Cuisine in Panama

Signature dishes

Sancocho

National soup simmered with chicken, yuca (cassava), and corn.

Region: Nationwide
Main ingredients: Chicken, Yuca tuber, Coriander

Ceviche de Corvina

Fresh sea bass marinated with tangy lime.

Region: Pacific coast
Main ingredients: White fish, Lime, Onion, Cilantro

Arroz con Guandú

Aromatic rice dish cooked with pigeon peas and coconut milk.

Region: Caribbean coast
Main ingredients: Rice, Guandú beans, Coconut milk

Patacones

Twice-fried green banana chips with salty flavor perfect with beer.

Region: Nationwide
Main ingredients: Plantain, Salt, Oil

Tamal Panameño

Traditional dish of corn dough wrapped with meat and vegetables in banana leaves and steamed.

Region: Interior
Main ingredients: Corn flour, Chicken, Vegetables, Banana leaves

Hojaldres

A type of fried bread eaten with coffee at breakfast.

Region: Capital region
Main ingredients: Wheat flour, Oil, Salt

Carimañola

Snack of yuca dough stuffed with meat and fried.

Region: Atlantic coast
Main ingredients: Yuca tuber, Ground meat, Spices

Ropa Vieja

Shredded beef in tomato stew served with rice and beans.

Region: Nationwide
Main ingredients: Beef, Tomato sauce, Bell pepper

Chicheme

Sweet drink dessert simmered with corn and cinnamon.

Region: Interior
Main ingredients: Corn, Milk, Cinnamon

Coconut Rice & Beans

Afro-descent home cooking from Columbus coast with aromatic coconut flavor.

Region: Colón Province
Main ingredients: Rice, Red beans, Coconut milk