Six Traditional Foods You Must Try in Chile

​Guest Post:  Emilia Lester

If you're traveling or relocating to Chile, you'll want to taste its traditional dishes. Or maybe you've already had a taste and fallen in love with their cuisine. From empanadas and Cazuela Chilena to Charquicán, there's a lot more than just Chilean wine and pisco sour cocktails. Here are six of the most representative foods you must try in Chile.

Empanadas
Empanadas are a traditional Chilean food. They're made with flour dough, stuffed with meat or cheese, and often served with salsa. If you decide to book your trip to this country, keep in mind that this is one of many foods you must try in Chile. The most common varieties of empanadas can be beef, chicken, or vegetables. But in recent years, other fillings have become popular, such as lamb cooked in wine.
 
Empanadas are also a popular street food in this country. They're often made with a dough made from wheat flour, lard or shortening, and water. The dough is formed into balls, flattened out before being filled with meat or cheese, and baked in an oven until golden brown.

Cazuela Chilena
As one of many foods you must try in Chile, Cazuela Chilena is a traditional dish that consists of beef, vegetables, and rice cooked in a clay pot. The name refers to the fact that a clay bowl is used to serve the dish. But that is not always the case. Some restaurants cook it in any kind of pot or casserole dish. However, no matter the origin, they will serve you the dish with bread or crackers on the side. It's delicious with or without an egg cracked on top!
 
Chilena is a popular dish in Chile, and most restaurants serve it. You'll usually get a side of bread or crackers, and an egg cracked on top when you order it. If you are traveling with kids to Chille, make sure to try this food. It's a healthy dish that may look a bit exotic to some kids, so they'll be happy to try it even with some vegetables. Traditionally, beef is preferable in this recipe. However, you can order any type of meat or even just vegetables if you'd like!

Humitas
So, what exactly is a humita? A humita is a traditional Chilean sweet pastry usually made from cornmeal dough, stuffed with cheese, and wrapped in corn husks. The most common way to eat them is with butter and honey or jam on top. Therefore, many restaurants commonly serve them as appetizers or snacks at lunchtime.
You can find humitas in any market in Chile, and many vendors sell them by the dozen. Therefore, many restaurants serve them alongside empanadas.

Pastel de choclo
Pastel de choclo is another of the traditional foods you must try in Chile. Especially if you're a fan of corn, as it is its main ingredient. It can be an appetizer or a main course, and you can eat it hot or cold. Many prepare it with beef, chicken, or fish. In Chile, it is traditional to eat pastel de choclo on Easter Sunday. The dish comes with a side of beans (habas), eggs (huevos fritos), and salad (Ensalada).
 
The ingredients for the pastel de choclo include corn flour (masa harina), beef, chicken or fish fillets, onion, garlic and tomato sauce, and eggs (optional).

Charquicán
Charquicán is a Chilean dish made with charqui or jerky. The name comes from ch'arki, the Quechua word for sun-dried meat. It's usually made with beef or pork, but it can also be made with other meats, such as chicken or lamb.
 
So, how do they make charquicán? There are many different ways and recipes to make this traditional dish. Still, most involve cooking the jerky over low heat in water until it becomes tender enough to easily shred with a fork – similar to pulled pork! After that, it's time to add some vegetables, usually onions and tomatoes. And as a finishing touch, restaurants typically serve them on top of fried potatoes (fried twice, so they're extra crispy). If making your own doesn't sound appealing, there are plenty of restaurants around Chile serving it up too!

Churrascos
Churrasco is a type of meat, usually beef but sometimes lamb or pork. The meat is cooked on a grill and served with fries, known as papas fritas in Chile. The fries are often topped with mayonnaise, ketchup, and other delicious and unique sauces to Chile.

Many eat Churrasco with a side salad (Ensalada mixta) that includes lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado slices. It's important to know that Churrasco is not the same as a hamburger – they have different flavors and textures. So be mindful when ordering to ensure you don't get the wrong dish.

How to organize a relocation to Chile?
If you love tasting great food, consider moving to Chile soon. This country is one of the best destinations for newlyweds and a great place to raise a family. Before you embark on your journey, there are a few things you'll need to organize:

• Visas: Chilean visas are valid for 90 days and must be obtained before entering the country. You can apply for your visa in person or by mail, but only at the Migration Office within Chile or an embassy or consulate outside Chile.
• Health insurance: All foreign residents must belong to a social security system that provides health care coverage when they enter the country.
• Travel insurance: Your travel insurance should cover all potential emergencies that could arise during your stay in Chile; this includes medical costs incurred as a result of an accident during your trip abroad as well as getting home again if something goes wrong on your trip back home from South America.

Conclusion
​The food in Chile is as diverse as its people. Whether you're looking for traditional dishes or something more exotic, these are six traditional foods you must try in Chile. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes time for dinner. We hope this list has given you some ideas on what to try next time you find yourself at a restaurant in Santiago!
 
Author’s bio:
Emilia Lester is a blog writer and travel enthusiast. She spent years writing online content for relocation companies, including professionals from Clean Cut Moving. Her favorite subjects to write about are travel, design, and family life. In her free time, Emilia enjoys good food and spending time with her friends and family.
 
Photos:
Unsplash

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