6 Traditional Foods You Have To Try In Paraguay

Plenty of South American countries are celebrated for their vibrant cuisine, though Paraguay seems to fall by the wayside. Thanks to some in-the-know gourmands, there are Paraguayan restaurants and cafes cropping up in foodie destinations like New York and London, but you can’t beat the real thing. Here are the six most delicious traditional foods you just have to try in Paraguay.

Chipá

There are so many different variations of chipá that it’s hard to know where to start. Basically, expect a bread roll made from mandioca (also known as cassava), eggs and cheese. Different types include chipá manduvi, made with cornflour and peanuts, and chipá guazú, which is more like a flat cake made with milk, fresh corn and cheese and served with asado (barbecued meats). This typical snack is thought to have originated in the 18th century among the indigenous Guaraní; you’ll find it today at almost any street food stall throughout the country.

Borí borí

Banana leaves filled with sopa Paraguaya – an open pie made from ground corn, cheese, eggs and milk

Kivevé

This semi-sweet dish sits somewhere between a main course and a dessert. Made from a juicy type of pumpkin (known as andai in Paraguay) bound together with cornflour, Paraguayan cheese, milk and sugar, it has a creamy texture and is served lukewarm. It’s a popular breakfast dish as it’s full of calories to keep energy levels up through the hot days.

Mbejú

A staple of Paraguayan cuisine, mbejú (literally meaning ‘cake’ in Guaraní) is a starchy cake-like patty made with mandioca flour, crumbled cheese, pork fat, eggs and milk and then fried in hot oil. It became popular after the War of the Triple Alliance against Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in the mid-1800s, when food was scarce. You’ll most likely find it served alongside mate cocido (a bitter herbal tea) or coffee.

Pira caldo

This hearty fish soup, first devised after the War, is thought to enhance sexual prowess. It’s made with local river fish, like mandi’y and tare’y, which have a meaty texture and salty bite. The flavour is enhanced by vegetables fried in beef or pork fat, as well as onion, tomato, bell pepper and spices. Sometimes milk and cheese are added too. You’ll often be served mandioca as a filling side dish.

Tereré

Paraguay’s most quintessential export, tereré is a bitter herbal tea known as yerba mate brewed with cold water. It’s an absolutely vital element of Paraguayan culture and is enjoyed by pretty much everyone. You’ll spot locals carting around thermoses filled with chilled water as well as a guampa (a spherical mug) and a bombilla (a silver straw). Intensely caffeinated, this infusion is a great pick-me-up, drunk throughout the day.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.