Top 11 Most Interesting Dishes to Try in Costa Rica

Top 11 Interesting Dishes

Embarking on a culinary journey through Costa Rica offers an exhilarating blend of flavors, textures, and experiences. This Central American gem, known for its lush landscapes and rich biodiversity, also presents an array of unique dishes that may seem strange to the uninitiated. Here’s a deep dive into eleven of the most interesting dishes to try in Costa Rica, each with its own story, making your gastronomic adventure as memorable as the country’s breathtaking views.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised the next time you travel to Costa Rica with your family and friends and try these amazing dishes. Make sure you use this guide as a way to find the dishes that you and your family will love. You may find your next favorite Costa Rican dish during your next vacation to Costa Rica.

1. Gallo Pinto

Why have bacon and eggs for breakfast when you can have gallo pinto? This favorite breakfast dish successfully uses white rice and black beans left over from a previous meal. Costa Ricans saute this with red pepper, cilantro, and chopped onion. However, to achieve its distinctive flavor, they add salsa lizano.

For a traditional taste of Gallo Pinto, you can try Soda Tapia in San José. They serve authentic Costa Rican cuisine, including Gallo Pinto, with a side of scrambled eggs and plantains.

2. Sopa Negra

Sopa Negra is a tasty and hardy dish you can eat anytime during your Costa Rica travel. If you enjoy the flavors of spices like cilantro and garlic with black beans, you’re in for a treat. This Costa Rican dish is topped off with extra protein by way of a poached egg. You’ll walk away feeling healthy and full of energy to go to your next destination.

Head to Restaurante Tiquicia in San José for a delicious bowl of Sopa Negra. They are known for their hearty soups and traditional Costa Rican flavors.

3. Chifrijo

During your tropical vacation, you may frequently find yourself at a beachside bar, enjoying a beverage. Of course, you can’t drink on an empty stomach. Therefore, you’ll often be served chifrijo as a snack or appetizer that you could share with friends and family. The pork rinds are combined with beans and make a hearty treat to go with your beverage.

El Chicote Bar & Grill in Jaco is a popular spot to enjoy Chifrijo while overlooking the beach. They serve a tasty version of this classic Costa Rican snack.

4. Picadillo de Chayote

Travel doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy, and Costa Rica isn’t without plentiful fruit and vegetables. One of the best Costa Rican dishes to demonstrate the unique variety of this type of food is the picadillo de chayote. It features the chayote, a green vegetable that looks like a pear. You add bell peppers, onions, and other spices to produce a savory dish, according to Mr. Hudson Explores.

La Terrasse French Restaurant in Manuel Antonio offers a unique take on Picadillo de Chayote. They incorporate French cooking techniques while still honoring Costa Rican ingredients.

5. Ceviche de Camarón con Leche de Tigre

Ceviche is a staple in many Latin American countries, but Costa Rica’s version has its peculiarities. The “Leche de Tigre” (Tiger’s Milk) is a citrus-based marinade that cures the shrimp, mixed with finely chopped onions, cilantro, peppers, and sometimes mango or avocado for a tropical twist. What sets the Costa Rican version apart is the addition of ginger and sometimes a dash of coconut milk, adding layers of flavor and a creamy texture that surprises many first-timers. This Costa Rican dish is not only a testament to the country’s rich coastal seafood but also its ability to innovate and incorporate diverse flavors into traditional recipes.

Visit Soda La Teresita in Puntarenas for a fresh and flavorful Ceviche de Camarón. They are known for their seafood dishes and use local ingredients.

6. Sopa de Mondongo

Sopa de Mondongo is a soup that might challenge the palate of those unfamiliar with its ingredients. The Costa Rican dish’s main component is cow stomach (tripe), simmered for hours with a mixture of local vegetables, herbs, and spices. The result is a hearty, flavorful soup that is particularly popular as a hangover cure. The process of cleaning and preparing the tripe is meticulous, and when done correctly, the tripe is tender and absorbs the rich flavors of the broth. Sopa de Mondongo stands as a celebration of Costa Rican resourcefulness, showcasing how the least desirable cuts of meat can be transformed into a delicacy.

La Cocina de la Abuela in Heredia is a popular spot for traditional Costa Rican cuisine, including Sopa de Mondongo. They prepare it with care and attention to detail.

7. Chiliguaro

While not a dish, Chiliguaro is a must-try Costa Rican beverage that accompanies many meals and social gatherings. It’s a spicy cocktail made from a mix of guaro (a local sugarcane liquor), tomato juice, lime, hot sauce, and a blend of spices. Chiliguaro offers a fiery kick that captures the spirit of Costa Rican cuisine, characterized by its bold flavors and communal nature. It’s often served in shot form, making it a perfect way to start or end a meal. The drink exemplifies the fusion of traditional ingredients with a modern, party-ready presentation, embodying the Pura Vida lifestyle that is central to Costa Rican culture.

