Christina Werthwine is a student at Western Carolina University and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile.
Chile is known for a lot of things (their language/chilenismos, history, amazing landscape), but their cuisine isn’t one of them. There are a few foods that are a must try and often serve the question “Did you really study abroad in Chile?” if you haven’t tried them. Here’s a foodie’s guide to the best eats Chile has to offer:
Empanada de Pino: This is an empanada filled with meat, an olive, and a boiled egg. Weird combination? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely! They also have other options like Napoleono (pepperoni and cheese inside) or just plain cheese, but if you are not a vegetarian I would recommend trying the one “de Pino” which is most popular. Empanadas in general are great on-the-go food and you can find them easily around Chile from local street venders.
Completo: A ‘Complete’ hotdog with shredded tomatoes, palta (avocado), and mayonnaise drizzled on top. This is a really yummy Chilean snack with a really cool combination that should really be carried on to the States! These you can find easily around Chile from local street vendors as well.
Pebre: This is a very typical Chilean salsa that mixes tomatoes, onion, green chili, garlic, and olive oil. This is typically eaten with bread at the beginning of a meal.
Choripán: Meaning Chorizo (Chori) with bread (Pan), is another type of hotdog that has pebre on top. You can also add mayonnaise to have a different taste. These have an interesting flavor that I have never experienced before coming to Chile.
Chilean Bread: Typically eaten for all the meals of the day. Chilean bread is of its own kind. If you are studying in Chile you will find it being served mostly at a time called “Once” which is a kind of “tea-time” you have with your friends and family all while eating bread with jams, cheese, butter, avocado, and more!
With this list of foods to try you are sure to have a ‘barriga llena y corazón contento’ (full belly and happy heart) to take on Chile!
Have you studied/traveled to Chile? What foods do you recommend to try while studying there? Comment below!
The world awaits…discover it.