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30 Traditional Brazilian Foods you need to try when coming for the World Cup



 

1. Caipirinha

What is it: the national cocktail in Brazil. It is made with lime slices, sugar and “Cachaça” is a popular sugarcane derived alcohol. Some prefer to substitute the cachaça for vodka which in some areas of Brazil is called a “Caipiroska”

Tastes like: A refreshing lemon juice with a special alcoholic taste of cachaça

Where to find: Once it is the national drink, you will find a Caipirinha in every bar or restaurat in Brazil

 

2. Bolinho de Bacalhau 

What is it: a cod fish cake in a ball shape. These are generally deep fried.

Tastes like: Delicious to drink with a extremely cold beer!

Where to find: Commonly offered as an appetizer  in many bars and restaurants. 

 

3. Guarana

What is it: Pronounced “gware‘na”. Guarana is one of the most popular soft drinks in Brazil. Guarana is made from a fruit that grows in the Amazon jungle. The guarana fruit is rich in natural caffeine and used in many energy drinks.

Tastes like: A little similar to redbull , but "lighter" and more refreshing.

Where to find: Everywhere you can buy something to drink!

 

4. Churrasco 

What is it: in Brazil it simply refers to a barbeque, which is almost comprised of large chunks of meat cooked on skewers. When in Brazil you may want to visit a churrasqueira, a restaurant that has all-you-can-eat barbequed meat, sometimes served impaled on swords.

Tastes like: You will try many different cuts offering a unique and succulent experience

Where to find: In every city you can find many "churrascarias", with all price ranges. Churrasco is the traditional foods in the South region of Brazil.

 

5. Tapioca

What is it: kind of pancake made from manioc starch and water, used for different types of meals. In beiju (or biju), the tapioca is moistened, strained through a sieve to become a coarse flour, then sprinkled onto a hot griddle or pan, where the heat makes the starchy grains fuse into a flatbread, which may be sprinkled with coconut. Then it may be buttered and eaten as a toast (its most common use as a breakfast dish), or it may be filled or topped with either salgados (savory ingredients) or doces (sweet ingredients).

Where to find: tapioca is more traditional and easier to find in the Northeast of Brazil, in many bars and restaurants, and as street food. In other regions, is more common to find as street food.

 

6. Coxinhas 

What is it: Little raindrops of fried goodness usually filled with chicken and a very creamy cheese called “catupiry.”

Tastes like: A fried mac ‘n’ cheese ball, sans noodles, plus chicken.

Where to find: Everywhere: in restaurants, as appetizer; bars, bakeries...

 

 

7. Brigadeiro 

What is it: Chocolate truffles made with condensed milk instead of cream and covered in chocolate sprinkles.

Tastes like: A Nutella ball sprinkled with chocolate.

Where to find:Most commonly in bakeries, confectioneries and candy stores.

 

8. Pão-de-Queijo 

What is it: Little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.

Tastes like: Yup, little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.

Where to find: Is one of the traditional foods in Minas Gerais, there you will find everywhere! But its

 

9. Farofa 

What is it: Fried cassava flour. It can include egg, bacon, and other add-ons. It’s usually sprinkled over rice and beans.

Tastes like: Nothing you’ve ever tasted. Come on, it’s fried cassava flour, but it’s still DELICIOUS!

Where to find: is a traditional national dish, served as a side dish almost everywhere

 

10. Feijão Tropeiro 

What is it: Pinto beans sautéed with cassava flour, scallions, egg, and torresmo.

Tastes like: Someone put eggs and crunch bacon in your beans.

Where to find:Typical dish of Minas Gerais.

 

11. Açaí 

What is it: A superfood berry used to make fruit bowls and smoothies. Pro tip: Blend with bananas and strawberries and top with granola and honey.

Tastes like: A granola bowl, sans yogurt, plus berry goodness.

 

12. Pastéis 

What it is: More fried goodness but this time with less dough, which you can fill with everything from cheese, to beef, to cod fish, and pretty much whatever else your stomach desires.

