ExploFood · North America
What to eat in Costa Rica
Five dishes to try in Costa Rica, the most typical first. One is vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Costa Rica
Gallo pinto
Rice and black beans fried together with onion, pepper and coriander.
How to have it: The national breakfast, with eggs, sour cream and Salsa Lizano at every soda (local diner).
Casado
Set plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and a choice of meat or fish.
How to have it: The cheapest filling lunch at any soda; ask for the vegetarian version if you want it.
Arroz con pollo
Yellow rice cooked with shredded chicken and vegetables.
How to have it: A party and family dish, served with potato chips and salad.
Tamal
Corn dough filled with pork, rice and vegetables, steamed in banana leaves.
How to have it: A Christmas food, sold in pairs (piña) during December.
Ceviche
Raw white fish cured in lime with onion, sweet pepper and coriander.
How to have it: Sold in cups at beach stalls and bars as a snack with soda crackers.
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Questions
What food is Costa Rica famous for?
Gallo pinto (rice and black beans fried together with onion, pepper and coriander) comes first on our list, followed by Casado, Arroz con pollo, Tamal and Ceviche.
What is the national dish of Costa Rica?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Costa Rica is Gallo pinto: rice and black beans fried together with onion, pepper and coriander. The national breakfast, with eggs, sour cream and Salsa Lizano at every soda (local diner).
Which dishes in Costa Rica are vegetarian?
One of the five on this page is vegetarian as usually made: Gallo pinto. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Costa Rica?
Ceviche (raw white fish cured in lime with onion, sweet pepper and coriander).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Tick off every dish you try in Costa Rica
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.