Learning Spanish opens up a delightful gateway to experiencing the rich culinary culture of Costa Rica firsthand. As you venture into local eateries, understanding the language allows you to navigate the menu and order with ease. A typical order might start with a friendly “Hola,” followed by a request such as “Me gustaría ordenar,” which means “I would like to order.” From there, dive into ordering classics like “Casado,” a wholesome meal combining rice, beans, plantains, and a choice of meat, or “Gallo Pinto,” a beloved breakfast dish blending rice and black beans. Exploring the language enriches your palate, letting you savor Costa Rican flavors in a more authentic and enjoyable manner.
arroz con pollo — rice with chicken
casado — a varied dish consisting of chicken, beef, pork or fish with rice, beans, salad, picadillo and sweet plantains
chifrijo — pork rind (chicharrón) with beans, rice, chimichurri and tortilla chips
chimichurri — a common dip for tortilla chips, typically made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, avocado, lime and salt
frijoles molidos — mashed beans, a popular dip
gallo pinto — rice and beans served for breakfast, often with eggs, tortillas, fruit and sour cream (natilla)
guacamole — mashed avocados with tomato, lime, salt and sometimes chili
natural — a fruit drink made with milk or water and blended pineapple, tamarind, watermelon, cantaloupe, banana, strawberry, blackberry or other fruits
olla de carne — beef stew with potatoes, corn, carrots and other vegetables
patacones — mashed, fried plantains
picadillo — chopped vegetables, which may include pumpkin, chayote (vegetable pear), potatoes, green plantains, arracache (a tuber), heart of palm, green papaya, garlic, onion, cilantro, bell pepper and/or celery, and may contain beef, pork, chicken or bacon
plátano maduro/maduro — sweet, fried plantain
rice and beans — Caribbean rice and beans, made with coconut milk
rondón — a Caribbean stew of seafood, vegetables, coconut milk and whatever the cook can “run down”
sopa de mondongo — tripe soup
tamales — tamales, a Christmas favorite made of corn meal filled with beef or pork and sometimes vegetables, wrapped in a plantain leaf
