Here are our top 5 foods in South America, and let us tell you that it was very hard to only pick five.

And our tip when searching for the best foods in South America; street food is often the best choice, tasty and very affordable!

Furthermore, we have a list of the cheapest countries to visit in South America too.

Top 5 Foods in South America

1. Tamales in Ecuador

Tamales are found in a few countries of South and Central America but are abundant in Ecuador. Tamale is a traditional dish made of starch and filling, wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf. Do not eat the wrapper; it simply keeps the filling together while being steamed.

There are various fillings. When the Aztecs and Mayans created tamales, the filling was quite simple; it consisted of squash or beans. As they are very portable, it was the food for people on the move. One of the best foods in South America.

Europeans brought more ingredients and these days the filling is a mixture of cornmeal (masa), meat, vegetables, and spices. They are quite cheap and make an excellent snack in between meals.

2. Salteñas in Bolivia

Salteñas are delicious savoury pastries filled with beef, chicken potatoes, peas, carrots, spices and even olives mixed together in a juicy broth. They come in a half-moon shape, baked at 500 degrees and must be mentioned on this list of the best foods in South America.

Most locals eat salteñas in the morning, and the best places can sell out by lunch. The city of Sucre is supposed to have the best salteñas in the country or so they say. Either way, salteñas are truly pockets of flavours not to be missed.

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3. Ceviche in Peru

What is ceviche and how do you pronounce it? Ceviche (pronounced seh-vee-chay) is a seafood dish made from fresh raw fish cured in lemon or lime juice with a touch of chilli, onions, and coriander.

Some say it’s the answer to Peruvian sushi! As the fish is raw and cooked by the acidity of the juice, it must be prepared fresh, and it doesn’t require any cooking.

The town of Trujillo in Peru is known for its unique shark ceviche. One of the best foods of South America.

4. Cazuela in Chile

A delicious stew made with potatoes, quinoa, capsicum, chilli, corn, and your choice of protein. Chicken is the most popular meat to use in this dish, however, other meats such as turkey, beef or pork will work too.

It’s common for these stews to be served with noodles or rice to bulk it out and serve more people. The key factor in preparing Chilean cazuela is to cook all ingredients separately and combine them when ready to eat.

Did you know that this dish gets its name from the cazuela pot. Traditionally, this is what a cazuela is cooked in.

There is a particular way in which Chilean people eat this dish. It is usually eaten by consuming the liquid broth first, then the meat and afterwards, the larger vegetables. 

5. Pastel in Brazil

Pastel is Brazil’s famous and favourite snack! It is a deep-fried stuffed thin-crust pastry, sweet or savoury, eaten throughout the day, as a mooring snack, lunch or afternoon treat. If you ask the locals, they will say it is one of the best food in South America for breakfast.

The origins of Pastel are linked with the Japanese immigrants who opened the first Chinese restaurants in Brazil. Every restaurant served spring rolls, and the locals deiced to create a Brazilian version.

My favourite pastel is one filled with bananas and served with Caldo de Cana (freshly pressed sugar cane juice).

Check out these 20 most popular foods from Brazil.

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Best Food Tours in South America

Want to read a more comprehensive list of foods in South America? Read 15 dishes worth travelling to South America for by Traveller.com.au.

We hope you enjoyed reading our recommendation on five popular foods in South America.

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What is your favourite South American dish? Have we missed any must-try foods in South America? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Tips for South America

We have many travel guides and tips for South America—a colourful and vibrant continent!

We believe these are the 15 best places to visit in South America.

Are you travelling on a budget? These five cheapest countries in South America will help you plan an itinerary that lets you see as much as possible.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across South America. There’s Colombian cuisine, Venezuelan food, the food in the Dominican Republic, Brazilian cuisine, and even Guyanese cuisine to inspire you on your culinary journey.

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for food.

Would you like some suggestions for packing for your South American adventure? Our ultimate packing list for travellers has you covered for the essentials. 

These top 6 travel hacks to save money are great to read when planning your travels. Try these 5 popular foods in South America; they’re delicious!

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in South America. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries, or consider a regional eSIM for Latin America (which covers 19 countries).

If your travels in Latin America are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming departures in Latin America, or view Tourradar deals on group tours in Latin America.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.