1. Empanadas: These savory pastries are a must-try in this port city, filled with a delicious mix of meat, onions, olives, and hard-boiled eggs.
2. Pastel de Choclo: A traditional corn pie topped with ground beef, chicken, onions, and slices of hard-boiled egg – a comforting and hearty dish.
3. Cazuela: A flavorful stew made with meat (usually chicken or beef), potatoes, pumpkin, corn on the cob, rice, and seasoned with fresh herbs.
4. Curanto: A unique dish cooked underground using hot stones to create a mouthwatering mix of seafood such as clams, mussels, fish, sausage, potatoes, and vegetables.
5. Pebre: A spicy salsa made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro and chili peppers - perfect for adding an extra kick to your meal.
6. Caldillo de Congrio: A popular fish soup made with conger eel simmered in a broth of onions, carrots, potatoes and seasoned with paprika.
7. Machas a la Parmesana: Razor clams baked in their shells with Parmesan cheese – a decadent seafood treat that's sure to impress your taste buds.
8. Porotos Granados: A hearty bean stew cooked with squash or pumpkin and flavored with basil leaves for a touch of freshness.
9. Charquicán: A comforting stew made from dried beef jerky (charqui), mixed with potatoes, corn on the cob and other seasonal vegetables.
10. Sopaipillas: Fried dough typically served as a snack or dessert; these round discs are crispy on the outside yet soft inside - best enjoyed drizzled with honey or pebre sauce for an added burst of flavor.
Bon appétit!