Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia
1. Salteñas de Sagarnaga
Delicious Bolivian pastries filled with meat, potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs. Try them at the bustling market of Sagarnaga.
- Unique Filling: Unlike other salteñas in Bolivia, these have a distinctive filling with olives and boiled eggs.
- Handmade: They are handmade fresh daily, using traditional recipes passed down through generations.
- Popular Street Food: Salteñas de Sagarnaga are a staple street food in Cochabamba and are perfect for a quick, authentic snack.
2. Silpancho de Pollo
A popular dish consisting of fried chicken on top of thinly-sliced potatoes and covered in a rich tomato sauce. Try it at Casa Viejas.
- Thick Sauce: The thick, flavorful tomato sauce sets silpancho de pollo apart from other chicken dishes in Cochabamba.
- Traditional Restaurant: Casa Viejas is a historic restaurant that has been serving silpancho de pollo for over 50 years.
- Versatile Meal: Silpancho de pollo can be enjoyed at any mealtime and is often accompanied by rice, beans, and a side salad.
3. Chuño Soup in Cal Orco
Taste the traditional Bolivian chuño soup made from freeze-dried potatoes. Visit the picturesque town of Cal Orco to try it.
- Traditional Ingredient: Chuño is a unique ingredient, native to the Andes, and not commonly found in other cuisines.
- Scenic Location: Cal Orco offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it the perfect place for a day trip.
- Hearty Meal: Chuño soup is a hearty, filling meal that will warm you up on a cool Cochabamba day.
4. Tucumanas in San Javier
Try tucumanas – deep-fried cornmeal pockets filled with cheese and ground beef. Visit the colorful town of San Javier to enjoy them.
- Crispy Texture: Tucumanas have a delightful, crispy exterior that gives way to a gooey, cheesy filling.
- Unique Shape: Unlike empanadas, tucumanas are cone-shaped and have a distinctive appearance.
- Cultural Experience: Visiting San Javier offers the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn more about Bolivian customs.
5. Chichi de Arroz en la Colonia Tumbaral
Sample chichi de arroz – a thick rice pudding dessert – in the charming Colonia Tumbaral neighborhood.
- Traditional Recipe: Chichi de arroz is a traditional Bolivian dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries.
- Colonial Atmosphere: Tumbaral is a picturesque, colonial-era neighborhood with beautiful architecture and vibrant street life.
- Sweet Treat: Chichi de arroz is the perfect sweet treat to round off a day of exploring Cochabamba.
6. Anticuchos in Mercado Municipal
Enjoy anticuchos – grilled beef heart skewers seasoned with spices and aji sauce. Visit the bustling Mercado Municipal to try them.
- Offal Delicacy: Anticuchos are a traditional Bolivian delicacy made from beef heart, offering an unique culinary experience.
- Authentic Market: The Mercado Municipal is the city's largest and most authentic market, showcasing local produce and street food.
- Spicy Snack: Anticuchos are served with a tangy, spicy aji sauce that adds flavor and heat to the dish.
7. Chicha de Jora in la Canada
Taste chicha de jora – a traditional corn beer – in the rural community of la Canada.
- Corn Beer: Chicha de jora is made from fermented corn, giving it a sweet, slightly alcoholic taste.
- Rural Experience: Visiting la Canada offers the opportunity to learn about rural Bolivian life and experience the beauty of the countryside.
- Local Tradition: Chicha de jora is an essential part of Bolivian tradition, particularly in the highland regions.
8. Boliche in Parque La Ceja
Play a round of boliche – a popular Bolivian bowling game – at Parque La Ceja.
- Unique Game: Boliche is played with smaller, heavier balls and pins than traditional bowling.
- Family-Friendly Attraction: Parque La Ceja offers a fun, family-friendly activity for travelers of all ages.
- Community Gathering Spot: Boliche at Parque La Ceja is a popular gathering spot for locals, offering the chance to socialize and meet new people.
9. Llajua en la Colonia German
Try llajua – a refreshing dish made from blended lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers – in the trendy Colonia German neighborhood.
- Traditional Side Dish: Llajua is a common side dish served with many Bolivian meals, offering a fresh, tangy contrast.
- Hip Neighborhood: Colonia German is Cochabamba's trendiest neighborhood, filled with cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.
- Healthy Option: Llajua is a healthy, vegetarian dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side.
10. Chuño Pasta in San Pedro
Savor chuño pasta – a unique dish made from freeze-dried potatoes and served with cheese and meat – at the quaint town of San Pedro.
- Traditional Ingredient: Chuño is a unique ingredient, native to the Andes, and not commonly found in other cuisines.
- Scenic Location: San Pedro offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it the perfect place for a day trip.
- Hearty Meal: Chuño pasta is a hearty, filling meal that will warm you up on a cool Cochabamba day.
11. Salteñas de Sacaba
Try salteñas – Bolivian pastries filled with meat, potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs – at the picturesque town of Sacaba.
- Unique Filling: Unlike other salteñas in Bolivia, these have a distinctive filling with olives and boiled eggs.
- Scenic Location: Sacaba offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and is an ideal destination for a day trip.
- Popular Street Food: Salteñas de Sacaba are a staple street food in Cochabamba and are perfect for a quick, authentic snack.
12. Silpancho de Pescado en el Mercado Modelo
Enjoy silpancho de pescado – a fish version of the traditional dish – at the bustling Mercado Modelo.
- Seafood Option: Silpancho de pescado offers a seafood alternative to the more common chicken version.
- Authentic Market: The Mercado Modelo is the city's largest and most authentic market, showcasing local produce and street food.
- Versatile Meal: Silpancho de pescado can be enjoyed at any mealtime and is often accompanied by rice, beans, and a side salad.
13. Chuño Empanadas en la Colonia Obrera
Try chuño empanadas – deep-fried cornmeal pockets filled with freeze-dried potatoes – in the historic Colonia Obrera neighborhood.
- Traditional Ingredient: Chuño is a unique ingredient, native to the Andes, and not commonly found in other cuisines.
- Historic Neighborhood: Colonia Obrera is one of Cochabamba's oldest neighborhoods, with beautiful colonial architecture and a rich history.
- Savory Treat: Chuño empanadas are a savory treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or meal.
14. Llajua con Chicharrón en el Mercado Pujillay
Sample llajua con chicharrón – a refreshing dish made from blended lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers topped with crispy pork rinds – at the lively Mercado Pujillay.
- Unique Twist: Llajua con chicharrón adds a crunchy, savory element to the traditional llajua dish.
- Authentic Market: The Mercado Pujillay is one of Cochabamba's oldest and most authentic markets, offering a glimpse into local life.
- Filling Meal: Llajua con chicharrón is a hearty meal that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish.
15. Tucumanas en la Colonia Tres Cruces
Enjoy tucumanas – deep-fried cornmeal pockets filled with cheese and ground beef – in the modern Colonia Tres Cruces neighborhood.
- Unique Shape: Tucumanas are cone-shaped and have a distinctive appearance compared to other empanadas.
- Modern Neighborhood: Colonia Tres Cruces is one of Cochabamba's newest and most modern neighborhoods, with sleek buildings and trendy restaurants.
- Cultural Experience: Visiting Colonia Tres Cruces offers the chance to explore a different side of Cochabamba's culture and architecture.