So well let's face it. If you're looking for a sophisticated cuisine that has influenced the world to a certain degree, Costa Rica is not the place to be. Costa Rica has not been known to be world "power" (like that of France, Japan, and Mexico) when it comes to food, nor does it seem to plan to. Fine dining is also out of the question for Costa Ricans, who do not seem to be much into sophisticated dining.
Except for Mexico, none of the countries in Latin America seem to have made much impact on global cuisine, which is quite ironic considering that Latin America is the world's food basket. Chile and Argentina have inherited some good culinary tradition from its former European masters, but that aside, nobody in the region can really make a claim on culinary supremacy--not even Brazil.
Therefore, it would be unfair to highlight Costa Rica's lack of culinary prowess. Perhaps the reason is economic, for Costa Ricans are still too poor to develop their own sophisticated. The thing is that this is the case for the rest of the continent, from Belize to the continent's southern tip.
All is not lost, though. Costa Rican cuisine does have its highlights that we can all look up to. For one, Costa Rican ingredients are of high quality and diversity due to the nation's inherent biodiversity. Seafood, different vegetables, top-quality beef, chicken, and the abundance of fruits are just some among the ingredients that you can quickly notice--and, oh, let us not forget Costa Rica's famous coffee.
Due to its colonial history, Costa Rica has found itself infused with a cuisine of indigenous ingredients and techniques mixed with European influences, as well as recent American and Chinese influences. Furthermore, with the entrance of tourism as a major industry, Costa Rica found itself with a set of reliable cooks who come out with unique concoctions which may have some relation to local cuisine.
It depends where you go in Costa Rica.Pejibaye soup
Ceviche
Tamales
Sopa Negro
Tres leches
Octopus in garlic and wine
Gallos
Olla de carne
Lengua en salsa
Carne en salsa
Arroz con pollo
Various picadillos
Chayote rellena
All of these are respectable, flavorful, hardy and healthy meals, albeit simple.
The food here reminds me of the simple soul food of the south en Empire but with tropical ingredients.
