Food and Drink Guide to Guatemala: Wetin to Eat and Drink

Why Guatemalan food dey surprise travelers

Guatemalan cooking dey mix Maya ingredients like corn, beans, squash and chiles with Spanish influences. Meals dey heavy, slow-cooked and dem dey build am around handmade tortillas. To chop well here dey cheap: full comedor lunch go cost about 25 to 40 quetzales (around 3 to 5 USD).

Signature dishes wey you go try

• Pepián di national dish, dark, smoky stew of chicken or beef wey dem thicken with toasted seeds and chiles, dem serve am with rice and tortillas.
• Kak'ik fiery turkey soup from Cobán, dem spice am with achiote and coriander, e deep Maya for origin.
• Jocon bright green chicken stew wey dem build on tomatillos, cilantro and green onion.
• Tamales dem wrap am for banana leaf, softer and richer pass Mexican versions, dem dey chop am on Saturdays and for Christmas.
• Hilachas shredded beef wey dem simmer for tomato and chile sauce.

Street food and snacks

• Tostadas crisp tortillas wey dem top with guacamole, salsa or black beans, dem sell am from cart for small quetzales.
• Rellenitos mashed plantain wey dem stuff with sweet black beans and fry am, dem dust sugar on top.
• Chuchitos small corn tamales with tomato sauce, na classic market snack.
• Elote loco grilled corn wey dem cover with mayo, ketchup, mustard and cheese.
• Garnachas small fried tortillas with mince, cheese and pickled onion.

Drinks wey worth order

• Guatemalan coffee na among di world best, especially from Antigua, Huehuetenango and Atitlan. Try am for local cafe instead of instant.
• Atol de elote warm, sweet corn drink wey dem sell from street stall; atol blanco na di savory version.
• Licuados fresh fruit wey dem blend with milk or water.
• Gallo di iconic national beer; Ron Zacapa na world-class aged rum.
• Rosa de Jamaica cold hibiscus tea.

Practical dining tips

• Comedor na small family eatery and na your best bet for original, cheap meals.
• Markets like Chichicastenango dey good for street eats; choose busy stalls wey dey turnover fast.
• Tipping around 10 percent dey appreciated; check if propina don already add.
• Drink bottled or purified water and ask for bebidas sin hielo if you no sure about ice.
• Lunch (almuerzo) na di main meal, dem typically serve am for midday.

Stay connected for Guatemala

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