Guatemalan Food: Dining in Antigua, Guatemala

Pepian, Chiles Rellenos, Good Bread and More

Sep 22, 2009

Guatemalan food is tasty and filling and Antigua is a great place to try it. Here are some suggestions.

Antigua, home to many fine hotels and lots of fun activities, is one of Guatemala’s main tourist towns, so there is no shortage of different food types that appeal to travelers, such as burgers, pizza, sandwiches, etc. Antigua restaurants have also figured out that many visitors want to sample local foods, so it’s a good place to try Guatemalan specialties from all over the country, not just those typically associated with Antigua. Guatemalan food is spicy in the sense that they use a variety of spices to create a complex taste, but the food is not fiery hot. Often there will be a small dish of “chile” served on the table for those who wish to add a little fire.

Chiles Rellenos/Stuffed Peppers Chiles rellenos, or stuffed peppers, are a staple around the country. The sweet (not hot) peppers are peeled of the waxy outer layer of skin, hollowed out and then stuffed with a mixture of any combination of ground beef or pork, rice, vegetables, raisins, etc: every chef has his or her own recipe for them. Then they’re dipped in batter and fried before being served, usually with a mild red sauce.

Pepián, A Traditional Favorite A very popular traditional dish in the Guatemalan highlands, pepián is usually chicken (but occasionally beef or turkey) prepared in a complex, spicy (but not hot) sauce.The chicken is served chunky and there are usually other vegetables such as potatoes, beans or guisquil (a Guatemalan vegetable vaguely like a potato) included. A traditional pepián sauce is made with tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon, bread crumbs, achiote and other herbs and vegetables.

Kak’ik, A Northern Guatemalan Delicacy Kak’ik (there are a variety of spellings, but if you sound it out it comes out about the same) is a traditional turkey stew popular in the Guatemalan highlands: there are good places to get it in places like Cobán. Some Antigua restaurants will also offer it. Done properly, it takes all day to cook for the rich, varied spices to blend properly.

Tostadas, Tasty Street Food It isn’t always safe to eat food from street vendors, but those who want to try should give tostadas a shot. A tostada is a crispy tortilla loaded up with any combination of beans, cheese, vegetables, spicy sauce or meat. They aren’t usually available in the restaurants: the best places to find them are from wandering vendors near the market, terminal or park or inside the native market.

Outstanding Bread and Baked Goods Guatemalans love fresh bread and baked treats such as cakes and pies. Antigua is home to a number of fine bakeries specializing in breads and desserts. A good place to start is the bakery attached to the famous Doña Luisa Xicotencatl restaurant about a block northeast of the main square.

No one should visit Antigua or Guatemala without sampling some of the wonderful food available there!

The copyright of the article Guatemalan Food: Dining in Antigua, Guatemala in Guatemala Travel is owned by Christopher Minster. Permission to republish Guatemalan Food: Dining in Antigua, Guatemala in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.