Costa Rican cuisine is a combination of indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences based on fresh ingredients and simplicity. If you are visiting the country and wish to take part in the real food culture, Costa Rican dishes are a must-try. Let’s talk about seven traditional and iconic Costa Rican foods that will give you an authentic impression of the culinary culture. You will not be disappointed!
1. Gallo Pinto – The Costa Rican Breakfast
The first dish that comes to mind when talking about Costa Rican cuisine, it is Gallo Pinto. The simple combination of rice and beans is a staple in the Costa Rican diet (especially for breakfast). You will come across Gallo Pinto on many menus, and it is simply something that will be in many Costa Rican households and hotel breakfasts. Actually, Gallo Pinto is considered by many to be the national dish of Costa Rica.
Gallo Pinto consists of cooked white rice and black or red beans mixed with onions, bell peppers, and cilantro. The main ingredient that gives off the characteristic flavor is Salsa Lizano, a Costa Rican sauce that is mild and very particular in its flavor.
Typically, Gallo Pinto is served with fried or scrambled eggs, cheese, fried plantains, and a side of sour cream or natilla. You might also find it with tortillas or avocado. It’s a very Costa Rican way to start your day. Leaving Costa Rica without trying Gallo Pinto would be a regret. If you are a morning person and would like to make your own Gallo Pinto, the recipe is not that difficult and is a fun way to start the morning.
2. Casado – A Classic Costa Rican Lunch
Casado is a traditional Costa Rican lunch that will guarantee you leaving the table feeling full, energized and satisfied. “Casado” literally means “married” which refers to how this dish’s components come together. As you can tell, the Ticos are creative in how they name their dishes.
A casado typically includes:
- White rice
- Black or red beans
- A portion of meat (chicken, beef, pork or fish)
- A salad with lettuce, tomato and cucumber
- Fried plantains
- Optional sides such as picadillo (vegetable hash) or a fried egg
You have noticed by now that two fundamental and often recurring ingredients of Costa Rican cuisine are: Rice and beans.
This meal is usually enjoyed best and most authentically in small family-owned restaurants serving local dishes. It’s a daily lunch for many Costa Ricans because it has a good mix of protein, carbs, and vegetables. It is also an affordable and filling option —another must-try when you’re in Costa Rica.
3. Ceviche – A Fresh Seafood Delight
Ceviche is a common dish in most of Latin America, but Costa Rica has its very own twist to it. It’s a seafood dish made by marinating fresh raw fish (typically sea bass) in citrus juice which “cooks” the fish through acid denaturation.
In Costa Rica, ceviche is made with:
- Fresh fish, shrimp or a mix of seafood
- Lime juice
- Chopped onions, bell peppers and cilantro
- A pinch of salt and Tabasco or Salsa Lizano for a more distinct “kick” to it.
Ceviche is an appetizer or light meal often served with soda crackers or tortilla chips. It’s ideal to have at a beachside restaurant with a cold beer or agua de pipa (coconut water). To add a burst of flavor to the dish you might find some variations of tropical fruits such as mango or avocado
4. Olla de Carne – Traditional Beef Stew
Simply put, Olla de Carne is Costa Rica’s version of beef stew. It’s a homestyle dish often more popular to eat during colder months or on Sundays when families gather for a common meal. This dish combines chunks of beef with a variety of root vegetables, including:
- Yucca (cassava)
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Chayote (a type of squash)
- Plantains
Everything is simmered in a tasteful broth with herbs like cilantro, garlic, and oregano.
Olla de Carne is best served as a main course with white rice and tortillas. The broth is rich, and the vegetables and beef are tender, making this dish a filling choice.
5. Chifrijo – A Bar Snack Favorite
Imagine this scenario: You are at a bar and having a drink but feeling a bit hungry and wouldn’t mind something to eat. Then Chifrijo is the dish for you. Chifrijo combines beans, rice, and fried pork, layered in a bowl with fresh toppings. It also looks pretty with its colorful ingredients. Even though it is described as a snack, the bowl is generously filled.
Chifrijo consists of:
- Fried chicharrón (pork belly or pork rinds)
- Red or black beans
- White rice
- Pico de gallo (tomato, onion, cilantro)
- Tortilla chips
This dish is often served as a small plate or tapa in local bars. You will find it topped with avocado, hot sauce, and a wedge of lime.
6. Tamales – The Holiday Treat
Tamales are traditionally eaten during the holiday season, particularly connected to Christmas & New Year. However, you can find Tamales all year round at local markets.
This is how tamales are made:
- Wrapping a mixture of corn dough and fillings like pork, chicken, or vegetables in banana leaves.
- Steaming the wrapped tamales until the dough becomes more firm and the flavors mix together
Tamales are served warm and can be enjoyed as a snack or a main dish. They’re often accompanied by agua dulce (a traditional Costa Rican sugar cane drink) or coffee. Making tamales is a festive event in itself, where families gather to prepare large batches for the holidays. Definitely a Costa Rican experience!
7. Rice & Beans – A Caribbean Specialty
On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, namely in the province of Limón, it has its own culinary style and identity. One of the most famous dishes from this region is Rice & Beans, a tasty dish with African and Caribbean influences. As basic as it sounds, it is in fact a widely popular dish.
Rice & Beans is typically a combination of:
- White rice with red beans, and chicken
- Coconut milk
- Root vegetables (plantains)
- Fresh herbs and spices like thyme, allspice, and habanero peppers
Even if this dish is served in multiple corners of the country, you ideally want to try it when visiting the Caribbean coast; and don’t be fooled by the rice and beans combination comparing it with Gallo Pinto or Tamales, it’s a fact that the coconut milk and the combination of root vegetables, herbs, and peppers make this a different experience. Honestly speaking, the most tropical dish you could try during your stay in the country.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is well known for its richness of nature, but sometimes people forget to highlight its culinary richness as well. Costa Rican cuisine reflects the country’s diversity, history, and the connection between people and nature. From the simplest Gallo Pinto in every “soda”, to the most sophisticated Caribbean Rice & Beans, each dish shows a part of the cultural identity of the Ticos. When visiting this beautiful country, make sure to try some of these traditional Costa Rican dishes. Your trip will not be complete without it.
Pura Vida!
