Chile is famous for its iconic destinations such as Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Easter Island in Polynesia, or San Pedro in the Atacama Desert. While not as known for the Chile food and culinary scene, we compiled a list of our top recommendations based on nearly two months of first hand experience eating all around the country.
Chile Food and Culinary Overview
Chile extends 2,653 miles (4,270 km) from Peru in the north to the tip of South America at Cape Horn in the south. The country is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Andes Mountains in the east but only averages 110 miles (177 km) in width. Along the way there is incredible diversity of landscapes that include the dry Atacama Desert, wineries of Maipo Valley, metropolitan city of Santiago, active volcanoes throughout Northern Patagonia, countless glaciers throughout Southern Patagonia, and much more. While sharing one of the longest borders in the world with Argentina, the Chile food and cuisine differs greatly from its neighbor. Chile also has a population with substantial European heritage like Argentina, but there is greater culinary influence on Chile food from its indigenous communities.
Over the course of traveling from Magallanes in the far south to Antofagasta in the north and even to Easter Island in Polynesia, we were introduced to various distinct cultures of Chile. We talked to many Chileans about the Chile food that is culturally important to them and made sure to give it a try. The places we ate spanned various dining levels and cuisine types. We tried specific Chilean dishes as well as international cuisine that was highly regarded. Besides dishes we were also recommended specific local brands that are culturally significant. Experiencing the combination of Chilean dishes and products enhanced our time in Chile, and left us wanting to return to more thoroughly explore it.
This list includes Chile food, products, and drinks that have an importance to the country and region and are worthwhile to try when visiting the country to get a better perspective of the culture from a culinary perspective. After reading about the items, there is a list of recommended places by region that you can reference for inspiration of places to add to your itinerary as well. We intend to return to Chile in the near future to explore additional regions and expand the list.
Popular Chile Food and Drinks
Food
Empanadas
One of the most popular dishes, these are made with dough folded over meat, cheese, or vegetables then then usually oven baked with the most popular being De Pino
De Pino: combination of onions, spices, beef, olive, egg, and raisin
Pastel de Choclo
Another popular baked dish usually filled with De Pino but is instead made with sweetcorn and resembles a casserole in appearance as well as texture
Sopaipillas con Pebre
Popular appetizer made from rounded fried dough that comes with a diced sauce of pepper, onion, and garlic
Pichanga
Shareable dish that includes a mixture of various cheeses, diced meats, olives, or other finger foods based on the person preparing it
Chorillana
Shareable plate of french fries that is covered with a generous quantity of eggs, beef, sausage, caramelized onions, and cheese
Sandwich
Beloved dish throughout the country, they are made with quality frica (bread rolls) and include a generous portion of meat. Some of the most popular variations include:
Churrasco: thinly sliced beef
Lomito: thinly sliced pork loin
Mechada: stewed beef dish slow cooked with onions, carrots, pepper, and garlic
Italiano: combination of avocado, tomato, and mayo that can be added on top
A lo Pobre: meat served alongside fries, eggs, and rice instead of on bread rolls
Barros Luco
Thinly sliced beef sandwich covered in melted cheese which was beloved by and then named after Chilean President Ramon Barros Luco
Barros Jarpa: same sandwich but made with jam instead and named after the former Vice President Ernesto Barros Jarpa
Completo
Hot dog covered in large quantities of various toppings such as tomato, avocado, onion, mayo, and sauerkraut
Cazuela de Vacuno
Traditional hearty stew made with squash, potatoes, corn, and beef or at times with chicken or other regional preferences
CHupe de Jaiba
Coastal delicacy comprising of tender and rich in flavor crab meat that is cooked with onion, garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, spices, and bread into a hearty gratin
De Centolla: speciality dish from Southern Patagonia with King Crab instead
Cordero Al Palo
Traditional Southern Patagonia dish that is also popular in Argentina where a lamb is placed on a metal pole and roasted over an open flame
Curanto
Chiloe method of cooking under ground where a mix of items such as seafood, fish, meat, and vegetables are cooked with hot stones
El Umu: Polynesian method of cooking under ground that is very similar to curanto but is traditional to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the Chilean Pacific island
Ceviche con Camote Frito
One of the most popular dishes on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), fresh seafood from the ocean is served raw in lime marinade alongside cooked sweet potato crips
Manajar
Caramelized milk made by heating milk with sugar until it is a thick brown consistency that is spreadable and found in various Chilean desserts
drinks
Pisco Sour
Pisco is a brandy liquor that is made into Chile’s favorite cocktail using freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar. There is disputed origins for this drink with Peru and a disagreement to whose cocktail is correct with variations including egg whites and bitters
Within Chile Pisco Sours are made with local ingredients such as the calafate berry in Patagonia, rica rica herbs in San Pedro de Atacama, other fruit, or cola (Piscola)
Cerveza Austral
Brewery established in 1896 in Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost city, that produces award winning beers popular in Patagonia and the country in general
Varieties: Calafate Ale (rich Patagonia fruit ale), Torres del Paine Hell’s Bock, Lager, Patagonia 508 Pale Ale, and Yagan Dark Ale
Carmenère
Medium bodied red wine that was brought to Chile by the French and now is the country’s signature red wine which pairs perfectly with rich grilled meat dishes
Carbonated Drinks
While Coca Cola is Chile’s favorite soft drink, so much that is one of the top consuming countries per person in the world, there are also local favorites that people enjoy:
Bilz: fruit flavored red soft drink
Pap: papaya flavored soft drink
Kem: pineapple flavored soft drink
Mote Con Huesillo
Sweet liquid made with peaches cooked in sugar, water, and cinnamon which then are mixed with fresh cooked wheat grains
Licor de Oro
Typical liquor from Chiloe made with aguardiente, whey, saffron, and lemon peel
