Typical Guatemalan Dishes

One of the most exciting parts of traveling to a place is trying its signature dishes. This also applies if you visit Guatemala.

Guatemala has many culinary influences, some from Spain, Mayan culture, Mexico, to the Caribbean. Below is a selection of traditional foods that you can try when visiting Guatemala.

Pepian

Pepián is made with onions, tomatoes, sesame seeds, garlic, cinnamon, various chilies, and chicken. Pepián is one of the oldest dishes in Guatemala.

Although pepián is generally made from chicken, this dish can also be made with beef or pork. Pepián is usually consumed with rice here.

Fiambre

Fiambre is the most famous dish from Guatemala which is a large salad. Traditionally, this dish is prepared for the Day of the Dead and All Saints’ Day.

Fiambre is also usually consumed to commemorate loved ones who have died. Fiambre can traditionally contain 50 to 100 ingredients or more. With so many ingredients, it takes several days to prepare.

Champurradas

In Guatemala, champurradas are served as a breakfast menu. Champurradas is a dish in the form of flat round cakes topped with sesame seeds. People in Guatemala consume champurradas by dipping them in coffee.

Chuchitos

Chuchitos are a popular street food in Guatemala. It consists of corn dough, mixed with delicious pieces of meat and tomato or chili sauce.

The mixture of these ingredients is wrapped in dry corn husks and steamed until the mixture is cooked. To provide a unique smoky flavor and good visual appearance, chuchitos can be lightly grilled after steaming.

If bought on the side of the road, sellers usually open the package. They’ll add a little sauce or a sprinkling of shredded cheese to further enhance the flavor.

Chicken pepián

Guatemala doesn’t really have a national dish, but pepián is probably the closest thing to it. This spicy stew, originating from a fusion of Spanish and Mayan cultures, is one of Guatemala’s oldest dishes. Although chicken is most often used, it can also be made with beef or pork. All kinds of dishes contain fruit and vegetables (usually pears, pumpkin, carrots, potatoes and corn) and a rich mixture of spices. Traditionally served with rice and tortillas.

Pupusas

Pupusas are everywhere in Guatemala and are a great way to go for travelers who have a budget to fill. Thick corn tortillas are filled with various fillings – usually refried beans, cheese and/or pork – and then fried until the surface is crispy and the inside is tender. A pupusa traditionally comes with a helping of salsa and cabbage to keep it fresh.

Hilachas

The word hilachas means ‘trash’, which seems like a strange name for a dish until you see what it looks like. It is made with a type of meat that shreds easily and is braised in a light spicy tomato sauce and cooked with potatoes, pumpkin and/or carrots. For a more complete meal, serve with rice and fresh corn tortillas.