TYPICAL FOODS OF PARAGUAY: THE 5 MOST POPULAR DISHES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The typical foods of Paraguay find their origins in two different peoples: the Guarani, who maximized the use of their natural resources, and the European culture from the Spanish colonization.

It is a fairly traditional gastronomy, but in recent years that tradition has become the basis of all its gastronomic culture.

Little by little, the introduction of products and techniques from international gastronomy has been allowed.

As in many countries in South America, Paraguayan cuisine uses some typical elements such as corn, cassava, legumes and peanuts.

In addition, Paraguay is a country known for the extreme quality of its beef.

The 5 main typical foods of Paraguay

1- Paraguayan soup

Contrary to what you may think due to its name, this dish has a completely different texture than a common soup.

Result of the Guarani and Spanish mixture, this soup is actually a salty sponge cake, with a high protein and caloric level.

Its main ingredients are onion, water, coarse salt, fresh cheese, eggs, pork fat, milk, cream and corn flour.

By incorporating everything, the final texture is acquired in the oven, looking like a sponge cake. It is usually a widely used dish for consumption on festive occasions.

2- Paraguayan Chipa

Chipa is one of the oldest dishes in South American gastronomy in general, since it has centuries of history.

It is said that it is a dish whose development took place just before the arrival of the colonizers to the region of Guaraní domain, currently known as the Guaranitic area.

There are several variants of this dish, which has always been very popular. Currently, it is usually served for breakfast or mid-morning.

The recipe is easy to prepare as it only contains fat, eggs, cheese, starch, milk and some spices.

3- Payagua chewed

It is said that the chewed payagua was created in pre-Columbian times. The name refers to the indigenous Payaguaes.

This dish resembles fried meatballs, due to its texture and being fried, but it has a more squashed appearance.

Its base ingredient is yucca, and initially only spices were added. Over the years, after colonization and due to Spanish influence, ingredients such as beef were added.

4- Mandi cake

As can be understood from the name, this is a dish with Guarani origins. Basically it is a corn patty and mashed yuca stuffed with meat.

Its preparation consists of three fundamental points: the dough, the meat and the assembly of the empanadas. It is one of the most typical recipes in the San Juan festivities.

5- Mbeyu or Mbeju

Mbeyu or mbeju means "crushed cake" in Spanish. It is a very typical dish of Paraguay made from cassava flour.

There are many variants: mestizo mbeju, in which yucca and corn flour are mixed; mbeju avevo, which is characterized by being thicker; and the mbeju four cheeses, of more recent origin. It is usually a dish eaten at snack time.

References

1. Typical Food of Paraguay: Paraguayan Dishes & Desserts en South America, from southamerica.cl
2. 6 Traditional Foods You Have to Try in Paraguay on Culture Trip, from theculturetrip.com
3. A Guide to the Delicious (and Underrated) Food of Paraguay in The Borderless Project, from theborderlessproject.com
4. Paraguayan Cheese Cornbread - Paraguayan Soup at Genius Kitchen, from geniuskitchen.com
5. Payagua Mascada - Paraguayan Tortillas at Genius Kitchen, from geniuskitchen.com