Typical Daily Meals#

Eating in Bogotá, like in much of Colombia, is a big deal, and lunch is usually the most important meal.

• Breakfast (Desayuno): This can be simple or quite hearty. Many people start with coffee or hot chocolate. Food might be ‘arepa’ (a corn patty) with butter, cheese, or eggs. Sometimes it’s a heavier option like ‘calentao’ (leftover rice and beans mixed and heated up, often with an egg or meat), or ‘changua’, a comforting soup made with milk, eggs, and cilantro, often eaten with stale bread that you dip in. For those on the go, a quick ‘pandebono’ or ‘buñuelo’ from a bakery might do the trick.
• Lunch (Almuerzo): This is the main event. For many workers and students, lunch means a ‘corrientazo’. This is a set menu at local restaurants that’s affordable and filling. It usually includes a soup (often light, like vegetable or a simple broth), a main plate with rice, a type of meat (chicken, beef, or pork), beans or lentils, a salad, and maybe a slice of plantain. It comes with a drink, usually fresh juice or ‘agua de panela’. Eating a big lunch helps people power through the afternoon.
• Dinner (Comida): Dinner is typically lighter than lunch. It might be soup, ‘arepas’ with something simple, or leftovers from lunch. It’s less common to have another full ‘corrientazo’-style meal at night. Families often gather for this meal if schedules allow.

Home Cooking vs. Street Food#

Most people in Bogotá eat home-cooked meals or ‘corrientazos’ during the week. Cooking at home is traditional and usually more economical for families in a city with a population of over 7.6 million people. You’ll find typical Colombian dishes cooked with fresh ingredients bought from local markets (‘plazas de mercado’) or supermarkets.

Street food is popular, but often more for snacks, quick bites, or late-night eats rather than a main daily meal for everyone. You’ll see vendors selling ‘empanadas’ (fried pastries filled with meat or potato), ‘arepas’ filled with cheese, ‘chuzos’ (grilled meat skewers), or ‘papa rellena’ (stuffed potato balls). It’s convenient and delicious, especially after work or on weekends.

Common Ingredients and Flavors#

Bogotá cuisine relies on classic Colombian staples. You’ll see a lot of:

• Potatoes: Many varieties! Small yellow potatoes (‘papa criolla’) are particularly loved.
• Corn: Used to make ‘arepas’ and ‘mazorca’ (corn on the cob).
• Plantains: Both green (savory) and ripe (sweet) versions are common.
• Rice and Beans/Lentils: Found on almost every lunch plate.
• Meats: Chicken, beef, and pork are very common.
• Aromatics: Onion and garlic are the base for many dishes.
• Herbs: Cilantro is widely used. ‘Guasca’ is a specific herb essential for Ajiaco.
• Flavor Base: A simple ‘hogao’ (a sauce of onion and tomato) is fundamental for many stews and bases. ‘Ají’ (a type of chili sauce) is often served on the side for those who like spice, but Colombian food isn’t generally super spicy.

Weekend and Special Dishes#

Some of the most famous Colombian dishes, particularly those associated with the region around Bogotá, are often saved for weekends or special family gatherings because they take more time and effort.

• Ajiaco Santafereño: This is the soup of Bogotá. It’s a thick, comforting chicken and potato soup using three types of potatoes (including ‘papa criolla’), corn on the cob, and the crucial ‘guascas’ herb. It’s typically served with a side of rice, avocado, capers, and a dollop of cream. Eating Ajiaco on a chilly Bogotá afternoon is a classic experience.
• Bandeja Paisa: While originally from the Antioquia region, this massive platter is available everywhere in Bogotá and is a popular weekend feast. It’s not a daily meal! It includes rice, beans, ground beef, chorizo, chicharrón (pork belly), fried egg, avocado, and a sweet plantain slice.
• Lechona: Roasted whole pig stuffed with rice, peas, and spices. This is definitely for celebrations or large family meals, not typical daily food. You might find portions sold in certain areas or markets, often enjoyed on a weekend outing.

Popular Snacks and Drinks#

Bogotanos have a mealtime called ‘onces’ (elevenses or afternoon tea), which happens around 4-5 PM. It’s a mini-meal with coffee or hot chocolate and baked goods or bread with cheese.

• Baked Goods: ‘Pandebono’, ‘almojábana’, ‘buñuelos’, ‘pan de queso’, ‘roscones’ (sweet bread rings) are all popular snacks.
• Empanadas: As mentioned, these are everywhere and perfect for a quick savory snack.
• Fruit Juices: Colombia has amazing fresh fruit, so natural juices (lulo, passion fruit, guava, mango, blackberry) are very common with meals or as snacks.
• Agua de Panela: A drink made from dissolved raw cane sugar blocks, served hot or cold, sometimes with lime. Very traditional and comforting.
• Coffee: Of course! While Colombia exports famous coffee, many locals drink ‘tinto’ (black coffee, often with sugar) throughout the day.
• Chocolate Santafereño: Hot chocolate served with a slice of cheese inside that melts – a very Bogota thing, often part of ‘onces’.

Food Culture Notes#

While there aren’t strict food taboos like avoiding certain meats for religious reasons for the majority of the population, there are cultural norms:

• Rice is Key: Rice is a staple and expected with most savory main meals, especially lunch.
• Soup to Start: Lunch often begins with a soup. It warms you up in Bogotá’s cool climate.
• Sobremesa: Lingering at the table after a meal to talk is common, especially during family meals or long lunches. It’s about the social connection as much as the food.
• No Wasting Food: There’s a general cultural value placed on finishing your plate and not wasting food.
• Specific Pairings: Certain foods are often paired together, like hot chocolate with cheese and bread, or Ajiaco with avocado and cream.

This gives you a better idea of what daily life on a plate looks like for the people living here in Bogotá, Colombia. Enjoy exploring the flavors!