Discover the Flavor: Top 7 Fun Facts About Dominican Republic Food You Need to Know!

1. Spaghetti Fiesta

You know what they say: the way to a Dominican's heart is through spaghetti – a pasta party of pure corazón and carbs galore: The Dominican Republic takes mingling of culture and cuisine to another level, pairing spaghetti with rice or plantains, and sometimes tossing in ham, salami, or pork chop into their Spaghetti a la Criolla, ensuring a fiesta of fullness in every bite!
Source => quericavida.com

2. Lechón as Christmas Star

Move over Santa, there's a new pork in town: During the Christmas festivities in the Dominican Republic, lechón asado, a scrumptious slow-roasted pork dish, takes center stage, often stealing the show from jolly Saint Nick himself. Instead of reindeer, households feast on pigs marinated in signature seasoning, with the savory scent wafting through the air as the tender meat and crispy golden skin roast to perfection; truly a porky paradise just in time for the holidays.
Source => dominicancooking.com

Did you know Mofongo, a scrumptious Puerto Rican dish, is a perfect blend of African, Spanish, and Taíno culinary influences? Find out how this unique treat is made and where to enjoy it in the USA! 🇵🇷🍴

=> Fun Facts about Puerto-Rico-Food

3. Tango with the Chimi

In the grand game of "spot the ancestor", everyone's favorite Dominican Republic late-night burger takes the crown by saucily whispering, "Tango this way, mi amor": The Chimi, a street food sensation, is actually the lovechild of an Argentinian Choripán sandwich, smuggled into the Dominican Republic by an entrepreneurial immigrant during the 1970s. Enthralled with its chimichurri sauce heritage, the folks renamed it "Chimichurri" before trimming its mane to "Chimi" - a seasoned beef patty adorned with slightly-cooked cabbage, onions, tomato, mayo-ketchup sauce, all cradled within Pan de Agua buns akin to Italian and French bread.
Source => mydominicankitchen.com

4. Casabe: The Highlander Flatbread

In a world where bread goes stale and moldy faster than you can say "baker's yeast," Dominican Republic's ancient edible invention, casabe, defies all odds and becomes the Highlander of flatbreads (There can only be one... on your plate, that is!): Casabe, a crispy flatbread made from cassava flour, has been a staple in Taino diets for over 500 years and was even at the center of their pantheon with a god named "Our Great Lord of Yuca". Fat-free, rich in fiber, preservative-free, and with a shelf life of eight months, casabe is produced on a large scale today, employing many people, particularly women, in rural areas. It is commonly served with mambá or habichuelas con dulce in the Dominican Republic and beyond.
Source => dominicancooking.com

5. Coffee and Merengue Mornings

What's brewing in the Dominican Republic might just perk up your morning routine: Coffee is not only a source of national pride, but also a beloved drink and vital part of the Dominican economy, thanks to Spaniards bringing it there in the early 18th century. The country’s ideal growing conditions make for a smooth and robust flavor, which might just give you a caffeine-laced desire to do the merengue. You'll typically find it enjoyed strong, black, and sweet - a testament to Dominican's enduring adoration for it. The cherry on top? Traditional coffee farms grow the crucial crop under a shady canopy of native trees, ensuring the practice is not only bean-utiful but also environmentally sustainable.
Source => dominicancooking.com

6. Tree Bark Brew: Mabi Magic

In the "bark" for excitement, folks in the Dominican Republic have found a bubbly beverage recipe that takes tree-hugging to a whole new level: Mabi, a carbonated drink made from the fermented bark of the mabi tree, is mixed with copious amounts of sugar and spices like cinnamon or allspice and has its roots in a British colonial adaptation of the Carib islanders' drink made from red sweet potatoes.
Source => seriouseats.com

7. Pineapple Jam Cake Crescendo

If you're on a "jam session" seeking the key ingredient to summit the mountain of Dominican culinary delights, fear not, for you've reached the peak of tropical temptation: Dominican cake's sweet symphony is complete only with homemade pineapple jam, elevating the moist and fluffy cake to new heights with the tart freshness of real pineapples – a fruity adventure far superior to the store-bought alternatives!
Source => dominicancooking.com