As the bridge between two continents, Cuisine of Panama is another kind of melting pot reflected in the cuisines. With a wide variety of vegetables, tropical fruits and herbs used for cooking. Along with techniques, ingredients, dishes brought by its diverse population make the tastes of the cuisines unique.
The beginning
Back in 1501 when a Spanish explorer, Rodrigo Bastidas discovered Panama, they bring together with them a wave of African slaves. The influence of African slaves can be seen up until now, from the religion, architecture, language and also the cuisine. Today we know sausages, paella and tortilla they are a clear example of the heritage of cuisine in Panama.
Cuisine of Panama
Become one with Colombia in 1821, Panama was a part of Colombia for about eighty years. Then after Panama was discovered as an idea for a canal to be built that connects the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean, laborers from China and India came. Administered by French the laborers came to build the canal as well as railways.
Flavor fusion
Here is when the herbs and spices such as cinnamon and ginger were started to be used until today. They give the authentic flavor of the food that we can enjoy today. Influence of Afro-Antillean has brought coconut rice, fried and marinated fish, cod and fried plantains.
Under American administration, Panama for eighty years after that, and managed to gain independence as well as gained control of the management of the canal. During these times, foods from America like burgers hot dogs becoming parts of the eating habit of people in Panama. Surely, those foods are mixed with the elements that already existed and familiar with Panamanians.
With all of that history, comes the fusion cuisines of Panama that we know today from the country.
Cuisine of Panama
To be a culinary destination
With the base of local roots, various kinds of freshwater and saltwater fish, herbs and spices, as well as many ways to cook from the mixture of cultures, makes the cuisines are rich in taste. With the elements from different cultures from different parts of the world, the exotic fusion cuisines of Panama are born here. Unfortunately with all the facts and history of the culinary, Panama is not included in culinary capital such as Peru or Mexico.
Cuisine of Panama
By trying new combinations and mixtures in textures and flavors, many chefs are trying to put Panama in the spotlight with the uniqueness of the cuisine. They are to combine local ingredients with cultural heritage and foreign influences to create fusion cuisines of Panama that can best describe the country itself.
Popular restaurants in Panama
When you visit Panama, never miss this restaurant to taste the real Panama. They are Tantalo, Cafe Coca Cola and Tio Navaja. While Tantalo is more of a restaurant with elegant feeling with its food presentation, Tio Navaja serves you some local and authentic menus such as pork with spinach and ginger or fish cooked in plantain leaves. Now Cafe Coca Cola as one of the first diner existed in Panama, serving Panamanian-American Menu.
Popular Traditional Food around the World That You Should Try
Traditional food is food that has become a tradition because it has been passed down from generation to generation. Usually, each country has one traditional food that eventually becomes a characteristic of the country. This traditional food is also a “national treasure” and the pride of the country. Although traditional food initially developed in certain areas, thanks to the promotion and tourism, traditional food is gaining in popularity even in many countries. Here is a popular traditional food around the world.
Sushi
The first popular traditional food came from Japan. It is known that sushi was first discovered in the Yayoi period, which is around 1,000 BC – 300 AD. Until now, sushi has survived and developed to be popular in many countries. Today, sushi consists of many types; however, the most popular are nigirizushi (hand-pressed sushi) and makizushi (rolled sushi). Sushi is also popular because it can be combined with a variety of seafood and vegetables.
Pizza
Who doesn’t know pizza here? Pizza is a popular food typical of Italy. Pizza is a flat, wide-shaped dough baked with a topping of cheese, tomato sauce, and several other additions, such as cuts of meat. It is known that pizza is the development of food called focaccia. Pizza has grown and is more modern in the 18th century. The name of the pizza itself was discovered around 997 AD.