While you can find Chiliguaro in many bars and restaurants across Costa Rica, El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte in San José is known for their creative cocktails, including a fantastic Chiliguaro.

Diving deeper into the heart of Costa Rican cuisine reveals a tapestry of flavors that narrate the country’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and the ingeniously simple yet profound philosophy of Pura Vida. Beyond the already fascinating array of dishes mentioned, Costa Rica’s culinary repertoire offers even more for those eager to explore its gastronomic depth. The following additions aim to enrich your understanding and appreciation of this vibrant culinary landscape.

8. Arroz con Leche

A sweet departure from the savory, Arroz con Leche is Costa Rica’s take on the classic rice pudding. This comforting dessert combines rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and often a hint of lemon zest, resulting in a creamy, aromatic treat. It embodies the Costa Rican knack for transforming simple, staple ingredients into dishes that comfort the soul. Often served during celebrations or as a sweet end to meals, Arroz con Leche is a testament to the country’s love for communal dining and its penchant for sweetness in life.

For a comforting bowl of Arroz con Leche, try Cafe Miel in Tamarindo. They serve homemade desserts, including this classic Costa Rican treat.

9. Pejibaye Soup

Pejibaye, or peach palm fruit, is a staple in Costa Rican diets but might be unfamiliar to visitors. The fruit is boiled until tender and then used in various dishes, including the uniquely Costa Rican Pejibaye Soup. This creamy soup blends the rich, nutty flavor of pejibaye with chicken stock, cream, and spices, creating a culinary experience that is both exotic and comforting. It showcases Costa Rica’s ability to highlight local ingredients, turning them into dishes that are both innovative and deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural practices.

Restaurante Tin Jo in San José offers a unique take on Pejibaye Soup. They combine traditional Costa Rican flavors with Asian influences for a memorable dining experience.

10. Tamales

While tamales are found throughout Latin America, Costa Rican tamales have a distinct style, often reserved for special occasions, especially Christmas. They are meticulously prepared with masa (corn dough), filled with a mixture of meats, rice, vegetables, and sometimes fruits, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The process of making tamales is a labor of love, often involving the whole family and serving as a way to bond over cherished traditions. These tamales are not just a Costa Rican dish but a celebration of Costa Rican familial ties and cultural heritage.

1. Dona Lela’s Tamales in San José is a favorite spot for authentic Costa Rican tamales. They are known for their delicious fillings and perfectly steamed banana leaf wraps.

11. Patacones

Patacones, or fried plantains, are a ubiquitous side dish in Costa Rica, enjoyed for their crispy exterior and soft, savory interior. Made from green plantains that are sliced, fried, flattened, and fried again, they are often served with a side of black bean dip, guacamole, or pico de gallo. Patacones embody the Costa Rican approach to cooking: taking something simple and elevating it through technique and tradition to create a dish that is both versatile and universally loved.

Head to Soda La Salvadita in Puerto Viejo for crispy and delicious Patacones. They serve them with a variety of dips, including black bean dip and guacamole.

Costa Rican cuisine is a reflection of the country’s diverse ecosystems, from its fertile volcanic soil to its vast coastlines, which provide an abundance of fresh ingredients that form the backbone of its culinary traditions. The dishes mentioned, from Casu Marzu to Patacones, illustrate a cuisine that is at once comforting and adventurous, rooted in tradition yet open to innovation.

This rich culinary landscape is underpinned by the philosophy of Pura Vida, which is evident in the country’s approach to food: a celebration of life, community, and the simple pleasures that come from a meal shared with loved ones. Whether it’s the communal preparation of Tamales, the innovative flavors of Ceviche de Camarón con Leche de Tigre, or the comforting simplicity of Arroz con Leche, each Costa Rican dish offers a window into the soul of Costa Rica.

Embarking on a culinary adventure in Costa Rica offers more than just a chance to taste strange and unique dishes; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the country’s culture, history, and traditions. Each dish tells a story of adaptation, innovation, and the celebration of local ingredients. Costa Rica’s culinary landscape is as diverse and vibrant as its ecosystems, inviting adventurers and food enthusiasts alike to explore the depths of its gastronomy. So, while these dishes may initially appear strange, they offer an authentic taste of Costa Rica’s rich cultural tapestry, embodying the essence of Pura Vida through every bite.

A trip to Costa Rica can be a relaxing and adventure-filled experience for your family, trip with friends, or honeymoon. Whether you decide to relax on the beach the whole time or explore the local eco-diversity by photographing animals or going scuba diving, you’ll have to take a break to eat (you may want to plan an itinerary with a dependable travel agency, though!) Luckily, Costa Rica isn’t without its fair share of unique dishes you may not find in other places.

Try some of the above treats when you visit this beautiful place. You’ll be happy you ventured out of your comfort zone when you try these with your friends and family. And don’t forget that no matter where you head to next, to Travel Till You Drop!