# The best traditional Guatemalan dishes

Guatemalan cuisine, heir to Maya and Spanish cooking: four of its dishes are national Intangible Cultural Heritage (pepián, jocón, kak'ik and plantains in mole), plus the street and festive classics.

- 13 votes · 12 items
- Nov 20, 2025 · bairescocinillas
- https://even.best/en/l/312/the-best-traditional-guatemalan-dishes

## Top 10

1. **Kak'ik** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Spicy red turkey soup of Q'eqchi' origin, from Cobán.
2. **Pepián** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Thick stew of pumpkin seeds, sesame, tomato and chillies with chicken, beef or pork; the national dish.
3. **Jocón** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Green tomatillo and coriander stew with chicken, from Huehuetenango.
4. **Tamales colorados** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Corn dough with red sauce, pork or chicken, in mashán leaf; Saturday night and Christmas dinner.
5. **Fiambre** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Cold salad with dozens of cold cuts, meats and vegetables for All Saints' Day.
6. **Caldo de res** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Beef soup with corn, chayote and carrot.
7. **Guatemalan pupusas** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Thick tortillas stuffed with cheese and pork crackling.
8. **Plantains in mole** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Fried ripe plantain in a mole of chocolate, chillies and sesame.
9. **Chuchitos** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Small tamales with sauce and meat wrapped in corn husk.
10. **Hilachas** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Shredded beef in tomato and tomatillo sauce with potato.
11. **Rellenitos de plátano** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Plantain filled with chocolate black beans, fried and sugared.
12. **Shucos** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Guatemala City street hot dogs with guacamole, cabbage and chorizo.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.