Bolivia: 5 of the Weirdest Dishes Served in This Country

Bolivian cuisine is largely underrated. However, this South American country also has its fair share of odd dishes that may not be for everyone, from llamas to guinea pigs to something Indiana Jones fans are all too familiar with.

Like many other countries in the world, Bolivia has a ton of dishes that many from other countries either find weird, exotic, or eyebrow-raising as these examples of Bolivian food are not what everyone else finds appetizing.

5 Weird Foods Eaten in Bolivia

Bolivia is filled with a ton of weird dishes that may or may not turn off a lot of people. However, we have picked only five and while many enjoy these dishes, they are certainly not for everyone. Here are our picks:

Cuy (Guinea Pigs)

This is perhaps one of the tamest dishes here as guinea pigs are often enjoyed in many parts of Latin America, such as Peru. However, these cute and furry creatures are considered lovable pets in other parts of the world and may not go over nicely there.

These rodents are often roasted on a spit and served on special occasions in many parts of Latin America. According to Culture Trip, guinea pigs taste like chicken but it may take hours to consume because of all the tiny bones these creatures have.

Frog Smoothies

Yes, you heard that right. Frog smoothies are a thing in Bolivia and they mean that literally. It is popular in Peru as well, much like Cuy.

Frog meat is thrown into a blender and whisked into an inviting pale green smoothie. However, this beverage is claimed to have a sort of medicinal purpose, curing things from low sex drive to asthma. These have not been proven medicinally though.

Charque de Llama

Another beloved creature being eaten by many as food in Bolivia is llamas. These are often served in other Andean countries, but in Bolivia, they are often eaten either dried or fried and with a side of either cheese or corn or both.

Rostro Asado (Sheep Head)

While eating sheep is nothing weird, eating its entire head may raise a few eyebrows. However, these parts are considered a delicacy in Bolivia, though they may serve as nightmare fuel for the uninitiated.

According to Gringo in Bolivia, an entire sheep's head, including its eyes, nose, teeth, and wool, is slow-roasted in an oven before being served with a side of bread, potatoes, and rice. It is said to be done when the wool "slides off like a glove," though it is often only served in Oruro during Carnival. Many in Bolivia also claim that this dish is also a hangover cure, though this claim, much like the frog smoothies, is dubious at best.

Cerebro de Mono (Monkey Brains)

Remember that infamous dinner scene in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" where Indie and friends were served monkey brains for dessert? It turns out that they also enjoy these "delicacies" in Bolivia as villagers in the remote Amazon basin in the Beni Department enjoy them on special occasions.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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