Popular Traditional Food
Kimchi
Popular traditional food around the world comes from the Korean region. Kimchi is fermented vegetables and seasoned with chili powder, garlic, ginger, salted seafood (jeotgal), and spring onion. Vegetables used are usually the type of cabbage (napa cabbage) or Korean radish. However, kimchi can now be made with a variety of vegetable variations. Kimchi in its presentation is a side dish. In Korea, it’s not good to eat without kimchi, whatever the food. Kimchi itself is known to be first made in 37 BC – 7 AD or in the era of the Three Kingdoms.
Moussaka
The next traditional food comes from Greece. Moussaka is food that resembles a pie, but the dough is made from eggplant or potatoes. Moussaka also uses cuts of meat (usually beef). This food has several layers, i.e. the first layer is eggplant dough then the second layer is meat and vegetable cuts and is covered by eggplant dough again. Then, stack the layers baked, after they are cooked, cut according to the portions. It is known that the embryo of moussaka was discovered around the 13th century. The name moussaka itself was discovered and formalized in 1892.
Moussaka
Fish and chips
This food comes from the United Kingdom. Fish and chips themselves are known to be discovered first around 1860. This food is very popular throughout the world. Fish and chips are fried foods, which are made from fish covered with flour and potato pieces. The fish used are usually cod and haddock.
Nasi goreng (fried rice)
The last popular traditional food around the world came from Indonesia. Fried rice (nasi goreng) is a dish made from rice that is stir-fried with oil or butter and added with Indonesian sweet soy sauce and sambal (chili sauce). This sweet soy sauce and chili sauce make Indonesian fried rice different and famous. Indonesian fried rice is also usually added with cuts of meat and vegetables.
Drinks in Panama and the Best Places to Get Them
From coffee to beer, you name it. not only food, but you can also get the best drinks in Panama. Here you will get to know many kinds of beverages that are popular in Panama. Not only it will help you what drinks you should try when you are in Panama, but also the best places to get the best beverages.
Non-alcohol drinks
If you are coffee lovers, you will try to find coffee wherever you go. You should try coffee when you are in Panama. Grown locally in Chiriqui Highlands, the coffee is generally good even all over Panama. You can try them in espresso-style or serve black as Americano you can also add milk as you like.
Known as Champagne of the charges, the drinking water in Panama is called for its goodness. Iced water is usually served free in the restaurants in Panama, while tap water usually found in towns and cities except for the ones in remote areas.
The next delicious drink is called chichas, blends of water, ice and juice made from a tropical fruit. Chichas can be found in restaurants and on the street.
Served with milkshakes and fresh fruit, batidos is one of the famous drinks in Panama. Another popular drink is called pipas. It is the water from green coconut which served with ice or fresh from the tree.
chichas
Alcohol drinks
Beer is popular here in Panama, some local brands are popular and widely consumed bu Panamanians. Some imported beer is also available in the city. Some people here are consuming rum that is locally produced for a faster effect. Seco which is a fermentation from sugar cane is also stronger compared to regular beer.
Best places to drink in Panama
if you are visiting Panama for a short time, you should check out the night time in Panama City. The restaurants, bars with rooftops can be a good place to spend the night with your loved ones.
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Amano
This place is the perfect spot for good music, friendly neighborhood and authentic beverages since all the drinks are made by hand. Amano will never bore you since they will change the menu according to the season with different drinks.
Amano
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La Rana Dorada
This place is for you who loves beer whilst playing judi online at http://128.199.249.99. With hand-made beer, a chance to taste a bit from their choices gives you the opportunity to choose the ones which suit your taste. Come with popular beers, the pizza is exceptionally good. Beer and pizza, what a great combination!
La Rana Dorada
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MoMa
Moma is good for you who like to have a drink in a more relaxed place. With various types of drinks from margaritas, cosmopolitan, vodka, gin to rum.
4.Tantalo
Tantalo could be the best spot to have popular drinks in Panama while enjoying the view of the city from the rooftop. Tantalo is famous for the cocktails. The food is also good, you can order them on the lower floor, then you can go for a drink on the rooftop for the best experience during your stay in the city.
Tantalo