Argentina Travel Planet

One of the best things about experiencing new countries is the cuisine, and Argentina is no different. While the Latin American country is known the world over for its exquisite beef, that is by no means the only thing it brings to the table, both figuratively and literally.

Argentinean beef

While it is true that Argentina has a wide variety of options to satiate your taste buds, the traditional Argentine food, called Criolla, cannot be ignored. And at the forefront of Criolla is the asado, or parrilla: a barbeque, or grill, that is loaded up with every cut and type of meat imaginable — from chorizo sausage, to morcilla (blood sausage), to kidneys, and every cut of beef you can think of, each more succulent and juicier than the last. Parrillas are by far the most common type of restaurant in Buenos Aires, and locals are known for their love of asados, on their terraces on a sunny afternoon.

Criolla goes much farther than meat, however. Stews and soups are very common, including carbonado, made with — you guessed it, beef! — fresh vegetables, and apples and peaches; cazuela gaucho, with chicken and pumpkin; and locro, with pork and sweet corn. Empanadas are also classic Argentine fare, and their tasty pastry shells can be found stuffed with everything from chicken to cheese and vegetables to, well, beef. Milanesas are nearly as common, made by breading a thin slice of chicken or beef — there are even soy versions — and then cooking it to perfection.

As a country that has received an immense amount of immigrants, and, consequently, a large amount of foreign influence, it is blessed with a diverse menu of options for any food lover. The most notable influence is Spanish and Italian, as pizza, pasta, churros, and variations of paella. Germans can proudly claim the prevalence of medialunas, or croissants, as well as chukrut. Yes, that would be sauerkraut. But just as the immigrants who brought those traditions to South America have changed, so have the dishes. It is a great mix of old and new, something that can only come from generations of evolution and enjoyment.

In Buenos Aires particularly, it is very easy to find cuisine from all over the world. As a cosmopolitan, diverse city, it would be hard not to find what it is you are looking for. Even with the typical Argentine aversion to hot spices, many ethnic restaurants offer spices to burn even the toughest foodie’s tongue.

Dessert generally consists of dulce de leche, similar to caramel, but made with more milk, and, well, anything. Sandwiched between the soft layers of an alfajor cookie, drizzled over a brownie, or as the base of a rich ice cream flavor, this Argentine treat is as ubiquitous as the hundreds of bakeries and ice cream shops around Buenos Aires.

Argentina has also been made famous by a couple of its different drinks. One of the most popular Argentina travel destinations, Mendoza, well known for its wines, that are savored all around the world, and Argentina is quick to keep some for itself; restaurants and supermarkets are full of a wide selection of delicious wines, at generally great prices. Along the lines of alcohol, Argentina has also made a name for itself with whiskey and gin. Its national beer is Quilmes, which is a fairly typical light, crisp beer, but there are also a variety of artisan breweries throughout the country.

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