Tastes like: A deep-fried empanada

 

13. Mousse de Maracujá 

What is it: Passion fruit mousse.

Tastes like: Passion fruit pudding.

 

14. Feijoada

 

What is it: A black bean stew with various types of beef and sausage.

Tastes like: A hearty black bean chili.

Where to find: Everywhere! Its generally served as the main dish in many restaurants on wednesdays and saturdays.

 

15. Bolinho de Chuva

What is it: Little balls of glorious fried dough sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

Tastes like: Cinnamon doughnut holes.

Where to find: Its not common to find it to buy, its generally prepared at home.

 

16. Moqueca de Camarão

What is it: A shrimp stew cooked in coconut milk and palm oil. Add veggies such as peppers and tomatoes to complete.

Tastes like: Clam chowder if it were cooked in coconut milk, minus the clams, plus the fish…and the vegetables.

Where to find: it´s a traditional dish in Bahia, Espirit Santo and Pará.

 

17. Beijinho

What is it: Coconut truffles. Made with cooked condensed milk and coconut

Tastes like: A coconut sweet explosion

Where to find:Most commonly in bakeries, confectioneries and candy stores.

 

18. Vatapá

What is it: A spicy cream of fish and shrimp dish cooked in peanut sauce.

Tastes like: A thick shrimp curry, kind of.

 

19. Bauru

What is it: A traditional sandwich with roast beef/ham, mozzarella cheese, tomato, served on a French roll. Pro tip: Cut out the excessive dough from inside the roll.

Tastes like: A yummy sandwich

 

20. Creme de Papaya

What is it: Papaya blended with vanilla ice cream. Pro tip: Top with some créme de cassis.

Tastes like: Papaya ice cream with a sweet liqueur drizzled on top.

Where to find:Most commonly served as dessert in many restaurants.

 

21. Acarajé

What is it: A black-eyed pea ball fried in palm oil, usually stuffed with shrimp and vinaigrette.

Tastes like: A stuffed shrimp falafel.

Where to find: it´s a typical dish of Bahia. In Salvador city, is the most common street food.

 

22. Romeu e Julieta

What is it: Guava paste and white cheese stacked on top of each other.

Tastes like: A guava and white cheese finger sandwich.

 

23. Misto Quente

What is it: A melted ham and cheese sandwich usually on white bread.

Tastes like: A grilled cheese with ham.

Where to find: In every bakery or snack bar.

 

24. Requeijão

What is it: A ricotta-like cheese spread.

Tastes like: A thicker ricotta-like cream cheese.

Where to find: In every supermarket, as it is one of the main itens for the brazilian breakfast.

 

25. Mandioca Frita

What is it: Fried yucca sticks.

Tastes like: Hearty French fries.

 

26. Salpicão

What is it: A salad made of chicken, ham, raisins, carrots, apples, olives, and mayonnaise, and topped with shoestring potatoes.

Tastes like: A sweet chicken salad with shoestring potatoes.

 

27. Pavé

What is it: Layers of cookies filled with chocolate or fruit, lemon, coconut, etc.

Tastes like: A chocolate or fruit-filled Neapolitan.

Where to find:Most commonly in confectioneries and served as dessert in restaurants.

 

28. Empadão

What is it: A baked casserole usually made with chicken, olives, hearts of palm, corn, and other fillings. You can sub chicken for beef, shrimp, or any other type of “meat.”

Tastes like: A chicken pot pie without the creaminess.

 

29. Quindim

What is it: A baked dessert made of egg yolks, sugar, and ground coconut flakes.

Tastes like: A coconut flan.

Where to find:Most commonly in bakeries, confectioneries and served as dessert.

 

29. Pamonha

What is it: It is a paste made from fresh corn and milk, boiled wrapped in corn husks, turned into a dumpling. Variations may include coconut milk.

Inspired by this post http://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielakruschewsky/traditional-brazilian-foods-you-need-to-eat-right-now, (adapted) including 6 more itens that couldn t be missing in the list !