Essential Foods to Try in Puerto Rico

From pasteles to mofongo, these are the things you must eat when in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is not only known for its stunning beaches and upbeat music — we also incorporate that vibrant energy and color into our food. Much like our history, our cuisine is diverse: West Africa, the U.S., and indigenous Taino all come together at the Puerto Rican table. You can expect rice and pork from the Spaniards, plantains from West Africa, spam and Vienna sausages from the U.S., and yuca from our Taino ancestors.

Though there’s no shortage of delicious food to fuel up on while on the island, we put together a list of six traditional dishes and ingredients to savor on your next trip to Puerto Rico.

Gandules

Gandules (pigeon peas) are the protagonist in arroz con gandules, one of the best-known rice dishes in Puerto Rico. A classic side, arroz con gandules is typically served with lechón (roasted pork), and you can find it at almost any Puerto Rican restaurant. However, there are more creative ways to enjoy it. Gandules guisados (stewed pigeon peas) with green plantain dumplings, for example, is a countryside favorite. Risotto de gandules has also become a popular dish — found at Wilo Eatery & Bar in Guaynabo, this creamy rice topped with crispy chicharrones (pork rinds) is a must-try.

Pasteles

If you’re in Puerto Rico during the holidays, you’re in luck. Puerto Ricans love a good party, and our extended holiday season, beginning on Thanksgiving and ending in mid-January, is the perfect time to indulge. A quintessential holiday dish, pasteles are made with a masa of root vegetables and green bananas, filled with stewed meat, and wrapped in a banana leaf. Top it off with locally made hot sauce (a.k.a. pique) for that extra kick. For a taste of this dish year-round, head to Casa Vieja in Ciales and order their famous deconstructed pastel al caldero.

Ensalada de Pulpo

Being from the southern coast of Puerto Rico, I grew up on ensalada de pulpo (octopus salad). Chewy octopus with tart vinegar and a side of crispy tostones (fried plantains) is the perfect beachside treat. This refreshing dish, made with cooked octopus, onions, olives, olive oil, and vinegar, is a mainstay at every seafood restaurant on the island. One of my favorites can be found at El Dorado in Salinas.

Passion Fruit, Mango, and Papayas

With average temperatures hovering around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, Puerto Rico is a hotbed for tropical fruits — coconut, mango, papaya, guava, and passion fruit, to name a few. Moreover, these bold-flavored fruits often make their way onto the island’s menus. For a sweet treat, try the passion fruit pie at Lulo’s Sweet & Savory in Santurce. Additionally, in my hometown of Guayama, chef Angel David Moreno creates mango marmalade at his new restaurant, El Gallo Pinto.

Mofongo

No trip to Puerto Rico is complete without sampling mofongo, one of the destination’s most popular dishes. I appreciate the versatility of mofongo, as it can be served as a side or main dish, with options for both vegan and meat-lovers alike. Enjoy your mofongo with a view at Casa Bavaria, a German-Puerto Rican restaurant in the mountainous town of Morovis, where the Jägerschnitzel mofongo topped with creamy German-style pork and mushroom sauce is a favorite.

Tembleque

For those with a sweet tooth, add tembleque (coconut milk custard) to your list of must-try desserts. Upon arriving in Puerto Rico, I head straight to a panadería (bakery) to indulge in a medianoche sandwich and my treasured tembleque. This coconut dessert, usually topped with coconut flakes and cinnamon, is a popular offering at local bakeries like La Ceiba in San Juan.

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a travel content creator, founder of the popular foodie travel website The Dining Traveler, and the author of the coffee table book “The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico.” You can find her cooking videos on YouTube at The Dining Traveler Cooking Series.