Brazil doesn’t have a single national cuisine. Instead, there are numerous distinct regional ones. This is as a result of two things.
First up, the sheer size of the country. Brazil, the fifth largest in the world, spans several climates and landscapes. A different combination of meats, fish, fruits, vegetables and grains are harvested in each region.
Second, Brazil’s history is a story of immigration. As a result, the country has an extremely rich ethnic mix. The cuisines of the indigenous peoples, Portuguese colonialists and West African slaves have all fused to create uniquely Brazilian dishes.
Here are the 10 street foods, cooked dishes and desserts you really ought to try while out in Brazil for the World Cup (or Olympics in 2016!).
Feijoada
What is it?
This black bean stew filled with different pork meats is the closest thing Brazil has to a national dish. Traditionally it contains the less salubrious parts of a pig like its ears, tail and trotters, but most restaurant iterations feature bacon and smoked sausages. The meal traces back to the plantation slaves, who smuggled leftovers from their masters’ homes to make the stew. It’s served with sliced oranges, farofa (manioc), rice and shredded greens.
Where to try it?
All host cities
Moqueca de peixe
What is it?
Fish stew with onions, garlic and tomato.
Where to try it?
The southeast (Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo) and Bahia (Salvador)
Acarajé
What is it?
Small salted deep fried balls made with black-eyed peas and onion and fried in palm oil (dendê). Often served split in half and filled with the spicy freshly made condiment cararu.
Where to try it?
Salvador
Coxinha
What is it?
Golden fried chicken croquette shaped a bit like a chicken thigh.
Where to try it?
São Paulo
Gaucho rodizio
What is it?
A rodizio is an all-you-can-eat restaurant – waiters continually circulate around the dining room offering punters freshly cooked food. Many ridizios cook in the churrascaria (barbeque) style, where tenderly grilled cuts of beef are the prime choice.
Where to try it?
All host cities, in particular Porto Alegre (which is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s gaucho country).
Vatapá
What is it?
Afro-Brazilian shrimp curry from Bahia, with a sauce made from onions, coconut milk, peanuts and cashews that’s thickened with breadcrumbs.
Where to try it?
Salvador and Manaus
Pao de queijo
What is it?
Cheese bread roll – one of the most popular salgadinhos (small savoury snacks – literally translates as ‘salties’).
Where to try it?
All host cities, in particular Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
Quindim
What is it?
A ring-shaped custard dessert made with sugar, egg yolks and ground coconut.
Where to try it?
All host cities
Passion fruit mousse
What is it?
Light and sweet mousse made with passion fruit, condensed milk and creme de leite.
Where to try it?
All host cities
Açaí berry smoothie
What is it?
Tropical fruit from the Amazon.
Where to try it?
Manaus
Feature Image by || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
