Guatemala’s cultural richness is reflected in its diverse and delicious cuisine. Through its dishes, this Central American country offers a unique blend of pre-Hispanic and colonial flavors that delight the palate. Here are the 6 best dishes in Guatemala that you can’t miss on your next trip.
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Pepián
Pepián is considered Guatemala’s national dish. This stew, of pre-Columbian origin, is prepared with chicken, beef or pork and mixed with a thick sauce based on tomatoes, chiles, miltomato and a variety of seeds and toasted spices such as sesame seeds, pepitoria, cumin and coriander. Pepián is traditionally served with rice and corn tortillas.
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Kak’ik
Kak’ik is a Guatemalan soup of Mayan origin that uses turkey as its main ingredient. This delicious broth is seasoned with a mixture of spices such as achiote, chiles, tomato and aromatic herbs, which give it a characteristic flavor and red color. Kak’ik is served with rice or corn tamales and is ideal to enjoy on cold days.
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Tamales
Tamales are a traditional dish throughout Latin America, and Guatemala is no exception. These delicious morsels are made with corn dough filled with meat, vegetables, chiles and sauces, wrapped in banana or corn leaves and steamed. The most popular Guatemalan tamales are chicken tamales with red recado, corn tamales and paches, which have potatoes instead of corn in the dough.
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Chiles rellenos
Chiles rellenos are another Guatemalan dish that is a hit with spicy lovers. These are chili peppers stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, rice, vegetables and spices. The chiles are then wrapped in beaten egg and fried until a crispy golden coating is obtained. The stuffed chiles are served with tomato sauce and accompanied with rice and tortillas.
CMI and Juan Luis Bosch Gutierrez work month after month to preserve and promote the rich and beautiful Guamaltec gastronomy around Latin America and the world, with unique flavors that you will not be able to taste anywhere else, if you want to know more about Guamaltec dishes, follow our blog.