The 20 most famous dishes of Venezuela
Venezuelan cooking is joyful Creole food led by arepas stuffed with everything, combining corn, plantain and black beans with Spanish, African and Italian touches.
1Arepa Reina Pepiada
An arepa stuffed with chicken-avocado salad and mayonnaise, named in honour of a Venezuelan Miss World in…
2Pabellón Criollo
Venezuela's national dish: shredded beef in sauce, white rice, black beans and fried ripe plantain on one…
3Hallacas
Corn dough filled with a meat stew, olives, raisins and almonds, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled — the…
4Cachapas
Thick pancakes of sweet fresh corn folded over soft melting queso de mano.
5Tequeños
White cheese sticks wrapped in strips of dough and fried — at every Venezuelan party.
6Asado Negro
Beef braised in a dark glossy sauce of caramelised panela, served sliced with rice and plantain.
7Empanadas Venezolanas
Crisp corn-flour empanadas filled with shredded beef, cheese or beans — a beach breakfast.
8Pan de Jamón
The sweet Christmas loaf filled with ham, olives and raisins. For halal use smoked turkey slices.
9Quesillo
A Venezuelan flan of condensed milk and eggs whose texture is full of tiny holes like cheese, under caramel.
10Golfeados
Sweet rolls with panela, cheese and anise, glazed with syrup and served with soft cheese.
11Mandocas
Fried rings of corn flour, ripe plantain, panela and cheese — breakfast in Maracaibo.
12Patacón Maracucho
A giant sandwich using flattened fried green plantain instead of bread, stuffed with meat, cheese, salad and…
13Cachitos
Soft sweet crescent rolls filled with ham (or turkey for halal) — a Venezuelan bakery breakfast.
14Perico
Scrambled eggs with tomato, onion and pepper, stuffed into arepas for breakfast.
15Hervido de Gallina
Venezuela's rich chicken soup with corn, cassava, taro and plantain, served on Sundays to gather the family.
16Polvorosas
Crumbly biscuits of flour, shortening and sugar that melt in the mouth, served with coffee.
17Bienmesabe
Layers of sponge soaked in coconut-yolk cream under meringue and cinnamon — the name means "tastes good to…
18Chicha Venezolana
A creamy cold drink of cooked rice, milk and cinnamon, served with condensed milk — alcohol-free.
19Tizana
Chopped tropical fruit in orange juice and grenadine — a refreshing party drink.
20Arepa Dominó
An arepa stuffed with black beans and grated white cheese — black and white like domino tiles.