellent way for travelers to explore the rich culture and everyday life of Colombia through its unique dishes. Starting from crispy empanadas, buñuelos, arepas, patacones, chicharrón, and tropical fruit to mention a few, Colombian food is based on natural elements and regional cuisine traditions. For tourists visiting Medellín, getting familiar with Colombian food may be not just about eating but also about experiencing Colombia.
Why Colombian Food Is Worth Exploring
Colombian food is shaped by the physical geography and diverse cultural background of the country. Each area has its own foodstuffs, cooking techniques, and specialties, resulting in a wide variety of traditional Colombian dishes influenced by Indigenous, African, Spanish, and many other cultural traditions. Thus, Colombian cuisine is especially attractive for tourists looking for something more than regular tourist landmarks and wanting to discover the authentic flavors and culture of Colombia.
Tourists will be able to try various snacks, meals, beverages, fruits, and desserts, which are usually consumed by Colombians on a regular basis. While some of them are well-known for international travelers, there might also be a great number of foods unknown outside Colombia. Besides, trying them with local guide enables tourists to learn when, how, and why Colombians consume such dishes.
Traditional Colombian Dishes to Try
When it comes to Colombian traditional cuisine, there are many dishes worth trying out.
First of all, arepas belong to the list of famous Colombian dishes. It is a dish made from corn in various forms with the addition of cheese, meat, eggs or other fillings.
Secondly, Colombian empanadas should also be mentioned. These are usually prepared by mixing corn dough with meat, potatoes and spices inside and then frying it until it becomes crispy.
Thirdly, patacón is also a traditional Colombian dish. It is a kind of snack that includes frying a flat form of green plantains.
Fourthly, chicharrón is one more famous Colombian dish. There are two types of chicharrón in Colombia – the one prepared from pork belly and the other one is cooked from pork rind. In any case, it will definitely amaze you with its tasty taste and crispy texture.
In addition to this, one should try chorizo, buñuelos, carimañola, bocadillo, grilled cheese, and salpicón.
More Than Just Food
Perhaps the best part about exploring the flavors of the Colombian dishes is understanding their significance through their history. Some dishes might tell about the culture, festivities, lifestyle habits, agriculture practices, or even the regions themselves.
Corn and plantain dishes, for instance, represent an integral aspect of the country’s cuisine. Fruits are also significant due to the diversity of climate that allows growing such tropical and exotic fruits in Colombia.
That is why a food-oriented guided walk would provide more experience than visiting restaurants on one’s own. The guide will be able to elaborate on the significance of the dishes and bring tourists to the places where locals would eat them.
Discovering Food in Medellín’s Laureles Neighborhood
In Medellín, Laureles is an ideal place for tourists to explore local cuisine because the neighborhood contains residential areas, restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and leisure areas, which create a perfect environment for a walking food tour.
Unlike other tours that focus only on one huge meal, local food tours can take travelers through several different flavors in one neighborhood. In Laureles, Real City Tours’ Local Food Tour will take tourists through the neighborhood and give them the chance to taste about 10 different Colombian foods and drinks including fresh fruit salpicón, two different kinds of arepas, patacones, chorizo, chicharrón, grilled cheese, guandolo, bocadillo, carimañola/empanadas, and buñuelo.
In addition, the tour will teach visitors the significance and culture behind the specialties.
Turning a Meal Into an Authentic Colombian Experience
It is not necessarily difficult for tourists to have an authentic Colombian experience, since sometimes the most unforgettable experiences come from enjoying local food, interacting with local people, exploring new neighborhoods, and tasting things that they have never tried before. These simple moments can help travelers connect with Colombian culture in a more meaningful and memorable way.
Such an experience becomes much easier to achieve when tourists go on an organized tour which will give them the chance to taste multiple Colombian dishes while learning their cultural importance at the same time. Additionally, such tours help tourists to reduce their fear while ordering exotic foods.
Foodies are able to enjoy a more personal experience of Medellin through such tours rather than just visiting well-known sites and taking pictures of them.
What to Expect From a Medellín Food Tour
One good thing about a good food tour is that it will be varied, culturally enriching, and also allow you sufficient time at each location. The duration of the tour by Real City Tours is approximately 2.5 hours, and the tour is carried out in English although Spanish is available for those booking privately. Food and drinks are included in the cost of the tour.
In addition to the above information, travelers need to think about their diet before booking. The tour includes some pork, beef, and dairy products, hence is not appropriate for vegetarians and vegans.
As the tour involves walking around Laureles, comfortable clothes are advised.
Why Local Food Makes Travel More Memorable
Seeing things during tourism shows the visitor how a place looks, but food can provide information about how people live in the area. Local food usually has stories which can be only known from tasting the food, not by using cameras and travel guides.
Touring Colombian food with a local point of view can help tourists step out of their comfort zones and eat foods that are different than the usual foods that they have eaten before.
More importantly, food helps people get closer and interact with each other. Sitting and talking about the recommended foods and asking questions can make any day unforgettable in travel history.
Conclusion
Trying out traditional Colombian meals will be one great way of experiencing another dimension of Colombia. With many different options to explore, such as arepas, empanadas, patacones, chicharrón, buñuelos, fresh fruits, and local delicacies, Colombian cuisine has something that curious tourists can enjoy.
When you are visiting Medellín, trying all these flavors in Laureles via food tours will make your experience even more fun by adding walking, food and storytelling into the mix. If you want to explore the destination beyond regular tourism, trying local food is an easy and effective way of doing it.
Curious about what local food in Medellín tastes like? Then join us on a Local Food Tour with Real City Tours.
FAQs
1. Some of the popular Colombian foods to try include?
Popular Colombian foods include arepas, empanadas, patacones, chicharrón, buñuelos, chorizo and fruit.
2. Which are the neighborhoods to try Colombian food in Medellín?
Laureles neighborhood is an amazing place to try all kinds of snacks, meals and drinks that Colombia offers.
3. What does the local food tour include?
Real City Tours food tour includes about 10 types of Colombian snacks, meals and drinks along with explanations of the local culture by a guide.
4. What is the length of Real City Tours Local Food Tour?
Real City Tours Local Food Tour lasts for about 2.5 hours.
