Filled with historic attractions and things to do, Puerto Rico is a tropical island in the Caribbean Sea, that charms with its exotic hideaways, miles of white sandy beaches, mountains, valleys, and many other natural wonders. But except from its natural splendors, warm and friendly people, Puerto Rico is renowned for their fantastic food that amazingly amalgamates unique ingredients, cultures and recipes, turning itself into a drive-through buffet. So let’s delve in and see which are the 5 most magnificent dishes you shouldn’t miss while on a trip to Puerto Rico.

All sorts of fried snacks

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Even though you’re on a diet, if you reached Puerto Rico you can worry about calories later. Because the city is filled with all sorts of stalls that sell some of the best tasting fritters. Cuchifritos, alcapurrias, frituras, almojábanas, bacalaítos or buñuelos, they all taste divine and the prices are more than affordable. Try as many as you can, because you never know when you’ll be back …

Asopao

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One of the most traditional dishes in Puerto Rico, Asopao is a soup, a gumbo and a stew, all at the same time. Made with rice, chicken, pork, beef, seafood, vegetables, or any combination of the above, it’s an easy, hearty one-dish meal that will bring flavors to your palate. Meant for the weary travelers or the hungry Puerto Rican, most restaurants in Puerto Rico will serve you Asopao.

Arroz con Gandules

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Words have it that Arroz con Gandules is Puerto Rican’s national dish. The dish has rice and pigeon peas, pork, chorizo, red peppers and olives, all these seasoned with a secret sauce made from sofrito. The result is some sort of a Spanish paella that tastes divine.

Lechón

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Meat lovers will have a tough time resisting a succulent bite of roast suckling pig, which in Puerto Rico is called Lechón. A Hispanic-style cuisine, the delicacy is usually cooked during the fiestas (the festival season). Before the pig is placed on a large stick above the flaming charcoal, it’s also stuffed with a variety of herbs and vegetables (garlic, lemongrass, onions or ginger). The result? Tender meat and a dark brown, and crispy skin.

Mofongo

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The signature dish of Puerto Rico, Mofongo is probably the most popular entree that you’ll ever get to taste in there. African at origin, the tasty concoction is made from fried green plantains or fried yuca which is mashed and seasoned with garlic, olive oil and virtually unlimited choice of fillings from vegetarian to shrimp, steak, pork or seafood. Easy to prepare and available in every restaurant, Mofongo is the unofficial king of Puerto Rican cuisine.

Of course, after a week in Puerto Rico you may very well realize that your swimming suit doesn’t fit anymore, but your stomach will certainly be happy with the amazing feast.

Isn’t it?

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