Table of Contents
Introduction
Uruguay may be small, but its cuisine packs a flavorful punch. With influences from Spain, Italy, and neighboring countries like Argentina and Brazil, Uruguayan food offers a tasty mix of grilled meats, Italian pastries, and local specialties. Any food lover visiting Uruguay needs to sample iconic dishes like the meaty asado, chivito sandwich overflowing with ingredients, sweet pasta frola tarts, and the ever-present mate tea. The capital of Montevideo boasts bustling markets and upscale restaurants to experience these delicacies and more. This foodie guide will take you on a mouthwatering tour of what to eat and where to find it in Uruguay.
Asado
No trip to Uruguay is complete without trying an asado. This mixed grill of various meats is a national pastime and the star at family gatherings or weekends at the ranch. Asado consists of beef, pork, sausage, chicken, and offal cooked over a wood fire or coal grill. The cuts of beef favored for asado include ribs, flank, tenderloin, and sweetbreads. For a truly decadent experience, order the asado de tira, a slow-grilled prime rib that melts in your mouth.
The essential condiment served with asado is chimichurri sauce. This uncooked sauce contains parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and dried oregano. Chimichurri adds a fresh, herby kick that cuts through the richness of the meats. Once you taste this iconic sauce, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything!
Chivito
Moving from the grill to sandwiches, no foodie’s Uruguay list is complete without the famous chivito. This piled-high sandwich originated in Punta del Este in the 1940s. The basic ingredients in a chivito are thin slices of tenderloin steak, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, and olives. From there, deluxe versions add ingredients like bacon, fried egg, ham, peppers, pickle slices, and more. There’s even a “choripán chivito” topped with a grilled chorizo sausage!
While specialty chivito restaurants have popped up, locals argue the best, most authentic chivitos are still served at humble food counters. Snag a stool at a place like El Tamboril in Montevideo’s Old City and sample this iconic sandwich. Pro tip: come hungry, as these chivito portions are massive!
Pasta Frola
With the blend of cuisine in Uruguay, it’s no surprise that Italian pastries like pasta frola are a staple dessert. This tart features a buttery, crumbly crust piled high with jam or dulce de leche filling. Pasta frola’s origins can be traced back to Genoa, Italy. The name means “flaky pastry” – an apt description!
The most common pasta frola fillings are quince jam or that quintessential Uruguayan ingredient, dulce de leche. But foodies can also find creative fillings like sweet potato puree or dark chocolate ganache hidden within that melt-in-your-mouth crust. For an authentic experience, sample pasta frola from one of Montevideo’s historic Italian bakeries.
Enjoy your pasta frola with a steaming cup of mate tea for a classic Uruguayan snack. The contrast of the bold, grassy mate against the sweet tart makes for a heavenly pairing.
Dulce de Leche
Speaking of dulce de leche, this caramelized milk sweet is another national obsession in Uruguay. Dulce de leche simmers milk and sugar together until smooth, thick, and golden brown. A small amount spread on toast is divine. Uruguayans use dulce de leche extensively – stirred into coffee or tea, sandwiched into cakes, stuffed into churros, swirled into ice cream. You name it, they’ll add dulce de leche to it!
While pre-made versions are available in markets, the best dulce de leche is homemade on the stove. Grab a jar at a small farmicia in one of Montevideo’s residential neighborhoods for that homemade taste. Just beware – dulce de leche is addictive!
Mate
You can’t talk about Uruguayan food culture without mentioning mate (pronounced MAH-tay). This herbal tea is ubiquitous across the country. Mate is made by steeping the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant in hot water and sipping it through a metal straw. Sharing mate with others is a social ritual.
Beyond its cultural significance, mate has a pleasant grassy, vegetal flavor with a caffeine kick. Some study results have linked mate consumption to health benefits like increased immunity, heart health, and weight loss, though more research is needed. Whatever its potential effects, mate’s popularity in Uruguay is undeniable. Don’t leave without partaking in a mate break to experience a piece of everyday life.
Montevideo’s Food Scene
Uruguay’s capital Montevideo offers the greatest concentration of restaurants, markets, and cafes to sample all these local specialties. Foodies should spend some time exploring the offerings in the city. The immense Mercado del Puerto covered market contains dozens of eateries and grill restaurants serving up classic Uruguayan fare. Around the market, you’ll find artisanal food shops and cafes aplenty.
Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja (Old City) also houses charming restaurants like La Fonda, La Pasiva, or Jacinto, famous for their renditions of chivito, pasta frola, and other specialties. For fine dining, restaurants like Parador La Huella and La Bourgogne excel in blending Uruguayan flavors into upscale dishes. And throughout the city, keep an eye out for food trucks and street vendors dishing out churros, empanadas, and Uruguay’s amazing grilled meats.
Conclusion
From the smoky flavors of the asado to the nostalgic sweetness of dulce de leche, Uruguayan cuisine offers a bounty for travelers to savor. The iconic chivito sandwich and pasta frola tart highlight culinary fusions and their deep Italian roots. And the beloved daily ritual of mate drinking provides energy and connectedness. By exploring Montevideo’s excellent restaurants, cafes, markets, and food shops, foodies can fully immerse themselves in Uruguay’s incredible food culture. The flavors of this small South American country will linger happily on your palate long after your return home.
FAQs
FAQ 1: What is the national dish of Uruguay?
The unofficial national dish of Uruguay is the asado – a mixed grill of various meats like beef, pork, chicken, and sausages. Asado is cooked over a wood fire or coal grill and typically served with chimichurri sauce. It is a staple at family gatherings and social events.
FAQ 2: What type of food is Uruguay known for?
Uruguay is known for its cattle culture and excellent grass-fed beef featured in dishes like asado. It also has strong Italian influences seen in pastries like pasta frola and in its appreciation for pizza and pasta. Other popular foods include the chivito sandwich, dulce de leche, and mate tea.
FAQ 3: What should you not miss eating in Uruguay?
Iconic Uruguayan foods not to miss are: asado (grilled meats), chivito sandwich, pasta frola (layered pastry tart), dulce de leche (caramel), and mate – the classic herbal tea drunk everywhere. Sampling these will give you a delicious overview of the country’s cuisine.
FAQ 4: Where can I try authentic Uruguayan food?
In Montevideo, head to Mercado del Puerto for its many restaurants featuring Uruguay’s grilled meats and street food. The Old City boasts historic eateries famous for chivitos and pastries. Upscale restaurants like Parador La Huella also offer gourmet local cuisine. Outside the capital, many ranches and farms have on-site restaurants with authentic asado.
FAQ 5: What is a unique Uruguayan food souvenir to take home?
Edible souvenirs to grab are dulce de leche (look for handmade varieties), alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies), and yerba mate to make the classic tea. Pasta frola and artisanal cheeses are other great options, though their shelf life is limited. Bring an insulated bag and bring Uruguayan flavors back home!