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Being on the Pacific coast of Colombia, the food in Ladrilleros is mostly fish and seafood dishes as expected, but there are some local specialties that should be tried before leaving.

Fried fish in Juanchaco, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Fried fish

 

Ceviche

First, you’ll have to try the Colombian version of shrimp ceviche. It’s not the typical ceviche you’re used to from Peru or Chile in which lime dominates the flavor. Colombian ceviche is made with ketchup and served with saltine crackers. It resembles shrimp cocktail more than anything else.

Ceviche de camarones in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Ceviche de camarones
Ceviche de camarones in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Ceviche de camarones

 

Piangua

Available in both Juanchaco and Ladrilleros are empanadas filled with piangua. Piangua is a shellfish found on the Pacific coast. They’re delicious, and can also be used to make ceviche. We tried them at a street stand in Juanchaco. At the same stand, we found aborrajados, which are deep fried plantains stuffed with cheese and bocadillo (guava paste).

Street food in Juanchaco, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Street food
Empanadas de piangua in Juanchaco, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Empanadas de piangua

 

Sudado

For some of the dinners at our hotel, we had sudado de camarón (shrimp stew) or sudado mixto (mixed stew) with shrimp and calamari. The sauce is what makes the sudados delicious.

Sudado de camarón at Cabañas Costa Real in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Sudado de camarón
Sudado mixto at Cabañas Costa Real in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Sudado mixto

 

Coco Loco

Finally, a local drink called coco loco is exactly what it translates to – crazy coconut. Coco loco is coconut milk, rum, brandy, whiskey, piña colada mix, aguardiente, and condensed milk all mixed together and served in a coconut. One of these is all it takes to turn “loco”. They also have a much less alcoholic version with strawberry juice called coco fresa. It’s definitely not the cheapest drink available on the beach.

Coco loco cart in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Coco loco cart
Coco loco in Ladrilleros, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Coco loco
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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