OCEAN in Chilean Food:

Fish and Seafood

Chile’s particular geographic location with the Pacific coast all along the country offers a wide variety of seafood and fish.

Don’t be surprised if your waitress asks you to choose in between 4 different fishes when you order your food.

My favorite is Reineta, Salmon, and Lenguado as they have great flavor and it’s easy to eat them and not mess up with the little bones.

Caldillo Marino

The classic Sea Food and fish soup.

You will find it in different versions and qualities, but the main ingredients are always the same.

Don’t forget to add some pebre, coriander, and lemon on top!

Here you can find more about this delicious recipe!

Ceviche

Ceviche is a preparation including Raw fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice.

Here I have to admit that my favorite is Peruvian because they use limes, ginger, and chili, and it’s having an amazing mixture of flavors, but lately, I’ve found some very interesting versions in Chile including traditional flavors.

Curanto

This is a traditional preparation from Southern Chile, in Chiloé island.

It’s prepared in a hole in the ground or in a normal kitchen and includes seafood, fish, beef and potatoes and a selection of a traditional type of potato bread, called “milcaos” and “chapaleles”.

Ostras, Locos, Machas y Centolla:

When I’m in Chile these are the things I first go for. Having a long coast all over the country, seafood in Chile is always fresh and at a very good price! You can eat 100 oysters or a Kilo of Centolla for only 30USD

 

Pastel de Jaivas

There’s a crab eaten all over the country, called “Jaiba”.

Usually, you will find them sold at the sides of the roads or in the fish markets.

They are especially delicious inside a Crab pie covered with cheese is the most delicious crab preparation you will find. You can find this preparation under the name of “Pastel” or “Chupe” the only difference is the type of bread used in the mixture.

The other option is to eat them cooked with lemon and mayonnaise.

Fish Sandwich / Sandwich de Pescado

The specialty of any beach area is this sandwich.

With fried or cooked fish, mayonnaise and lettuce and of course…inside a marraqueta bread.

Smoked Fish / Pescado Ahumado

Across the country different kind of fishes are being smoked and sold in markets or in more fancy stores.

In the South, the usual is Salmon or Trout and in the North bigger fishes as Sierra are the stars of the smoked fish scene.

Have you tried the other delicious Chilean foods? Do you have any favorite of these preparations?

Have I missed including your favorite dish?