Panama’s food scene is a delicious reflection of the country’s diverse cultural influences. You’ll find a fusion of Afro-Caribbean, Spanish colonial, indigenous, and even Asian flavors. Panama’s long been an international crossroads, and that’s definitely shaped its food culture.
So, what can you expect to find on a Panamanian plate? Rice, chicken, and seafood are staples, along with yuca, plantains, and culantro (a stronger version of cilantro). From hearty stews to refreshing drinks and decadent desserts, the variety is incredible.
But Panamanian food is more than just sustenance; it’s a vital part of cultural preservation and family tradition. The enjoyment of food in Panama comes from flavor, refreshment, comfort, and cultural celebration. So, come along as we explore some of the must-try dishes that make up the delicious world of food in Panama!
A Tapestry of Flavors: Tracing the Roots of Panamanian Cuisine
Panamanian cuisine is a delicious mix of different cultures and flavors.
Cultural Influences
Several cultures have influenced what people eat in Panama, including:
- Afro-Caribbean Heritage: When enslaved Africans arrived in Panama, they brought flavors and cooking styles still evident today. Dishes like Sao (pickled pigs’ feet) and “One Pot” meals, which are reminiscent of dishes like Jamaican run-down, reflect this heritage. Along the coast, especially in places like Colón, you’ll find lots of coconut milk and spices in the food.
- Spanish Colonial Legacy: The Spanish colonists left their mark on Panama’s food scene, too. Dishes like Sancocho (a hearty chicken soup) and Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken) show the Spanish influence. Rice and many kinds of meat were introduced to Panama by the Spanish.
- Indigenous Traditions: The indigenous people of Panama also have a big impact on what people eat. They’ve contributed local ingredients and traditional cooking methods that are still used today.
Panama Canal’s Impact
When the Panama Canal opened in 1914, it brought even more people and flavors to Panama, creating an even more diverse food scene.
Essential Building Blocks: Key Ingredients in Panamanian Cooking
Panamanian cooking makes use of a variety of ingredients, from everyday staples to unique herbs and spices. Here are some that show up in a majority of the cuisine’s most popular dishes.
Staple Proteins and Grains
Rice is definitely a cornerstone of Panamanian cuisine, and it’s served as a side with a lot of dishes. Chicken, beef, pork, and seafood are the most common proteins and are prepared in a number of ways, including stews, rice dishes, and fried entrees.
Key Vegetables and Herbs
Yuca and plantains are the starches you’ll find most often, and they’re served boiled, fried, or mashed. Culantro, which is a bolder relative of cilantro, is a signature herb that’s used in many savory dishes.
Signature Seasonings
A flavorful base of onions, peppers, and garlic called sofrito is essential in Panamanian cooking, and it’s used in a wide range of dishes. Achiote, also known as annatto, is often used to add color and a mild flavor. In coastal dishes, coconut milk is a common ingredient.
A Culinary Tour: Popular Panamanian Dishes
Panama’s food scene is a vibrant mix of flavors and influences from around the world. Here are a few dishes you simply must try when you visit.
Soups and Stews
Soup is always a great way to get to know the cuisine of a new place.
Sancocho de Gallina:
Think of this as Panama’s national dish. It’s a hearty chicken soup loaded with vegetables and herbs. It’s kind of like your grandma’s chicken soup, but with a little more spice. Panamanians often reach for a bowl of sancocho when they’re feeling under the weather or just need some comfort food.
Carne Guisada:
This is a delicious beef stew that’s packed with flavor. The key to a perfect carne guisada is to really brown the meat to develop those deep, rich flavors. A good sofrito, which is a blend of aromatics, is essential, and the stew needs to simmer slowly to allow the flavors to meld. Be sure to adjust the seasoning throughout the cooking process, and serve it over perfectly cooked rice.
Rice Dishes
Rice is a staple in Panamanian cuisine, and these dishes are proof of its versatility.
