Updated on December 22, 2023 by Lou Mac
Chilean food is relatively unknown – but it’s incredibly tasty!
It consists of mostly simple, but quality ingredients which they somehow turn into the most delicious meals.
If you can, eat this food at a Chilean person’s house! The food is almost always better when it’s home cooked.
But even if you can’t, here are 27 of the most traditional Chilean foods that you must add to your list for when you visit Chile.
1. Empanadas Chilenas
You’ve probably heard of empanadas before – these tasty little pastries are found all over Central and South America. But have you heard of the Chilean empanada?
Chilean empanadas are typically much larger than your average empanada and are baked in the oven. The most typical flavour is the empanada de pino, an empanada filled with ground beef, onion, spices, a single olive and a slice of boiled egg. Some come with raisins too, which are pretty polarising. I’m team raisin – I love the contrast of the sweet and salty!
Chilean empanadas can also be smaller and fried, and come with a ton of different fillings. You’ll find everything from seafood to cheese to vegetables!
2. Pebre
This zesty salsa is served alongside a lot of Chilean food but is especially delicious with longaniza (Chilean chorizo). If you’re lucky enough to attend a Chilean barbecue, you can’t miss having it with your choripán (longaniza + bread).
It’s made of finely diced tomatoes, white onion, coriander, lemon juice, salt and oil, and is a staple at any Chilean asado (barbecue). The onion is prepared by rinsing and/or soaking it in water, sometimes with sugar and salt, so that it loses some of its intensity and can be eaten raw. Preparing onions like this has been a game-changer for me!
Pebre is pretty similar to the well-known Mexican salsa pico de gallo, however it’s uniquely Chilean.
3. Humitas
Humitas are another dish eaten all over South America, and if you’re lucky enough to visit Chile when corn is in season, you’re in for a treat!
They’re a mix of freshly grated corn, spices and sometimes onion, which is wrapped in corn husks and steamed or boiled.
They’re usually eaten with fresh tomato and sometimes a sprinkle of sugar on top – the absolute Chilean comfort food!
4. Sopaipillas
Sopaipillas embodies the essence of Chilean food and are a must-try! If you can get them, these are best when they’re homemade.
This deep-fried dough has a crispy exterior that gives way to a soft interior, and is enjoyed with both savoury or sweet toppings.
It’s commonly paired with pebre, tomato, cheese or mashed avocado, as well as manjar (commonly known as dulce de leche) and jam.
5. Pastel de choclo
Pastel de choclo combines freshly ground corn with a medley of meats (usually ground beef or chicken, and sometimes a mixture), onion, olives, and hard-boiled eggs, all baked to golden perfection.
It’s an absolutely classic dish you cannot miss if you’re visiting Chile when corn is in season (and even when it’s not, it’s still probably worth trying).
6. Pastel de Papa
Similar to a Shephard’s pie, this Chilean dish consists of tender mashed potato with seasoned ground meat and other ingredients (depending on who’s making it!)
It’s baked until the top is beautifully golden, and speaks to Chile’s knack for creating deeply satisfying (yet simple) comfort food.
7. Completos
Chile’s answer to the hot dog, completos don’t seem particularly unique at first glance – but they absolutely are!
Laden with toppings like sauerkraut, mayonnaise (a very generous amount!), tomatoes, and avocado, these creations redefine the idea of a hot dog.
They’re not all made equal, though: some places make them better than others, so I’d recommend trying as many as you can so you can really get the feel for them (you’re welcome 😉)
If you’re up for it, you can even try making them yourself. Don’t be afraid, this classic completo italiano is very simple!
8. Curanto
Curanto is more than just a meal; it feels like a feast!
It’s a mix of delicious foods like clams, mussels, chicken, longaniza, pork and potatoes that are boiled in individual bags and served in a bowl with some of the stock it creates.
If you’re into seafood, you’ll definitely have fun with this one.
9. Pollo Arvejado
This dish consists of tender chicken simmered with peas. It’s served with rice or potatoes and is another example of delicious home-cooked Chilean food.
I seriously don’t know how Chileans can turn such simple ingredients into such flavourful dishes! Maybe I’ll never know.
10. Cazuela
I think all countries have some form of a simple broth with veges and meat, and cazuela is the Chilean version. It consists of meat such as chicken or beef, vegetables like potato, carrot and corn, topped with coriander.
A pot of cazuela is such a wholesome, comforting dish, especially in the winter. And once again, if you can get a Chilean mum to make it for you, even better!
11. Chorrillana
Chorrillana is another hearty Chilean dish that’s perfect for sharing.
It starts with a bed of fries that are topped with ingredients like sautéed beef, chicken, pork and/or longaniza, onion, capsicum and fried eggs. It’s often eaten at bars and pairs perfectly with a beer (or two).
Chorrillana is a mishmash that embodies Chile’s appreciation for bold comfort food. And it’s every bit as delicious as it sounds!
12. Choripán
Unless you’re a vegan/vegetarian, you can’t go wrong with choripán: a warm bread roll with juicy longaniza fresh off the charcoal grill.
It’s usually served at the beginning of asados to whet your appetite and keep you going until the main event (the meat) is ready.
Choripán is best served with pebre, but is also delicious just on its own!
13. Pantrucas
I think pantrucas (also called pancutras) is my all-time favourite Chilean food. And that’s a pretty bold claim!
It’s hard to describe, but the dish is a delicious stew with vegetables and meat to which chunks of dough are added. These cook into something that kind of resembles pasta or noodles, and makes the stew thicker.
It seriously cures the soul on a cold winter’s day in the South.
14. Ensalada Chilena
Honestly, this salad (which translates to “Chilean salad”) doesn’t really sound like much.
