Bolivian Anticuchos

Introduction: Anticuchos — skewers of marinated beef heart, grilled over charcoal — trace back to colonial-era Andean cooking and are found in variations across the region. Cultural Background: Anticuchos — skewers of marinated beef heart, grilled over charcoal — trace back to colonial-era Andean cooking and are found in variations across the region. In Bolivia, […]

Salteñas

Introduction: Salteñas are Bolivia's most famous savoury pastry, said to have been popularised by refugees from Salta, Argentina, in the 19th century. Cultural Background: Salteñas are Bolivia's most famous savoury pastry, said to have been popularised by refugees from Salta, Argentina, in the 19th century. Filled with a juicy, slightly sweet-spicy stew of meat, potato, […]

La Paz Chairo

Introduction: Chairo is a thick Andean soup from the La Paz highlands, built around chuño (freeze-dried potato), a preservation technique dating back to the Tiwanaku and Inca eras. Cultural Background: Chairo is a thick Andean soup from the La Paz highlands, built around chuño (freeze-dried potato), a preservation technique dating back to the Tiwanaku and […]

Santa Cruz Beef and Rice

Introduction: Majadito hails from the eastern lowland department of Santa Cruz, where rice cultivation and cattle ranching define the local cuisine. Cultural Background: Majadito hails from the eastern lowland department of Santa Cruz, where rice cultivation and cattle ranching define the local cuisine. Built on charque (Bolivian dried, salted beef), the dish is a hearty, […]

Bolivian Peanut Soup

Introduction: Sopa de maní reflects Bolivia's lowland agricultural bounty, where peanuts have been cultivated for centuries. Cultural Background: Sopa de maní reflects Bolivia's lowland agricultural bounty, where peanuts have been cultivated for centuries. Creamy and mildly spiced, it's a comfort dish served across social classes, from home kitchens to formal restaurant menus in Cochabamba and […]

Silpancho

Introduction: Silpancho originated in Cochabamba in the mid-20th century and has since become a national favourite, typically eaten at lunchtime. Cultural Background: Silpancho originated in Cochabamba in the mid-20th century and has since become a national favourite, typically eaten at lunchtime. It layers rice, potatoes, a thin breaded and fried steak, and a fried egg […]

Tucumanas

Introduction: Tucumanas are fried cousins of the baked salteña, sold hot from street carts, particularly popular as a mid-morning snack in La Paz and El Alto. Cultural Background: Tucumanas are fried cousins of the baked salteña, sold hot from street carts, particularly popular as a mid-morning snack in La Paz and El Alto. Their crisp, […]

Pique Macho

Introduction: Pique macho was created in Cochabamba in the 1970s and quickly became a symbol of hearty, shareable Bolivian food. Cultural Background: Pique macho was created in Cochabamba in the 1970s and quickly became a symbol of hearty, shareable Bolivian food. Piled onto a single large platter for the table to share, it combines fried […]

Goep

Introduction: Goep, a tripe stew simmered with chilies and radish, is a festival dish reflecting Bhutan’s tradition of using the whole animal after a special-occasion slaughter. Cultural Background: Goep, a tripe stew simmered with chilies and radish, is a festival dish reflecting Bhutan’s tradition of using the whole animal after a special-occasion slaughter. It requires […]

Shakam Paa

Introduction: Shakam Paa is made from sun-dried strips of beef, an age-old Bhutanese preservation method suited to a mountainous country without reliable refrigeration in earlier times. Cultural Background: Shakam Paa is made from sun-dried strips of beef, an age-old Bhutanese preservation method suited to a mountainous country without reliable refrigeration in earlier times. Rehydrated and […]