
What do you eat gallo pinto with?
While eating gallo pinto with fried eggs is the most common pairing, it isn't the only way to eat the meal. If you'd prefer the rice and bean mixture for lunch or even dinner, you can pair it with fried sweet plantains, fresh Costa Rican cheese or sour cream, and bacon.
What is gallo pinto?
Gallo Pinto is the ultimate Costa Rica breakfast; they say if you can make it, only then you are ready to get married. That is the extend to which Costa Rican food defines the rest of the culture.
Is gallo pinto the ultimate Costa Rica breakfast?
Gallo Pinto is the ultimate Costa Rica breakfast; they say if you can make it, only then you are ready to get married. That is the extend to which Costa Rican food defines the rest of the culture. So what is the big difference?
Do you have to refrigerate gallo pinto?
Preparing Gallo Pinto from scratch can take a while so if you would like to add this delicious dish to your daily routine, consider making a large amount on Sunday and refrigerate or freeze the rest for the whole week.

What country serves gallo pinto?
Costa RicaGallo pintoGallo pinto, served at breakfast with fried eggs, plantain, bacon, avocado, a corn tortilla and sour creamCourseBreakfast, lunch, dinnerPlace of originCosta Rica and NicaraguaRegion or stateCentral AmericaServing temperatureHot5 more rows
Who typically eats gallo pinto?
Nevertheless, Gallo Pinto is the national dish of both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The two versions do, however, have very distinct differences. In Costa Rica (and at Bodhi Surf + Yoga), Gallo Pinto is always made with black beans while in Nicaragua it is traditionally made with red beans.
Is Gallo Pinto from Nicaragua or Costa Rica?
Gallo Pinto is the national dish of both countries and each lay claim to its origins. Costa Rica claims the dish was created in the 1930's in a suburb of San Jose while Nicaragua maintains that the dish was brought to the Caribbean shores of their country by African slaves well before it reached Costa Rica.
What is Costa Rica's national dish?
Gallo pintoTraditional dishes. Gallo pinto, which has a literal meaning of "spotted rooster", is the national dish of Costa Rica. It consists of rice and beans stir-fried together in a pan to create a speckled appearance.
Soda Viquez
"Soda Viquez is one of our favorite spots in town for local food. It’s located just a block from the park and has great service, with typical Costa Rican friendliness. They serve up all of the classics like gallo pinto (rice and beans with eggs) for breakfast."
Soda Mima
"I had gallo pinto (rice and beans, typically with eggs and tico cheese) almost every single day, but the absolute best one I ever had was from Soda Mima in La Fortuna."
Soda Montesol
"It is a typical breakfast of Costa Rica consisting of rice and beans, sweet peppers, onions and cilantro. Usually accompanied by tortillas, sour cream, eggs (scrambled, usually) and sausage / bacon or meat sauce. It's incredible!"
Soda La Fuente
Authentic and delicious! The best Gallo Pinto I ate in Costa Rica. This local and traditional restaurant located in the North Pacific offers you a lovely experience. Ask for the local sour cream and fresh cheese, the sweet plantain is exquisite too.
A Traditional Breakfast Food
Gallo pinto, which literally translates to "spotted rooster," is a traditional breakfast dish that is common in Nicaragua as well as Costa Rica. Despite its name, chicken and egg are not common ingredients in the dish. Instead, it is created using black beans and rice, creating a blackish-gray color for which the dish is named.
Other Ways to Eat Gallo Pinto
While eating gallo pinto with fried eggs is the most common pairing, it isn't the only way to eat the meal. If you'd prefer the rice and bean mixture for lunch or even dinner, you can pair it with fried sweet plantains, fresh Costa Rican cheese or sour cream, and bacon. Some people even choose to serve it on handmade tortillas.
More Delicious Foods to Try in Costa Rica
Of course, no matter how much you love Costa Rica gallo pinto, you probably won't want to eat it every day during your vacation. Luckily, you have plenty of other options. Most of the country's traditional foods are healthy yet tasty.
Where to Find the Best Foods in Costa Rica
While you can find healthy and delicious traditional dishes in nearly any restaurant in Costa Rica, many people choose to visit a soda. These small and casual cafes typically include an open-air environment and provide large meals at an affordable price.
Food Preparation in Costa Rica
Remember, nearly any meal you eat in Costa Rica will be full of locally sourced ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, meats and spices. Whether eating at a casual soda or having a luxury dining experience, your choices are healthy and safe, not to mention stimulating the local economy.

Que Rico
The Difference
- So what is the big difference? For starters, Rice and beans are exactly what you’re gonna get when you ask for rice and beans there isn’t any spice, not much flavor and it is a bland meal compared to Gallo Pinto. Whereas the famous dish that all Costa Ricans love and eat every day is perfected in a mix of spices and vegetables. If you go to the right restaurant, you will be amazed how a fe…
Where Is It from?
- Gallo Pinto is widely thought to come from Costa Rica, which is true. Although there are variations of the famous dish in neighboring countries especially Nicaragua. Other countries where this exists include El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. You even find a variation of it in the southern United States known as Carolina Peas and Rice. B...
When Should You Eat Gallo Pinto?
- The Costa Rican People generally eat this for breakfast you may think this to be a little weird. Who eats rice and beans for breakfast? The answer is everyone. It is a normal meal to get you going in the morning. And locals will question the same thing to you, why do you eat only fruit or cereal in the mornings? Don’t be afraid to ask for this awesome meal when ever. Many restaurants will se…
The Recipe
- So we have your mouth watering now. Perhaps you visited Costa Rica and haven’t gotten to taste Gallo PInto in a while, so here is the perfect recipe for you to try out.
A National Dispute
- Costa Rica and Nicaragua have fought over many things in the past but this is an interesting dispute over Gallo Pinto. Both Countries claim to have been the originators of Gallo Pinto. In 2007 Nicaragua made a Guinness sized meal of the famous dish to feed 22000 people in Managua. They held the world record for the biggest dish of Gallo Pinto until Costa Rica blew them away i…