First Time Trying COLOMBIAN FOOD in Melbourne | Bandeja Paisa, Arepa, Empanada 🇨🇴

chicharrón

🥗Healthier: grilled chicken

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Grilled chicken provides leaner protein while pork belly is more affordable.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

avocado

🥗Healthier: smashed peas

💰Cheaper: sliced cucumbers

Smashed peas provide creaminess with fewer calories, while cucumbers are budget-friendly.

arepas

🥗Healthier: quinoa cakes

💰Cheaper: polenta

Quinoa cakes are nutritious, while polenta is a cost-effective alternative.

Visit Santomani Cafe to try Colombian food.

Order Colombian hot chocolate and agua panela.

Describe Colombian hot chocolate as using a block of chocolate melted in a jug, served with cheese.

Put cheese inside the hot chocolate and wait for it to melt.

Describe agua panela as a sugar cane drink served with cheese, noting its floaty appearance.

Taste the hot chocolate, noting flavors of popcorn and cloves with melted cheese.

Taste agua panela, commenting on its sweetness and pairing with salty cheese.

Try pandey bono, breaking it apart to reveal cheesy dough, describing it as heavy and chewy like mochi.

Taste the chicken ahiyako soup, noting its creamy texture and ingredients like corn and potatoes.

Mention the avocado and express confusion about how to use it with the soup.

Describe the Colombian arepa as a thick corn pancake topped with mozzarella cheese, noting its corn fritter taste.

Visit Club Columbia restaurant to try more Colombian food.

Order empanadas, one beef and potato and one veggie with corn and cheese.

Taste the beef empanada, noting strong cumin flavor and crispy exterior.

Taste the vegetarian empanada, commenting on the balance of flavors and cheese.

Describe bandeja paisa as a high-carb, high-protein meal with nine ingredients including beans, chicharron, chorizo, fried egg, ground beef, rice, avocado, arepa, and plantain.

Taste the ground beef with rice and baked beans, noting familiarity with flavors.

Taste the chorizo, commenting on its flavor and texture.

Taste the crispy chicharron, expressing enjoyment of the dish.

Mix the arepa with egg yolk and beans, discussing portion size and sharing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary