16 Traditional Salvadoran Foods

Amidst the extravagant Central American palettes, the cuisine

of El Salvador is unique in the way it has accepted
unmistakable influences from the Spanish and Native
American cuisines as well as the domestic Lenca, Maya and
Pipil traditions. Maize, corn, and flour are the main
carbohydrates; while an extensive array of meat like beef,
pork, chicken, and seafood are also consumed.

1. Pupusas – The Salvadorian national dish

What is it: Hand-made corn tortillas stuffed with various
fillings such as beans, loroco (a local edible flower), pork
and cheese. It is topped with homemade tomato sauce and
served with sour cabbage salad.
What does it taste like: The corn dough has a slight
sweet taste which is balanced by the pork or the cheese
filling that adds a meaty aroma.

2. Sopa de Pata – A popular soup

What is it: This traditional soup is made from tripe, cow’s
feet, yuca, corn, plantains, beans tomatoes, and cabbage
cooked with lemon juice and cilantro.
What does it taste like: A heart dish which is a treat for
tripe lovers as the vegetables and lemon juice adds the
perfect zest to this lunch meal.
3. Tamales – An authentic
Salvadoran food
What is it: Corn dough pockets that are served with
different fillings like sweet corn, cheese, meat or dried
fruits. These are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
What does it taste like: Mostly depends on the filling as the
spicy meat filling can be super savory, the cheese mixture
can give a creamy texture, and sweet corn and dried fruit
fillings make sinful desserts.
4. Pasteles – Their patties
What is it: Fried dough patties filled with meat like
chicken, pork or beef and finely chopped vegetables.
What does it taste like: A bite will lead you through the
crusty top to the delicately cooked filling that is a havoc of
native spices.

5. Panes Rellenos – El Salvador’s sandwich

What is it: A submarine sandwich containing either
chicken or turkey that is roasted with pipil spices and
served with tomatoes, cucumbers or lettuce.
What does it taste like: A popular finger food, this dish
has fulfilling yet light and complemented with tender
cooked meat.

6. Yuca Frita – French fries from

El Salvador
What is it: This side dish is made by cutting the
starchy cassava into wedge-like shapes and then frying
them.
What does it taste like: It has a firm, chewy texture
and a light sweet grainy taste.

7. Pan Con Chumpe – A typical Salvadoran sandwich

What is it: A spicy sandwich which is made by baking and
marinating a turkey in a unique tomato sauce. It is garnished
with cucumber, radish, and watercress.
What does it taste like: The turkey melts into your mouth as
you bite into this healthy snack. Savory would be an
understatement!
8. Empanadas de Leche – The sweet breakfast
What is it: Ground plantain is shaped into small oval balls and
stuffed with vanilla custard. While serving, sugar is sprinkled on
top.
What does it taste like: It has a heavenly taste and can be
enjoyed as a morning meal or just about any time.
9. Quesadilla Salvadorena – The
traditional coffee
cake
What is it: It is a delicious dessert cake made with
queso fresco cheese, butter, eggs, milk, and flour.
What does it taste like: With a texture and flavor like the
pound cake, this morning snack has an aroma and flavor that will make all you senses come
alive.
10. Ensalada – El Salvador’s authentic drink
What is it: This is a fruit drink which is made with chopped fruits like
fresh pineapple, mango, orange and mixed with pineapple juice, lemon
juice, and water.
What does it taste like: A refreshing drink in which the finely chopped
fruits tease your taste buds as the mixed juice soothes your mind.
11. Yuca con Chicharron – A favorite
appetizer
What is it: Imagine fried pork served along with delicately
fried cassava roots (yuca), seasoned with lemons and served
with the sour salad, curtido.
What does it taste like: The cushy texture of the yuca
complements the mild coarseness of the fried pork. Squeeze
a bit of lemon juice and you’ll never be able to forget this
dish!
12. Sopa de Pescado – The Good Friday soup
What is it: Savored during Good Friday, this soup is
made with fish or any other seafood cooked with
tomatoes, green peppers, cumin, corn flour and
achiote.
What does it taste like:  A fulfilling soup that has a
spicy flavor and can be consumed during lunch or
dinner.
13. Sopa de Res – An authentic
lunch soup
What is it: A soup for all seasons which is made by
cooking large chunks of beef with corn, carrot,
cabbage, and zucchini.
What does it taste like: It has a thick, wholesome
soup that is often consumed with a serving of white
rice.The rawness of the vegetables perfectly blends
with the aroma of the beef.

14. Platanos con Crema y Frijoles –

A typical Salvadoran breakfast
What is it: This is a typical Salvadoran weekend breakfast
that consists of pan-fried plantains and ground beans served
with sour cream. If you order scrambled eggs and tortillas
with it, you are having another dish called plato tipico.
What does it taste like: The plantains are sweet while the
beans are cooked with a spicy extravagance; dip this fantastic combination in the sour cream and
you’ll be licking your fingers!
15. Sopa de Siete Mares
What is it: A perfect seafood soup that can be made
with fish, crab, squid, clams, lobster, shrimp and  lots
of vegetables like tomatoes, onion and cilantro.
What does it taste like: It is a sumptuous and
wholehearted soup. If you love a little tang, squeeze
some lemons on it.
16. Tres Leches Cake – Three-milk dessert
What is it: A traditional cake that is made with three
types of milk- condensed milk, evaporated milk,
cream or whole milk and served cold.
What does it taste like: A dense, layered and
spongy cake with the whipped cream on top sealing
the sinful deal!
El Salvador, in spite of being one of the smallest
countries of Central America, is one that is densely
populated, having a cuisine that is as variegated as
extravagant. We loved these foods from the Native American country, you are free to disagree
and explore more options!