Typical Guatemala Food: What and where to eat?

Guatemalan cuisine is characterised by its ancient history and the fusion of indigenous, European, and African influences, resulting in a wide range of exquisite dishes that will delight all your senses. In this post, we’ll explore the basic ingredients of the Guatemalan diet, such as corn, squash, and beans, and the traditional culinary techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. And, of course, we’ve also prepared a list of typical Guatemalan dishes so you can have the complete experience.

Eating in Guatemala isn’t expensive; you can eat well for less than €15 in almost any restaurant. Keep in mind that tourist areas and cities will always be more expensive. And if you want to save even more, you can always eat at street stalls, where you’ll find the country’s most typical dishes, like tamales. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, be careful and avoid unlabelled drinks. If you enjoy good food, Guatemala is the perfect country for your next holiday, so take note and don’t leave anything on your plate.

What are the typical dishes of Guatemala?

1. Pepián, Guatemala’s National Dish

Pepián is considered the national dish of Guatemala, so you won’t have any trouble finding it in any restaurant, although locals generally reserve it for celebrations. It’s a thick and aromatic stew made with meat (chicken, beef, or pork), spices, sesame and pumpkin seeds, and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers, and chili peppers. It’s usually served with rice and tortillas.

2. Kak’ik, a dish from the Mayan tradition

In Guatemala, gastronomy is heavily influenced by Mayan cuisine, and a clear example is this spicy soup called Kak’ik. This deep red soup varies depending on the region, but the one ingredient that never changes is turkey. The soup is served with rice or small corn tamales.

3. Jocón, the Guatemalan Everyday Dish

Jocón is one of the most consumed dishes in Guatemala. It’s part of the country’s culture, so it’s essential that you try it to fully experience it. The main ingredient of the stew is chicken in jocón, which is cooked with green tomatoes and cilantro. The dish is always served with rice.

4. Red Tamales, Typical Guatemalan Dishes

Tamales, besides being one of the typical Guatemalan dishes, are a very widespread dish throughout Latin America. They are made from corn, which is used to make a dough that wraps different fillings such as beans, meat, or vegetables. They are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

Guatemalan tamales differ from others because they are moister and less spicy. They are a dish commonly eaten on the street, where you’ll find food stalls making them fresh. You can also try them with sweet fillings.

5. Chuchitos

Cuchitos are a dish very similar to tamales, with the difference that they are wrapped in corn husks instead of plantain leaves. The fillings can also be sweet or savoury, and they are usually eaten during the Christmas holidays.

6. Popusas, other typical Guatemalan dishes

Popusas are the equivalent of Venezuelan or Colombian arepas. It’s a flat corn dough cooked in a pan and filled with various ingredients, such as beans or cheese. Although not a traditional Guatemalan dish, it’s widely consumed. During your trip, you’ll find “Pupuserías,” street vendors who fill them with cabbage and tomato sauce.

7. Caldo de Res, One of Guatemala’s Best Typical Dishes

Beef Soup is one of Guatemala’s most common typical dishes. This stew is made with chunks of beef, bones, carrots, corn on the cob, potatoes, and yucca. It’s topped with cilantro and served with tortillas or rice. Each family has its own recipe and adds their preferred vegetables. It can be eaten as a main course or an appetiser.

8. Shucos, the quintessential Guatemalan sandwich

Shucos can be bought almost anywhere in Guatemala, but they are most commonly found at roadside stands. It’s a sandwich with avocado, cabbage, and sausages such as longaniza, chorizo, or other cured meats. It’s not a gourmet meal, but it’s quick and cheap.

9. Hilachas

Hilachas are a stew made with shredded meat served in a tomato and chili sauce and accompanied by white rice and tortillas. People in Guatemala frequently eat hilachas, as they provide a well-balanced and nutritious diet.

10. Fiambre on November 1st

It is eaten on All Saints’ Day and is a whole family ritual.

Fiambre is a large cold salad with vegetables, pickles, cheeses, and a selection of cured meats and sausages, dressed with a broth/sauce prepared the day before to develop its flavour. There are “red” and “white” versions, and every household is proud of its own. If you visit Guatemala during this time of year, it’s the dish that best represents a Guatemalan festive table.

