I always find it fascinating to discover the local food of the country I visit. When visiting Argentina, you may wonder what the most popular food in Argentina is. In this article, I’ll dive into Argentina traditional food and highlight the must-try dishes that define Argentina food. A must try!
Read more: the best food tours in Buenos Aires in one list!
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10 Must-Try Argentina Foods
1. Asado (Argentine BBQ)
If travelers ask me what is the must-try Argentina Food, the answer is clear: asado. This iconic dish is more than just grilled meat. It’s a moment when friends and family gather to enjoy juicy beef, chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage). Cooked slowly over wood or charcoal, the rich, smoky flavors make it unforgettable. Argentina food is at its best with this tradition, and no visit is complete without trying an authentic asado.
Find the best Asado experiences and restaurants here in my top Asado list!
2. Empanadas: The Must Food in Argentina to try
A beloved part of Argentina traditional food, empanadas are savory pastries stuffed with fillings like meat, cheese, or vegetables. Each region puts its own version on them. Tucumán’s beef empanadas and Salta’s spicy versions are different to the ones you can get in Buenos Aires. Baked or fried, these flavorful empanadas are a must try when exploring food in Argentina. Try the traditional flavors: ham & cheese and meat.
In Buenos Aires, my favorite empanadas can be found in the San Telmo Market. More info here.
3. Milanesa
Milanesa, Argentina’s version of schnitzel, is a thinly sliced beef or chicken, breaded and fried to a golden color. Often paired with mashed potatoes or french fries, it’s a local favorite, especially children like it. This dish exemplifies typical food in Argentina, found in homes and restaurants nationwide, and it’s a delicious highlight of food from Argentina that’s simple.
When ordering, ask for the “Milenasa Napolitana”. As topping you have cheese and tomato. It is my favorite milanesa.
4. Choripán
Choripán, a popular street food, combines grilled chorizo sausage with chimichurri sauce and fresh bread. It’s a quick, tasty bite, perfect for a day in Buenos Aires or before a football match. The choripán can be seen as the hot-dog version of Argentina. Don’t forget to add chimichurri or salsa criolla as topping. Just delicious!
When in Buenos Aires, head to Costanera Sur. You find on the river bank the best Choripán places in the world! Link to Google maps.
5. Provoleta
For cheese enthusiasts, provoleta is a standout in Argentina traditional food. This grilled provolone cheese, seasoned with oregano and olive oil, melts into a creamy, crispy treat. It’s a classic appetizer at any asado and a key piece of the Argentina food experience that pairs perfectly with grilled meats.
6. Locro: the National Food in Argentina
What is Argentina food, what is the most popular food in Argentina, what is the national food of Argentina? When asking what is the national food of Argentina, locro often comes to mind. This hearty stew of corn, beans, chorizo, and beef is a tradition on May 25th, Independence Day. Reflecting indigenous and Spanish roots.
However, it is difficult to find on restaurant menus. You can taste Locro on weekends at “Perón Perón” restaurant in San Telmo.
7. Humita
Humita is another gem of food in Argentina, made from ground corn, cheese, and spices, steamed in corn husks. Popular in the north, it’s a lighter yet flavorful option in Argentina traditional food. This dish showcases the diversity of flavors that make Argentina food so special. The best humita you will find in the North of Argentina. The region of Jujuy and Salta. One of the best you can find in Ticara and Humahuaca.
8. Yerba Mate
While not exactly a dish, yerba mate is an essential part of Argentina food culture. This traditional herbal tea is enjoyed throughout the country, often shared among friends using a hollowed-out gourd and a metal straw (bombilla). The strong, earthy flavor is an acquired taste, but drinking mate is a social ritual that every visitor should experience.
I wrote an article about Yerba Mate and how to drink it.
9. Dulce de Leche
No exploration of typical food in Argentina is complete without dulce de leche. This sweet, caramel-like spread enhances desserts like alfajores and pancakes. A essential in food in Argentina homes, it’s a sweet-tooth essential that defines Argentina food culture.
The best Dulce de Leche you buy in the supermarket. Below I show you my favourite Dulce de Leche brands! Also, a perfect memory to take with you after your travel in Argentina.
10. Alfajores
Alfajores are soft cookies filled with dulce de leche, often coated in chocolate or powdered sugar. A daily treat for many, they’re a sweet symbol of Argentina traditional food. Pick some up at a local bakery to taste this delightful part of food in Argentina.
