Guyana may be in South America, but it takes influences from all over the world and is a melting pot of different cultures. This is reflected in the country's food, which has not only Latin American or Caribbean influences but also plenty of Indian and Chinese ones.

In Guyana, it is not unusual to see various dishes from all over the world, from popular Latin foods like Fricase to Chinese staples like chow mein noodles, being served as local cuisine. Let us take a look at five local dishes popular in the country that are normally deemed "foreign" if it were any other country.

5 'International' Local Dishes To Try in Guyana

Guyana has a very sizeable Indian and Chinese population, in addition to those of African descent, as well as the local indigenous population. This, in addition to the Spanish, Dutch, and English influences, has crafted a truly "international" local cuisine. Here are five dishes we love from that country:

Gojas

This pastry is actually Indian in origin, and by Indian, we mean the ones from India. It is the Guyanese version of Gujiya, a famous Indian pastry, and this localized version boasts a flaky dough that acts as the crust, stuffed with spiced coconut, brown sugar, and ginger. It is full of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Food Atlas noted that these pastries can be consumed as a snack, dessert, or breakfast pastry.

Fry Bora With Shrimp and Potatoes

According to Insanely Good Recipes, this dish is of Chinese origin, and it features an ingredient typically used in Chinese cuisine: long green beans. These beans are chopped into smaller pieces and are sauteed with shrimp and potatoes. It is considered a complete meal in itself as it features carbs, protein, and fiber from all the vegetables.

Fricase

A dish that is popular in other places in Latin America, Fricase has been embraced by many in Guyana and is well-loved. Fricassee or fricassée, or just Fricase, is a stew made with pieces of meat that have been browned in butter and then served in a sauce flavored with the cooking stock popularized by Bolivia. In Guyana, they typically use beef cut into small pieces, with vegetables and also has egg or cream sauce added.

Guyanese Chow Mein

This is Guyana's take on a Chinese classic, and it was introduced to the country by those of Chinese descent. While it is prepared the same way as the Chinese original, which is stir-frying noodles with meat, vegetables, and soy sauce, this version has been described as having a distinct Guyanese flavor with local ingredients.

Guyanese Black Cake

This dish is a popular dessert item all over the Caribbean, and it is served with fruits and nuts soaked in rum, as well as a sweet dark sugar caramel that gives it its distinct flavor. It is typically served during Christmas, and Guyanese typically love preserving the cake by soaking it in even more rum.

READ MORE: Guyana Culture: Essequibo Identifies More as Guyanase and Not With Venezuela

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Written by: Rick Martin