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15 Traditional Panamanian Dishes to Try
A guide to traditional Panamanian food: sancocho, ropa vieja, patacones, hojaldra and more — what to eat, where to find it, and what it costs.
Traditional Panamanian Food
Panamanian cuisine is a crossroads — Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences on a base of rice, corn, plantain, and fresh seafood. It's comforting, hearty, and cheap if you eat where locals eat (a fonda lunch runs 6). Here are the dishes that define the country.
The Essential Dishes
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Sancocho | The national soul-food: chicken soup with ñame (yam), culantro, and corn. The unofficial national dish. |
| Ropa vieja | Shredded beef slow-cooked in tomato and peppers, served with rice. |
| Arroz con pollo | Panamanian-style chicken and rice, a family staple. |
| Patacones | Twice-fried green plantain slices — the universal side. |
| Hojaldra / hojaldre | Fried dough, the classic breakfast with coffee. |
| Tortilla de maíz | Thick fried corn cake (not the Mexican kind), breakfast favorite. |
| Carimañola | Yuca fritter stuffed with seasoned meat. |
| Tamal panameño | Corn masa with chicken or pork, wrapped and steamed. |
| Ceviche | Fresh corvina or shrimp cured in lime — best at Panama City's Mercado de Mariscos. |
| Pescado frito | Whole fried fish with patacones, the beach classic. |
Breakfast Like a Panamanian
A typical desayuno típico: hojaldra or tortilla de maíz with fried eggs, queso blanco, and salchicha, washed down with strong Panamanian coffee (Boquete grows some of the world's best). Costs about 5 at a local spot.
Street Food & Snacks
- Empanadas — fried turnovers with meat or cheese.
- Raspao — shaved ice with syrup and condensed milk, the classic street treat.
- Chicheme — sweet corn-and-milk drink.
- Pifá (pixbae) — boiled peach palm fruit sold on street corners in season.
Drinks
- Seco Herrerano — Panama's national sugarcane spirit; try a seco con leche.
- Panamanian rum — excellent and affordable.
- Chicha — fresh fruit drinks (tamarindo, maracuyá, pineapple).
Where to Eat It
- Fondas — local cafeterias with daily home-style plates, the best value.
- Mercado de Mariscos (Panama City) — the seafood market for ceviche and fried fish.
- Casco Viejo — modern Panamanian fine dining; see Casco Viejo and our restaurant guide.
- Interior towns — the most authentic countryside cooking.
For more on dining costs and where to shop for ingredients, see the cost of living guide and shopping in Panama.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Panama?
Sancocho, a hearty chicken soup with ñame (yam), corn, and culantro, is considered Panama's national dish.
What do Panamanians eat for breakfast?
A typical breakfast is hojaldra (fried dough) or tortilla de maíz with eggs, white cheese, and sausage, plus strong local coffee.
What are patacones?
Twice-fried slices of green plantain, crispy and salted — the most common side dish in Panama.
Is Panamanian food spicy?
Generally no. Panamanian cooking is savory rather than spicy; hot sauce (picante) is served on the side if you want heat.
How much does a traditional meal cost in Panama?
A full plate at a local fonda typically costs 6, making traditional food one of the best values in the country.
Sources & Notes
A practical overview of Panamanian cuisine for visitors and new residents, 2026.
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