country Essentials · 10 foods
Panama Essentials
A considered first route through Panama: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Panama foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
10 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Colombia
Sancocho
Chicken and ñame/root-vegetable stew, a central Panamanian home-cooking staple.
Panama
Ceviche Panameño
Panamanian ceviche, commonly corvina or shrimp cured in lime with onion, cilantro and hot pepper, served in a cup.
Colombia
Tostones
Patacones
Twice-fried green-plantain rounds, a Panamanian accompaniment and street-food staple.
Panama
Carimañolas
Fried yuca and meat pastry, golden and savory street food.
Colombia
Arroz con Coco
Caribbean-style coconut rice served with fish and coastal meals.
Panama
Ron Abuelo
Panamanian packaged rum from the Ron Abuelo distillery.
Panama
Tamales Panameños
Tamales
Banana-leaf-wrapped Panamanian tamal of seasoned corn dough with meat and olives.
Panama
Bollos
Corn dough steamed/boiled in leaves, a Panamanian breakfast and festive staple.
Cuba
Ropa Vieja
Shredded beef in tomato-pepper sauce, a long-established Panamanian serving of a wider Caribbean dish.
Panama
Ensalada de Feria
Creamy Panamanian potato salad with beets, carrots, peas and mayonnaise, served at celebrations.