First brewed in 1910 by the Panama Brewing & Refrigerating Company, “The Balboa” is not as popular with locals as the other “Panama” or “Atlas” beers, but we found that they were both much more likely to give us a headache the next day. Thanks to its exposure to diversity, the food scene is full of delight surprises. Panama is not famous for its food culture, but there are some gems that not only taste good, but give you a deeper look into Panamanian lifestyles. Kirsten Hubbard is a travel writer and expert who specializes in Central America. Can you find out what they put in the marinade and pass it along to me? Read our, Panama food: 11 traditional dishes you must try, the most gay friendly cities in Latin America, the biggest gay pride events in the world. The localcuisine is comprised of a wide array of delicacies which is a reflection of thediversity in Panama. Part of eating in Panama is actually traveling there, hence the word "experience"! "Donde Jose" is the brilliant brain child of Chef Jose Caries, who tells a story with each meal, selecting and naming dishes based on local folklore, culture, combined with his own creativity. Find out more about Nomadic Boys. They're slightly different to the ones from Mexico as they're cooked in plantain leaves rather than corn husks, plus the cornmeal is slightly wetter and more flavoursome than the Mexican ones. He spends the majority of his time planning Nomadic Boys' travels meticulously right down to the minute details. You usually won't see much in the way of salad greens. American style breakfasts are also offered in most restaurants. A glass of Ron Ponche is sipped slowly, just like you would drink a glass of Bailey's or eggnog. However, things are different in the cities, especially Panama City, as well as in other parts of the country where expats from the US and Europe have settled, in particularly Bocas del Toro. This tells me you are a reputable site and very trustworthy. For more details, see our. Yuck!” But hear us out…this drink is completely unique to Panama and is surprisingly delicious as well as very refreshing. While it is not centrally located, this is one of the most popular places for foodies in Boquete. Have not been back in over 3 decades so I need to head back and enjoy my country. This is where you find yourself at the cross-section of Panamanian life and culture, while enjoying a club sandwich and Coke for less than $7. Their comprehensive coverage is second to none and their online claims process is very user friendly. It is a torpedo-shaped yuca fritter stuffed with cheese, seasoned ground beef and then fried. The cuisine in Panama features a wide array of foodsand is mostly inspired by the diverse ethic cultures in the country. And of course, a cup of Panamanian coffee is a must. With travel insurance, you can have peace of mind and not worry. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small commission. What to Eat in Honduras, From Caracol to Ceviche, Traditional Foods You Have to Try in Nicaragua, A Quick Guide to Food and Drink in El Salvador, Chicha, the Peruvian Beverage You Need to Try, Everything You Need to Know Before You Go to Costa Rica, Traditional Food to Look for in Guatemala, Photos and Descriptions of Traditional El Salvador Food, Guide to Traditional Central American Food, What Traditional Dishes to Eat in Costa Rica, The Top 20 Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Texas, Traditional Cuisine and Beverages in Panama. It is a cake soaked in three kinds of milk, including evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cream. This is Panama's signature cocktail, similar to eggnog. Yuca, or cassava, is a woody shrub root vegetable, common in Latin America and full of carbohydrates. My mom is from Panamá, I will try to make these. Rumors say this is the best restaurant in Panama City, and you realize why it is so once you are there. Rice, beans, and corn are basic staples, and good use is made of seafood and tropical fruits and vegetables. Panamanian tortillas are usually deep-fried (tortillas fritas), but they can also be grilled (tortillas asadas). Sancocho is a delicious, light chicken soup with potatoes, culantro herb (similar to cilantro but stronger in flavour), yuca and plantains. There is a lot of similarity and overlap with the traditional foods of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, which is not surprising given that they once used to be part of “ Gran Colombia “. La ropa vieja, un bœuf … Tamales are made by cooking corn dough and meat inside parcels made from plantain leaves. My problem is duplicating the sauce that they were marinated in and cooked with that is so delicious. In the interior areas expect more beef, pork, and chicken and root vegetables served with sauces typical of Latin American fare. Homophobia is therefore prevalent across the country, so do take note of this. A truly Panamanian experience indeed! This is the open-air paradise for all the seafood lovers and culture buffs who love to have a taste of authentic local flavors. We recommend going early afternoon and get as many chickens as you can! All rights reserved. Unlike Mexican tortillas, Panamanian tortillas are thicker, circular and made from corn dough. Panama breakfasts often contain deep-fried corn tortillas heaped with eggs and other delicious components, including fried meat. I would be grateful. The trip will be finished off with a ride