Travel Blog Traditional Colombian Dish: The Filling Bandeja Paisa

If you are returning home after a vacation in Colombia and you didn’t get a chance to try the Bandeja Paisa, kindly remove yourself from the airport security line and buy another return ticket. Bandeja Paisa is so good, it’ll make you miss your flight.

What is Bandeja Paisa?

It’s one of the most traditional Colombian foods and it can be summed up as “a festival of meat on a Frisbee-sized plate.” In fact, the word bandeja in Spanish means platter, so you know you’re in for a lot of food. Traditionally, a Bandeja Paisa consists of two types of Colombian sausage, ground beef, rice, red beans, a fried pork rind called chicharrón, an arepa, a plantain, a slice of avocado (you know, to be healthy) and a fried egg to top it all off.

Where is it popular?

The Bandeja Paisa can be found in many parts of Colombia, but the meal has roots in the Antioquia region of the country, which encompasses Medellín, Guatapé, Rionegro and more. People from these areas are called Paisas. (Colombia is very regionalized, so people from different parts of the country have identifying names and diverse cultures.) So if you happen to be visiting Medellín during a trip to Colombia, make sure to order a Bandeja Paisa while you’re there.

What is the history of Bandeja Paisa?

This Colombian cuisine has humble beginnings. It was originally considered peasant food because farmers in the Antioquia region would eat the protein packed meal for breakfast before working in the fields. The combination of meat and carbs kept them going throughout the day. Currently, Bandeja Paisa, with all its components, isn’t considered peasant food. The dish is usually one the most expensive meals on menus because it’s such a large serving of food.

Where to learn more about Colombian food?

Foodies who want to learn about Colombia's history and culture through its gastronomy should consider a food and cooking tour, where they can visit a traditional market, taste exotic fruits, discover iconic dishes like Ajiaco and Bandeja Paisa, and even prepare their own Colombian recipe.

And if tasting a hearty Bandeja Paisa leaves you wanting to explore even more of the country’s rich culinary traditions, there’s an inspiring way to continue the journey. The Colombia Gastronomy Tour: Bogotá & Cartagena invites travellers to go beyond this iconic dish and dive deeper into Colombia’s flavours, markets, and regional ingredients. From hands‑on cooking experiences and speciality coffee tastings in Bogotá to coastal cuisine and vibrant food culture in Cartagena, this tour offers a delicious and immersive look at the diversity that shapes Colombian gastronomy, perfect for anyone eager to savour Colombia with every bite

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About the author

Nidia Penagos

Nidia started Uncover Colombia after feeling the tug to promote her native country through a positive perspective. What better way to do that than showing visitors the beauty and diversity of her homeland? She was well-aware Colombia didn’t have the best reputation and she wanted to change that. So in 2012, with the help of her Colombian husband and close group of friends, she laid the foundation to build a Colombian tour operator that offers unique adventures, safe experiences and utilises local knowledge on each and every tour.