There’s this beautiful country in South America called Brazil and here has the best food (and people) in the world.
Here’s everything you need to know about Brazilian heavenly cuisine to eat right now!
Coxinhas
What is it: Little raindrops of fried goodness usually filled with chicken and a very creamy cheese called “catupiry.”
Tastes like: A fried mac ‘n’ cheese ball, sans noodles, plus chicken.
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: Veloso Bar and Frangó Bar
Get a recipe here
Brigadeiro
What is it: Chocolate truffles made with condensed milk instead of cream and covered in chocolate sprinkles.
Tastes like: A Nutella ball sprinkled with chocolate.
Conclusion: You’ve been missing out on chocolate rolled into balls for far too long.
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: Loubet Brigadeiro Gourmet, Maria Brigadeiro, Le Chef Gatô, Madame Brigadeiro
Get a recipe here.
Farofa
What is it: Fried cassava flour. It can include egg, bacon, and other add-ons. It’s usually sprinkled over rice and beans.
Tastes like: Nothing you’ve ever tasted. Come on, it’s fried cassava flour, but it’s still DELICIOUS!
Conclusion: Hands down: Cassava flour is tastier than regular flour.
Get a recipe here.
Feijão Tropeiro
What is it: Pinto beans sautéed with cassava flour, scallions, egg, and bacon.
Tastes like: Someone put eggs and bacon in your beans.
Conclusion: You should add eggs and bacon to everything.
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: À Mineira
Get a recipe here.
Açaí
What is it: A superfood berry used to make fruit bowls and smoothies. Pro tip: Blend with bananas and strawberries and top with granola and honey.
Tastes like: A granola bowl, sans yogurt, plus berry goodness.
Conclusion: Granola bowl, shh-manola bowl.
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: Frutaria
Get a recipe here.
Pastel
What it is: More fried goodness but this time with less dough, which you can fill with everything from cheese, to beef, to cod fish, and pretty much whatever else your stomach desires.
Tastes like: A deep-fried empanada.
Conclusion: All empanadas should be deep-fried.
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: Yoka, Pastel da Maria and Hocca Bar
Get a recipe here.
Mousse de Maracujá
What is it: Passion fruit mousse.
Tastes like: Passion fruit pudding.
Conclusion: So where do I buy passion fruit?
Get a recipe here.
Feijoada
What is it: A black bean stew with various types of beef and sausage.
Tastes like: A hearty black bean chili.
Conclusion: Chili, what are you doing with your life?
Where to find the best one in São Paulo: Bolinha Restaurante, Veloso Bar (on Saturdays)
Get a recipe here.
Moqueca de Camarão
What is it: A shrimp stew cooked in coconut milk and palm oil. Add veggies such as peppers and tomatoes to complete.
Tastes like: Clam chowder if it were cooked in coconut milk, minus the clams, plus the fish…and the vegetables.
Conclusion: Clam chowder is basic, so, SO basic.
Where to find the best one: Colher de Pau (São Paulo), Colher de Pau (Fortaleza), Restaurante Coco Bambu (There are in a many states os Brazil)
Get a recipe here.
Bauru
What is it: A traditional sandwich with roast beef, mozzarella cheese, tomato, and pickled cucumber served on a French roll. Pro tip: Cut out the excessive dough from inside the roll.
Tastes like: A yummy roast beef sandwich.
Conclusion: YES! You can actually make this right now.
Where to find the best one: All Bakery in Brazil
Get a recipe here.
Créme De Papaya
What is it: Papaya blended with vanilla ice cream. Pro tip: Top with some créme de cassis.
Tastes like: Papaya ice cream with a sweet liqueur drizzled on top.
Conclusion: You should start topping all your ice cream with a sweet liqueur.
Get a recipe here.
Acarajé
What is it: A black-eyed pea ball fried in palm oil, usually stuffed with shrimp and vinaigrette.
Tastes like: A stuffed shrimp falafel.
Conclusion: Why do we even bother with regular falafels?
Where to find the best one: Tabuleiro do Acarajé (São Paulo) and Acarajé da Cira (Salvador)
Get a recipe here.
Requeijão
What is it: A ricotta-like cheese spread.
Tastes like: A thicker ricotta-like cream cheese.
Conclusion: You’ve been settling for regular cream cheese your whole life.
Where to find the best one: In any supermarket, the best brand is Aviação or Tiroles
Get a recipe here.
Mandioca Frita
What is it: Fried yucca sticks.
Tastes like: Hearty French fries.
Conclusion: Forget the French fries.
Where to find the best one: Any Bars
Get a recipe here.
Pave
What is it: Layers of cookies filled with chocolate or fruit, lemon, coconut, etc.
Tastes like: A chocolate or fruit-filled Neapolitan.
Conclusion: Layers make everything taste better.
Get a recipe here.
Empada
What is it: A baked casserole usually made with chicken, olives, hearts of palm, corn, and other fillings. You can sub chicken for beef, shrimp, or any other type of “meat.”
Tastes like: A chicken pot pie without the creaminess.
Conclusion: Yo, chicken pot pie, take notes.
Where to find the best one: Mercearia Godinho (São Paulo)
Get a recipe here.
Quindim
What is it: A baked dessert made of egg yolks, sugar, and ground coconut flakes.
Tastes like: A coconut flan.
Conclusion: Coconut flan > regular flan
Get a recipe here.
Pão de Queijo
What is it: Little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.
Tastes like: Yup, little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.
Conclusion: You’ll never eat regular bread again.
Where to find the best one: Starbucks (everywhere), Casa do Pão de Queijo (Everywhere in São Paulo)
Get a recipe here.
Some information are from BuzzFeed