back to the mainland – all for $150 per person. Some of the common main meal foods in Panama include the tortilla(particularly the maize-based tortilla) which is popular thin unleavened bread… As you arrive, a restaurant is waiting, where 6 courses of fine dining are prepared for you, accompanied by wine. Nevertheless, there are a couple things I’d like to clarify. If you’re looking to save money, sample the most authentic food in Panama at a fonda, or roadside stall. I was hoping to see los carnes en palito among your featured foods but did not. As the Panamanian equivalent to fried bread, Hojaldras is a delicious dish usually served for breakfast. What happens if you suffer from illness, injury, theft or a cancellation? Nice to meet you and your website was a gastronomic visit to Panama for me. The town of La Chorrera just outside of Panama City is said to be where chicheme originated, so head there to try out the tastiest chicheme! The food is nicely done, affordable, and YES, delicious. On the other hand, the food of Panama’s islands and expansive coasts is vibrant with fresh seafood and tropical embellishments, such as mango and coconut. Beer is also pretty cheap in Panama, so the last thing you want is to drink a lot and then feel a bit woozy afterwards! The origin of carimañolas is unclear, but it is thought to have originated from the French word carmagnole, which was a short jacket worn by working-class militants during the French Revolution (1789-1799). For example, in 1631 famous explorer Diego Ruiz de Campos wrote about the consumption of tortillas by the Native American inhabitants in the villages near the Caimito River. Love your blog. These people fed themselves mostly by hunting wild animals and gathering plants, and fruits. Ron Abuelo Rum (pictured) comes from one of the few distilleries that grow their own sugar cane and is particularly delicious. Saludos . It is a cocktail of rum mixed with egg yolks, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and evaporated milk. Could you provide an answer to me that I have hoped to learn for a lifetime? A typical Panama meal usually includes meat, coconut, rice and beans, accompanied by local fruits and vegetables like yucca, squash and plantains. This is so awesome!! Traditional Panamanian food has strong influences from Africa, Spain and its indigenous Native American population. As with Costa Rica cuisine, this platter is often called a casado (a “married”). Don't miss our latest posts. I am an ex Zony and grew up as a gringo who spent much time in Colon and Panama City. In Panama, it’s not Tostones, it’s Patacones. Ropa vieja is a beef stew with spices like black pepper, cumin and oregano. We first came across this dish when travelling in Gran Canaria. Login. Yhank You guys for being there for so many people. The most common ingredient in the local cuisine is corn,various types of meat, seafood, cassava (locally known as Yuva), wheat, andplantains. Fun fact about Milkiburguer: despite what the name suggests, it doesn't serve any burgers. The traditional recipe of sancocho is from the Azuero region, but other regions have their own variations. The word “tostones” comes from the Spanish verb tostar which means “to toast”. Well done!! As such it is considered the national dish of Panama. We've put together some of our favourite Panamanian traditional dishes we discovered during our trip, which we think you need to try to get a real flavour of this fascinating country. Cocadas are these yummy little coconut cookies that are popular in many parts of Latin America, particularly in Panama. Definitely! Patacones (called tostones elsewhere like in Puerto Rico) are fried green plantains. Along the way, we tried lots of different Panamanian foods and drinks. Other ingredients often used include corn on the cob (mazorca), ñampi (a tropical root vegetable), hot sauce, chopped onions, garlic and oregano. You can also add flavours like chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, dulce de leche, lime or even orange. Make sure to make a reservation before you go, otherwise, you won't get a table. Traditional Panamanian food has strong influences from Africa, Spain and its indigenous Native American population. It is truly a culinary experience over a simple dinner. We love World Nomads travel insurance and have been using it for years. Unlike other Spanish colonies, Panama's subsistence agriculture never depended on corn. Pan de Coco(aka Johnny Cakes): This is a puffy, white, round bread cooked with coconut milk. Would like to learn how Panamanians cook. Because of Panama’s diverse Spanish, American, Afro-Caribbean, and indigenous influences, Panamanian cuisine ranges from the internationally known to local exotic foods. Gracias. We strive to provide the highest standards of quality, integrity and transparency in all transactions related to property sales, management and advisory services. While on the coast, you'll find dishes made with local seafood, coconut, and tropical fruits. It's also a surprisingly filling drink, which kind of reminded us of a more liquid version of rice pudding. Sebastien is the co-founder, editor and author of nomadicboys.com. Traditional tamales take a long time to cook, so they're usually served during special occasions in Panama. Imported beer is more expensive. Old clothes or not, the ropa vieja we tried in Panama City was delicious and definitely a dish to look out for.