11. Guatemalan Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are tortillas filled with shredded chicken and cheese, which are folded, dipped in egg, and fried. They are then covered in tomato sauce and baked. They are eaten hot with salad.

12. Subanik

Originating from the highlands, subanik combines three meats (usually chicken, beef, and pork) with chilies and spices, and is steamed wrapped in leaves (maxán or banana). The result is a thick, fragrant, and very homey sauce, served with rice and small white tamales. It is less well-known than pepián or kak’ik, but just as emblematic, ideal for understanding traditional indigenous cuisine.

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What are the typical sweet dishes of Guatemala?

1. Manjar de Leche

This is a common dessert in Guatemalan families because it has a wide variety of flavours and is easy to make. The milk is mixed with sugar and thickened with cornflour. It is usually decorated with vanilla and raisins, although it can also be found in other flavours. It is served in small cups.

2. Rellenitos

Rellenitos are small fried plantain dough balls filled with beans. They are sometimes served with cream or shredded coconut. It’s a very interesting combination of sweet and savoury. It’s one of the most common desserts, and you usually buy them at fairs, markets, or street stalls.

3. Tamarind Balls

Tamarind balls are a common sweet treat at Guatemalan patron saint festivals. They are made with the fruit pulp mixed with sugar and food colouring, resulting in small, colourful truffles. Tamarind has a sweet and tangy flavour. It’s a truly unique dessert.

4. Plantain Mole

Plantains in mole sauce are also a common dessert in Mexico and Honduras. It’s a simple, though somewhat dense, dessert. It consists of large chunks of fried plantain, cooked and coated in mole sauce (made with cocoa and spices) and sprinkled with sugar.

5. Rice Pudding, one of the most typical dishes of Guatemala

Rice pudding is the typical dessert made with family on rainy days. It’s a very simple dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar, cooked until it forms a dough. Lime, shredded coconut, or cinnamon can be added according to personal taste.

What are the typical drinks of Guatemala?

1. Fruit broth

This drink is made with aguardiente, water, fruit, and sugar. It’s typical of the Quetzaltenango region and a favourite among tourists because it’s sweet and refreshing. You’re sure to love it.

2. Corn Atol

Corn atol is a delicious traditional Guatemalan drink made from tender corn. It’s a creamy and comforting beverage that’s enjoyed at breakfast, as a snack, and during harvest season.

To prepare corn atol, tender corn kernels are ground with water to obtain a thick, smooth dough. The dough is then strained for a finer consistency. This dough is cooked over low heat with milk, sugar, cinnamon and other flavors such as vanilla.

3. Cusha

Cusha is a highly alcoholic beverage made from fermented fruit. It is usually made by hand, so it is common to find it unlabelled in recycled plastic bottles. Be cautious because of its high alcohol content and the lack of information about its origin.

4. Boj, a sugarcane drink

This traditional Guatemalan drink, typical of the Huehuetenango region, is a type of atol made from cacao beans and corn. Boj is appreciated for its distinctive cacao flavour and smooth texture. It is often served hot and enjoyed in the morning or as a comforting drink on cold days.

5. Suchiles Refreshment

Suchiles Refreshment is a traditional Guatemalan beverage from the Totonicapán region, made from a plant known as “suchiles,” also called “xuchiles” or “May flower.” They are edible flowers that grow on the plant of the same name. They have a unique, slightly acidic flavour. To prepare suchiles soda, collectors gather and carefully wash the flowers.

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Learn more about your next destination, Guatemala:

• What to see and do in Semuc Champey
• Tikal Guatemala – Tips for visiting the Mayan archaeological treasure
• Ipala Volcano: everything you need to know about this marvel
• Playa Blanca Guatemala: how to get there and what to see

Frequently Asked Questions about Typical Guatemalan Dishes

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Key entities: Passporter + Typical Guatemalan Dishes: What and Where to Eat? + Guatemalan Food Guide: typical dishes (pepian, kak’ik, jocón, fiambre), traditional sweets—including rice pudding—and drinks (atol, hibiscus tea, coffee). Includes how to plan your route to try them and a final FAQ section.

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