Did you know that over 5 million travelers, from around the world, visit the Dominican Republic every year? It’s for a good reason! This island offers everything from beautiful blue waters and white sandy beaches to cold desert mountains.
The island's food also offers a variety of unique flavors, both local and with international twists. You can find crispy fried foods, fresh tropical fruit, and everything in between.
Here are 10 dishes you have to try on your next visit to the Dominican Republic...
1. Mofongo - An iconic Dominican dish, made with a mound of plantains mixed with deep-fried pork and garlic. It’s served with chicken broth and topped with beef, pork, or shrimp. The perfect meal for satisfying a big appetite!
2. Passion fruit - Fresh passion fruit, or ‘chinola’, is a staple in the Dominican. This tart fruit can be enjoyed on its own, made into fresh juice, or added to your favorite cocktail (we recommend adding it to a Dominican Rum cocktail!).
3. Mangú - A classic Dominican breakfast. It is made with green plantains, that are boiled and mashed, and served with eggs, fried salami, and fried cheese. A perfect, hearty, breakfast before a day of exploring the island!
4. Sancocho - It is often cooked for special occasions, but if it's on the menu, don't pass it up! It is a dense, flavorful stew with chicken, pork, beef, sausage, cassava, goat, yam, pumpkin, green plantains, and potatoes. It's usually served with rice and avocado.
5. Tostones - Similar to French fries, these mashed and fried, crispy green plantains, can be found at almost any food establishment in the Dominican.
6. Fresh fruit batidas - What’s better on a hot day than satisfying your sweet tooth with a milkshake? Fresh fruit batidas (or milkshakes) are made with fresh tropical fruit and evaporated milk. We recommend trying one with mangos, papayas, or bananas. Other popular flavors include pineapple and guava.
7. La Bandera Dominicana - Meaning 'Dominican flag', this dish consists of rice, stewed meat or chicken, red beans, salad, and tostones.
8. Pescado con Coco - Meaning 'coconut fish', this Afro-Caribbean dish is very popular in the northeast of the country. Seafood is abundant on the island, and fishermen bring in the freshest catches daily, so you can't go wrong with any type of fish offered on the menu.
9. Queso de hoja - This soft, creamy, artisanal cow’s milk cheese, is made in the Dominican Republic. While it looks like mozzarella, it has a unique taste and texture, and delicate layers that you peel away in sheets. It's typically eaten with crackers or flatbread and can be topped with cilantro, olive oil, or even sweet jams.
10. Goat meat - Goat meat, or ‘chivo’, is common in Dominican Republic’s mountainous region. It’s usually served in a stew, with a rich sauce and starchy root vegetables.
Ready to experience this flavorful island? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and the ELx Travel team can plan your trip to the Dominican Republic!