South America is one of the most diverse and vibrant places on the planet. It’s home to some truly magnificent countries, all of which boast some quite delicious cuisines. So, if you’re planning a trip to South American anytime soon, then here are the top foods you have to try.

Empanadas

Over in Argentina, we have a type of pasty/pie that will make your mouth water. It’s a classic South American street food dish that consists of a crisp pastry and jampacked fillings. Typically, the locals go for ground beef and a mixture of veggies in their empanadas, but you can choose from a range of different options. There are vegetarian versions, spicy ones, and even a few sweeter options as well. Food stalls in markets all around Argentina will serve these all year round, so make sure you stop for a quick bite!

Feijoada

Brazil is home to a plethora of outrageous treats that will tantalize your taste buds and send your salivary glands into a frenzy. There are so many things to choose from, but you can’t visit the country without tasting feijoada. It’s a black bean stew with chunks of meat, and there are so many flavours in every mouthful. It’s almost like Brazil’s version of chilli, but the depth of flavour goes beyond all bounds. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, then you can get feijoada without any meat in, so everyone can enjoy this dish.

Ceviche

This is a seafood dish that’s found all throughout South American, but mainly in Peru and Ecuador. In most places, it features raw fish that’s seasoned with a marinade of lime juice and chilli. But, the recipe differs in Ecuador as the fish is cooked before it gets seasoned. It’s a cold dish, and the Ecuadorians serve it with fried plantain or some delicious popcorn. It’s one of the most popular foods in this country, and many people choose to gorge themselves on it after a tour in Ecuador’s rainforest and Galapagos. If you’re visiting Ecuador, then it should certainly be the number one food you look to try before you go back home.

Dulce de Leche

You might think you’ve tried dulce de leche before as a lot of restaurants serve it up as a dip for churros or other sweet treats. However, South America is the home of this thick, creamy, caramel type substance. It’s most popular in Uruguay, where you’ll find it in just about every dessert you see. Some locals have it with ice cream, others like to dip biscuits into it, but you can enjoy this by the spoonful on its own. Fair warning, you probably won’t be able to eat any other type of caramel ever again – it’s that good!

If you’re planning a trip to South America in the future, then make sure you get a mouthful of all four of these delicious treats. Or, if you want to go traveling but can’t think of what to do or where to go, then a food tour of this continent is a fantastic idea!