The traditional Paraguayan cuisine has indigenous, Spanish influences and also some influences marked by the immigration received by bordering countries. The indigenous influence can be seen in the use of products that most South American countries share, such as grains (beans), corn and manioc in most typical recipes.
The basic products of Paraguayan cuisine are corn and manioc, which are grind in the form of flour or starch and provide the basis for most of the country’s food.
With the arrival of colonization, more vegetables, legumes and meats were introduced.
Some of the traditional dishes are:
Soyo: Ground beef and vegetable soup.
Borí: Soup containing little balls of cornmeal and cheese.
Chipa: Type of bread made from cornmeal, manioc starch and “Paraguay” cheese.
Chipa So’ó: Chipa (detailed above) filled with seasoned ground beef.
Empanadas: Baked or fried patty filled with ground beef.
Pastel mandi’o or manioc patty: consists of the elaboration of the dough based on manioc and filled with ground beef, consumed especially during the San Juan festivities in Paraguay.