The best traditional Puerto Rican dishes
The top 3 according to 17 votes from people: Arroz con gandules · Mofongo · Pasteles. (Updated Aug 28, 2026.)
Boricua Creole cooking, a mix of Taíno, Spanish and African, according to Discover Puerto Rico, Civitatis and guides to Puerto Rican food.
Automatically translated (original in Español). See the original
Top 10
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1
Arroz con gandules
Rice with pigeon peas and pork cooked with sofrito; considered the national dish.
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2
Mofongo
Fried green plantain mashed in a pilón with garlic and pork crackling, stuffed with meat or seafood.
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3
Pasteles
Green banana and taro masa filled with pork, wrapped in banana leaf; a Christmas dish.
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4
Lechón asado
Spit-roasted pork; the 'pork highway' of Guavate in Cayey is famous.
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5
Pernil
Marinated roast pork shoulder, for Christmas.
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6
Alcapurrias
Green banana and taro fritters stuffed with meat, from the Piñones kiosks.
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7
Arroz mamposteao
Rice refried with stewed beans and sofrito.
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8
Tripleta
Sandwich with three meats, potato sticks and sauces.
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9
Piña colada
The cocktail born in San Juan, national drink since 1978.
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10
Bistec encebollado
Steak smothered in onions, with rice and beans.
Candidates
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11
Tostones
Green plantain fried twice and flattened.
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12
Piononos
Ripe plantain rolled around meat filling and fried.
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13
Coquito
Christmas coconut and rum drink.
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Comments (2)
El coquito en Navidad, mi abuela lo hace con mucho ron jaja
El mofongo con camarones es lo mejor de la isla 🇵🇷