By getting familiar with Chile’s local cuisine, you will already be a step ahead when ordering food there. You will know what appeals to you, what ingredients to expect, and what are typical local meals. When it comes to the food culture, each country is different, so it is essential to understand the times of day when people generally eat their meals, so you don’t unexpectedly show up at a restaurant when it is closed.
By getting familiar with Chile’sChile’s local cuisine, you will already be a step ahead when ordering food there. You will know what appeals to you, what ingredients to expect and what are typical local meals. When it comes to the food culture, each country is different, so it is essential to understand the times of day when people generally eat their meals, so you don’t unexpectedly show up at a restaurant when it is closed.
It is always nice to be flexible and open-minded when it comes to food in another country, and very often, this is when you come across food you never thought you would like. However, we will give you a little overview of the local cuisine in Chile to provide you with a head start for your trip of a lifetime.
Some of the best tips for eating food abroad is to always look out for places that are busy and off the tourist trail. If they are full of locals, preferably with a smile as they eat, you know you have hit the restaurant jackpot.
Getting in touch with a local “Destination Guide” is always an excellent idea for planning any adventure. As you can imagine, they are locals themselves, so they know exactly where the best food is kept. It is highly recommended to do a cooking class if you get the opportunity, and you may find that some hotels offer to book them for you, so you might even stumble across a brochure in the lobby that tempts you. If this happens, go for it! With that being said, let us tell you a little about what to expect from the food in Chile.
Local Cuisine
Chile’s local cuisine has had a lot of influences over the year, mainly from the Spanish, but also from other countries such as France, Italy, and the UK. You can pretty much find all kinds of dishes in Chile, especially in the bigger cities, but it is always nice to try some of the local dishes, and even better to learn how to cook them too. Some local dishes and famous beverages to look out for are:
Carbonada:
This is a Chilean soup/stew, a trendy comfort meal, and something you will find on every menu. It consists mainly of beef, potatoes, pumpkin, corn, and carrots, which gives it so much flavor and classifies it as a proper hearty meal, perfect for after a day of trekking or a cold evening.
Ajiaco:
Believe us when we tell you that this Chilean soup has been known to cure hangovers, so let that be a test after a night out in Santiago. This dish is not only found in Chile but also in Colombia. However, the Chilean version uses leftover meat from the barbeque, which gives it that extra flavor. This is a local dish to try when in Chile.
Chilean Hot Dog:
Yes, in Chile, they have their own (incredible) version of the hot dog, and it is bigger than the American ones if you can imagine. This hot dog stands almost everywhere, and generally, they will have many customers. Two of the main hotdogs that people love to order are the “Completo,” which has all the trimmings, and the “Italiano,” which is still huge but has more minor trims.
Arrollado huaso:
This pork roll is a typical Chilean meal generally eaten around winter when the pigs are plump and ready to be eaten. They are made with pork meat pulp, slices of bacon, garlic, pepper, and cumin which are then cooked in a broth and served with a chili pepper sauce.
Pebre or Chilean Salsa:
This salsa varies from region to region and from chef to chef, so try it on a few occasions to compare the tastes. It is generally a combination of garlic, chili, onions, chives, coriander oil, and a little vinegar, which is served in a small dish and served with bread.
Cazuela nogada:
Known to be the perfect dish to get over lovesickness or a long trip, this stew with walnut sauce is typical in the provinces of Chacabuco and Los Andes.
Chancho en piedra:
This Chilean salsa has farm roots, being that it was a side dish created by farmers who would crush the tomatoes, onion, garlic salt, and oil with a stone when they had finished work then take it home. It is served as a condiment, just like Pebre, so you will have many opportunities to try it.
Empanadas:
If you are worried you might miss out on these, don’t be, because they are found all over Chile and all-over South America. They might look similar from the outside, although some might be baked and some fried. However, the fillings vary significantly from country to country. The typical Chilean version is “empanada de pino” filled with ground minced meat, onions, raisins, hard-boiled eggs, and olives.
Chapalele:
This is a potato bread with flour that hails from the island of Chiloe, so if this is on your itinerary, make sure you try it at the source; however, you will find it in various parts of the country too.
When it comes to food, there are many foods to try, and these were just a little taster of what to expect and give you an overview of the tastes and ingredients you will find in Chile. If you were hoping for an overview of some of the famous Chilean drinks, then we have two very famous ones right here.
Wine:
With a climate that is said to be halfway between that California and France, Chile is a great place to grow wine. They are the fifth largest exporter of wine worldwide and are the seventh-largest producer, so you know you will find some good bottles here.
This is a self-drive trip car trip through the chilean wine regions with wine tastings.
When looking for a wine region, it is good to know that their vineyards are anywhere between the Atacama Region to the Bio-Bio Region in the South, an 800mile/1287km stretch to choose from. Some of their best varieties are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc if you like white wine, and Carmenere, Pais, Cabernet Sauvignon, and merlot if you are a red wine lover.
Pisco:
Pisco is made in both Peru and Chile and is an integral part of the cuisines in both countries. In Chile, the two regions that the government has dedicated to making Pisco are Atacama and Coquimbo, which involves the fermentation of the grape variety Muscat. One of the most famous drinks in Chile is the Pisco Sour, a typical cocktail using Chilean Pisco. The cocktail is made using local Pisco, egg white, lime juice, sugar, and a lot of ice, so if you spot this on a menu, you must try it.