Traditional dishes of Guatemala

Traditional dishes of Guatemala

Guatemala is a country with an incredible gastronomic richness characterized by its variety of ingredients and its colorful and ancestral recipes. Divided into 7 major regions with different culinary cultures, ingredients and traditions, the country offers a range of foods that satisfy the needs of anyone who visits it. You can't miss out on the food that characterizes traditional Guatemalan cuisine, here is a list of dishes you should try on your next trip to Guatemala.

Pepián

It’s a soup originally from western Guatemala, made with chiles, tomato, various spices and bread. This traditional dish has been made since the XVI century and throughout time different varieties of this dish have been created. You can taste it in any tourist site in the country, such as Antigua Guatemala or Atitlán. If tasting the local Guatemalan food is important in your trip, pepián is a dish you can't miss in your visit to Guatemala.

Learn how to prepare your own Pepián

Jocón

This dish is an original recipe from Huehuetenango, characterized by its unmistakable green color and delicious flavor. Like the pepian, this dish has spread throughout Guatemala, and each region of the country has its own way of making it. That is why no matter where you try this dish, it will always be a different experience.

Tamales

The tamale is a dish found in many Latin American countries, and Guatemala is no exception. Made from corn, the Guatemalan tamale has a peculiar reddish color that differentiates it from others, this is because of the delicious red filling with which the dish is prepared. The preparation of tamales is usually a long and laborious process, so it is a food that is prepared only for celebrations or ceremonies. Especially if you travel to Guatemala in the month of December or January you will find tamales all over the place, since it is very common for the end of the year celebrations to share tamales among Guatemalans.

Plantains in mole

This dish is a very peculiar Guatemalan dessert, made with plantains, chocolate and spices. Its spicy flavor and the contrast with the sweetness of the chocolate characterizes it and gives it relevance in the culinary culture of the country. Made since the XVI century, mole has become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation among other traditional dishes. If you have a sweet tooth, you can't miss this dessert during your visit to Guatemala.

Fiambre

The "fiambre" is a dish that has been made in Guatemala since the XVI century. This dish is mainly consumed on All Saints' Day, November 1st of each year. The recipe for this dish varies in each house and at each table, but the base is always the same: sausages, cheeses, vegetables and meats. This dish has become one of the greatest traditions for Guatemalan families, since the fiambre is more than a dish, it is a celebration. If you are in Guatemala at this time of the year, we recommend you to try the "fiambre" and live the tradition with the Guatemalans.

Atoles

Just as there are many delicious foods in Guatemalan cuisine, there are many beverages that complement these dishes. Among the most traditional drinks in Guatemala are atoles made from a wide variety of ingredients. Some of the main ones are: atol de elote, atol de haba, arroz con leche, atol de plátano, atol shuco, atolillo, atol de Ixpasá, among others. Many of these hot drinks are of ancestral origin and their recipes have been passed down through generations to this day. You can find these traditional drinks in fairs, markets and even in the streets of the country on your next trip.

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Discover more about the gastronomy of Guatemala and Central America in our Travelisimo blogs.

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