Belize Food: Find Caribbean Cuisine

A good trip is one with a full heart and a satisfied stomach. In order to have such in Belize, you need to get familiar with the local Belize food. And there's no doubt that once you come to know the fine cuisine, you will desire even more Belize delicacies.

The forte of Belize food is seafood. To know which one you should order in the menu, take note that a ceviche is marinated cold seafood salad cooked in lime juice. If you are craving for some squid, look for calamares in the menu. Take note that a lobster is a langosta; while langostinos are prawns and camarones are shrimps.

For those who are hankering for the tasty goodness of a crab, then order a cangrejo. A tuna is atun; while mussels are called mejillones and oysters are ostras. And of course, for those seek a bit of seafood rarity, you can try the pulpo (octopus), tiburon (shark), and Dorado (dolphin / mahimahi).

Other seafood dishes you dare should not miss while in Belize are 'hudut' which is a fish stew cooked in coconut milk and served with mashed fried green plaintains; and 'sere' which is a similar dish inspired by the Kriol. Escabeche is also another must not miss dish which means pickled onion soup and can be made with either chicken or fish.

If meat is your main plate of delight, keep your eye out for Belize food entitled 'bistec' which is beefsteak, 'cerdo' for pork, 'jamon' for ham, cordero for some lamb, and 'costillas' for ribs. If your appetite is particularly yearning for some duck, then order a pato. If it is turkey that you want, there is pavo. Other dishes you might be interested in are lengua which is ox tongue and chicharrones which are crispy fried pork rinds perfect as appetizers.

For some exotic Belize food, you can opt to order an iguana or gibnut (paca). Interestingly, a gibnut is a large rodent which Belizeans call The Royal Rat" or The Queen's Rat". This is for the main reason that Queen Elizabeth was served this particular dish during her visit. An iguana on the other hand is often called a 'bamboo chicken' since it actually taste like chicken (pollo).

For some bread and candy, a bami is cassava bread; a Janny kake is traditional fried bread which is usually offered for breakfast; strech-mi-gots are traditional taffies, and a tablayta is a coconut candy.

Of course, a Belizean food trip is not complete if you have not tasted their signature liquor and beverages. Being in the Caribbean, take advantage of the abundance in fresh fruit shakes which will certainly quench your thirst. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, you can try their famous seaweed shake which is a concoction of dried seaweed, cinnamon, evaporated and condensed milk, and some nutmeg. If you want to kick your seaweed shake up a notch, you can request the barista to add a shot of rum or brandy.

Rum is the most popular choice of liquor in Belize and the finest of which is called Prestige. If favor beer more, then you will find that Belize Brewing Company bottles Belikin (the national beer) and it has several variations like Belikin Premium, Belikin Lager, and Belikin Stout.

When you make your visit to Belize make sure that you try the local cuisine at many of the small first rate restaurants. Your palate will not be disappointed and your trip will be enriched by the experience.