Arroz con Pollo:
Chicken and rice is another classic dish you’ll find everywhere in Panama. There are many variations, but it usually involves cooking rice with chicken, vegetables, and spices. You’ll find more Spanish influence in the interior of the country, and arroz con pollo is a perfect example of that.
Arroz con Guandú y Coco:
This dish, which is rice with pigeon peas and coconut, really highlights the Afro-Caribbean influences in Panamanian cooking. The coconut milk adds a wonderful sweetness and richness to the rice, and the pigeon peas add a nice earthy flavor.
Meat and Seafood
With coastlines on both the Caribbean and the Pacific, Panama boasts some fantastic seafood dishes, along with some hearty meat options.
Ropa Vieja:
The name means “old clothes,” and it’s a shredded beef stew with a fascinating story. Legend says a poor man once used his old clothes to make a stew, and that’s how the dish got its name.
Pescado Frito:
Fried fish is a simple but satisfying dish that’s often served with patacones (fried plantains). The fish is usually seasoned with lime and spices before being fried to crispy perfection.
Other Savory Delights
Here are a few more Panamanian dishes to try.
Tamales Panameños:
These are corn dough pockets filled with meat or vegetables. The ingredients and techniques used to prepare them are similar to those used in other parts of Central and South America. In Panama, tamales are often served at weddings and holidays.
Sao:
This is a popular dish of pickled pigs’ feet, and it’s believed to have been created by African slaves.
Paella, Bistec Picado, and Carne en Palito:
While not described in detail, these dishes (Paella, a rice dish; Bistec Picado, chopped steak; and Carne en Palito, meat on a stick) are worth exploring for a more complete taste of Panamanian cuisine.
Snacks and Street Food: Quick Bites and Culinary Adventures
When you’re on the go in Panama, you can always find a tasty snack or street food to tide you over. Here are a few favorites:
Carimañolas
Carimañolas are fritters made of yuca (cassava) that are stuffed with seasoned meat. The yuca is mashed, formed into a torpedo shape, filled, and then deep-fried until it’s golden brown and crispy.
Empanadas
Empanadas are savory pastries that can be baked or fried. In Panama, empanadas are often filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
Patacones
Patacones are twice-fried plantain slices that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re a popular side dish or snack.
Pro tips for perfect patacones: Use green, firm plantains. Don’t overcrowd the pan when you’re frying them. Smash them evenly so they cook consistently. Season them right after the second fry.
Sweet endings: Traditional Panamanian desserts
No meal is complete without dessert, and Panamanian cuisine is no exception. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love these traditional treats:
- Cocadas. These coconut macaroons are made with shredded coconut and sugar.
- Tres leches cake. This sponge cake is soaked in three kinds of milk, making it an incredibly moist and decadent dessert.
- Pesada de nance. This is a sweet pudding made from the nance fruit, which is native to Panama.
- Sopa Borracha. Literally translated as “drunken soup,” this dessert is a sponge cake soaked in brandy or rum syrup.
Refreshing the Palate: Traditional Panamanian Drinks
No exploration of Panamanian cuisine would be complete without sampling the country’s traditional drinks.
- Chicha de Saril: Made from hibiscus flowers, this beverage is a refreshing treat on a warm day.
- Seco Herrerano: This sugarcane liquor is considered Panama’s national drink.
- Ron Ponche: Many Panamanian families enjoy this creamy rum-based drink during the holidays. One Panamanian says, “Growing up, my family always had a bottle of homemade Ron Ponche tucked away in the fridge around Christmas. Even now, just one sip takes me straight back to festive gatherings, laughter, and music.”
Conclusion
Panamanian cuisine is rich, diverse, and delicious, reflecting the country’s unique blend of cultural influences. More than just sustenance, food in Panama is a connection to heritage, a source of comfort, and a way to share joy with family and friends.
If you ever have the chance to explore Panama, be sure to immerse yourself in the local food culture. Sample the authentic dishes, savor the unique flavors, and experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality that are so central to the Panamanian way of life.