It only consists of white onion, tomato, coriander, oil and salt, but oh boy, it will surprise you!
Its deliciousness lies in the preparation: The onion is soaked and rinsed, similar to what I described above with the pebre, so you’re able to eat it raw. The combination of the zingy onion, the slight sweetness of the tomatoes, the smoothness of the oil and the tastiness of the coriander and salt makes for an incredible combination.
Again, I think this dish is best to try at a Chilean person’s house. I ordered ensalada chilena at a restaurant once to show a friend who was visiting, and we were sorely disappointed.
15. Huevos Revueltos
Huevos revueltos are a breakfast classic around the world: scrambled eggs!
You might object and say that scrambled eggs aren’t Chilean, but the Chilean people really do have a unique way of doing them.
They crack raw eggs into a pan and stir and cook only the egg whites to begin with. Once the egg whites are all cooked, they begin breaking the yolks: the result is a delicious scramble that’s creamy and not overcooked (it’s honestly the worst when your scrambled eggs are overdone).
They’re eaten with fresh bread and often cheese, avocado, ham and/or tomato for breakfast.
16. Guatitas
Guatitas translates to “tiny stomachs,” and yes, it translates this way for a reason. It’s a hearty stew made of tripe and spices, and it has an extremely unique and intense flavour.
To be honest these get a big “no thanks” from me, but they’re loved by many a Chilean.
And before you ask, yes, I have actually tried them! I was (lovingly) pressured into it by a friend of mine.
They’re definitely not for everyone, but you should at least give them a go!
17. Chupe de Jaiba
Okay so I’ve already said that pantrucas is my favourite Chilean dish, but chupe de jaiba has to be a very very close second.
This creamy crab dish pays homage to Chile’s connection to the ocean, and is best eaten along the coast. If you’re ever near Valdivia, it’s worth a trip to Niebla to eat at the feria there.
Even my sister, who is famously not a fan of seafood, loved this dish!
18. Salchipapa
Another street food creation, salchipapa is a playful dish of fries and chopped sausage.
The simple fusion is often enjoyed as a snack or quick meal, often in bars or at street food stands.
I wouldn’t search high and low just to find this, but it’s definitely a nice little treat when it’s available!
19. Charquicán
I need to stop describing everything as comfort food, but this really is comfort food!
It’s a straightforward yet delicious mash up of ground beef, potatoes, pumpkin, onion, peas and spices, topped with a fried egg.
What more could you want?
20. Porotos con Longaniza
Now I’ll admit that this isn’t the most handsome of dishes, but it’s another hearty Chilean favourite.
This dish marries the smoky goodness of longaniza with beans (called porotos in Chile) and often bits of pasta. The result is a flavorful (and comforting, if I can say that again?!) blend that resonates with Chile’s culinary heritage.
21. Torta de Tres Leches
Now we’re venturing into the sweets!
I never expected Chile to have such delicious cakes, but they really do, and torta de tres leches (three-milk cake) is very popular there.
This cake is soaked in a trio of milks (usually evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream), resulting in a luscious, moist dessert.
22. Calzones Rotos
Interestingly, this sweet treat translates to “broken underwear” – and I think most Chileans would have a hard time telling you why!
They’re like fried dough, crispy and slightly sweet, topped with icing sugar.
Best paired with a cup of tea or coffee 👌
23. Alfajores Chilenos
The most well-known alfajores come from Argentina, but Chile has their own version!
They’re two thin biscuits that are joined with a thicc layer of manjar (usually known as dulce de leche).
Again, best paired with a nice cup of tea or coffee to balance out the sweetness.
24. Terremotos
Terremoto means “earthquake” in Spanish, and you’ll realise why once you’ve had a few of them.
It’s an alcoholic drink that certainly shakes up your taste buds: a mix of pipeño (a sweet wine), pineapple ice cream, and grenadine, it’s a playful creation but is incredibly sweet. They can also be deadly, as you don’t really notice how much the alcohol affects you until you stand up!
Terremotos are mostly only drunk around the Fiestas Patrias celebrations, and a lot of Chileans I know have actually confessed to not liking them – they just drink them for the spirit of the celebration!
Still, they’re definitely worth a try, so if you see them on the menu in a bar it’s worth ordering. Maybe just one to share!
25. Mote con Huesillo
This is one of the stranger items on the list, and I still remember feeling very confused when I saw it.
It’s like a drink, but it’s not just a drink! It’s a combination of husked wheat in a delicious peach juice with a single dried peach. It’s served cold and honestly, it does look a little strange. But don’t let that stop you from trying it!
It’s a great refreshing snack/drink in summer, though it’s enjoyed all year round.
26. Pisco Sour
You may have heard of pisco sour before, and you may have heard that it originated in Peru.
While I’m not here to debate whether Chile or Peru is the true creator of pisco (though I’m biased so I’m actually going to say that it was the Chileans), I am here to tell you that you need to try this cocktail!
It’s iconic in Chile: a stunning blend of pisco, lemon juice and a simple sugar syrup. It’s often blended with ice and is perfect for both casual evenings and special occasions.
27. Piscola
We’re going to finish strong with the piscola.
You might be able to guess what it is: a drink made with pisco and Coca Cola (and a decent amount of ice!).
It’s something that gets better the more you drink it. At first I couldn’t really tell the difference between a piscola and a rum and coke, but now I could smell a piscola a mile off (and I’d run to it).
It’s incredibly common, so if you’re hanging out with Chileans in Chile, you wouldn’t be able to avoid this drink even if you tried!
And there you have it, 27 things you absolutely must try when you visit Chile (and if you’re about to visit Chile, you might be interested in this article here).
But even if you can’t visit, you can still make this stuff at home.
¡Buen provecho!