As promised we have got around to lots of cafe's to further investigate what the food is like here in Bolivia. One famous dish that originated from the city of Cochabamba is Piqué a lo Macho, chopped beef and sausage and fried potatoes, topped with onions, tomatoes and chillies. We tried a couple of these and while we enjoyed them (of course with the obligatory local beer) we thought the kitchens of Bolivia are a little heavy handed with the salt! But otherwise it was a great and extremely filling meal.
Another popular Bolivian meal is Pacumutu, chunks of beef & vegetables grilled on skewers, we found a little local steak place around the corner from our hotel in Sucre where we tried this for less then $3 (main picture below). We enjoyed it so much we went back then next night to try their rump and filet steak.
On our arrival to Sucre a lot of places were shut due to the final day of carnival, which also meant as we walked the streets searching for lunch we were getting bombarded with water bombs from passing cars. As we walked down the street we started to smell this amazing meat cooking and as we passed this small door realised it was coming from inside this tiny restaurant - so to hush our rumbling stomachs and escape the water bombs we quickly ducked in. Well, what a great snap decision! The place only served fried (in chilli oil) sausages with salad and bread (with the chilli oil poured over it). One of the best meals so far and only $4 for both Ryan and I with 1L of soft drink.
And finally (and perhaps most importantly) is desert. Now Ryan doesn't eat much sweets, so convincing him to have desert is tough, but I have succeeded on a couple of occasions. Most places just serve chocolate cake or brownies, which are good but nothing particularly special. However, the frozen yogurt in / around Santa Cruz is amazing. Firstly you pick your yogurt flavor and then they crush in your 'toppings' - one of my favors was chocolate yogurt with Oreos - not overly sweet because its yogurt. Another great one was natural yogurt with mango!
We have now just left Sucre, which is not only the Constitutional capital of Bolivia but also the 'chocolate capital of Bolivia', as we found out when we arrived. It was definitely a delicious surprise, nipping into Para Ti and having gourmet chocolates (mint cream, coconut rough, chocolate coated coffee beans, dark chocolate) for $1 per 100g. We also when to the chocolatier's cafe and had the most amazing, rich hot chocolate for 90c. To tell you the truth - it was a bit sad to leave Sucre, but the gastronomical delights must go on.
- Louise -
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