---
title: 15 Traditional Panamanian Dishes to Try
url: https://www.allaboutpanamacity.com/guides/articles/traditional-panamanian-food
summary: A guide to traditional Panamanian food: sancocho, ropa vieja, patacones, hojaldra and more — what to eat, where to find it, and what it costs.
date: 2026-06-05
lastmod: 2026-06-05
tags: food-and-drinks, culture
language: en
---


## 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 $4–$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](/guides/articles/coffee-in-panama) (Boquete grows some of the world's best). Costs about $3–$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](/guides/articles/rum-in-panama)** — 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](/guides/articles/casco-viejo-panama) and our [restaurant guide](/guides/articles/restaurants-panama).
- **Interior towns** — the most authentic countryside cooking.

For more on dining costs and where to shop for ingredients, see the [cost of living guide](/guides/articles/cost-of-living-panama) and [shopping in Panama](/guides/articles/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 **$4–$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.