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Finding vegetarian food in Paraguay is like shopping for snowboards on Raratonga.
It’s even more meat-orientated than Brazil or Argentina but without the strong Italian influence that we found in those countries (pizza and pasta are often our saviours).
In fact, even the meat-eating American Peace Corp volunteers we met were sick of the amount of meat consumed in Paraguay – every day and every meal involved a chunk of meat of dubious origin. ‘Roast catgut? Again? Now you’re really spoiling us…’
The big downside to being a vegetarian is not being able to sample much traditional cuisine and not being able to take advantage of cheap street food. It’s tricky, because food is a big part of any culture but we did manage to find a few local dishes. Mostly though, we survived by not eating Paraguayan.
Chipa
Update: We have since discovered that chipas are made with lard!
Chipa is found everywhere in Paraguay and makes a cheap, easy snack. It’s a cheese corn bread similar to pão de queijo which we tried in Brazil. When you haven’t planned ahead and brought a packed lunch, chipa and fruit are likely to be your only options on a Paraguayan bus trip. We found that cheese empanadas (South American pastries) weren’t very common – we only had them in Asuncion.
Mbeju
Mbeju is a traditional starch pancake filled with cheese and melted over a fire. It can often be found on stalls at local festivals, which is where we sampled it. We weren’t overly impressed as it didn’t have much flavour but apparently it can really vary in quality.
Bori-Bori Soup
Bori-bori is an indigenous soup with corn dumplings. It is usually made with meat but our hosts at San Ignacio Country Club made us (we hope) a vegetarian version. The thick soup was very filling but to be honest it had an odd taste that we weren’t very fond of.
Mandioca
Mandioca (also known as cassava, tapioca and yuca) is a potato-like root vegetable that’s a staple in the Paraguayan diet. You are bound to end up eating it so if you don’t already, learn to like it! We find it a little dull but best when fried.
Natalia from Discovering Paraguay gave us this advice: “If you are staying somewhere that is having problems coming up with something for you to eat you can ask for mandió Shururú which is fried mandioca and eggs. If you like hot sauce bring your own to spice it up.” Good advice as the locals don’t do spicy at all.
Learn Some Spanish
I have a feeling this advice is going to apply everywhere in South America, but it is particularly true in Paraguay which sees so few tourists that no-one speaks English (the only exception is the German owner of Granja El Roble).
To check that something doesn’t contain meat or to explain your dietary requirements you are going to need to speak Spanish. At least take along a good phrasebook like Lonely Planet Latin American Spanish.
A useful phrase to know is “Soy vegetariano/a” (I’m a vegetarian), although it is better to be more specific: “No como carne, pescado ni pollo” (I don’t eat meat, fish or chicken).
Stay at Catered Accommodation
This is our biggest piece of advice: stay in accommodation that provides meals. We found that staying at places like Pro Cosara, San Ignacio Country Club and Granja El Roble took the stress out of finding a restaurant with vegetarian options.
Home-cooked food is better anyway and you can explain your eating requirements. Although telling them you’re a vegetarian can be a bit of a shock at first, we usually ended up with really good meals. We got Spanish tortilla a lot so we are learning to like eggs – it just makes things easier.
Self-Cater
The best food we ate was when couchsurfing with an American Peace Corp volunteer. It was wonderful having a kitchen where we could cook our own meals. A highlight was introducing some young Paraguayan guys to the joys of spicy, vegetarian Mexican food.
OK, it’s kind of a cheat as we weren’t eating local food at all, but frankly I am not actually sure it’s possible to enjoy the food here if you are veggie. Survival is key and self-catering is definitely the easiest way to eat healthily, cheaply and be sure there are no animal based ingredients lurking in your meals.
Even when you don’t have access to a kitchen it’s a good idea to be prepared and buy sandwich ingredients and snacks when heading off on a bus or day trip. You can never be sure that you’ll find any food that you can eat otherwise.
Head to Asuncion
As you’d expect from the capital city, Asuncion is the best place for good restaurants with a decent vegetarian selection.
We ate Mexican at Hacienda Las Palomas (Senador Long 644) near Shopping Mariscal Lopez; vegetarian paella at Spanish restaurant Taberna Española (Ayolas 631); a range of empanadas, sandwiches and salads at Bolsi (Estrella y Juan Batista Alberdi), and really good ice-cream at Heladería 4D (Avenida San Martin y Andrade).
Although the capital has the best selection we also managed to find a Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant in Ciudad del Este. Gourangas is behind the Municipalidad and only open for lunch. The choices are limited and it’s not authentic Indian food but our lentil soup was tasty and healthy, and the juices delicious.
Be Flexible
In Paraguay I’m afraid we had to adopt a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. I’m sure our food was cooked on surfaces alongside meat and it’s best not to question too closely the hidden ingredients of certain local foods. It’s either that or go hungry, and Simon doesn’t handle hunger very well.
And now, a warning to veggies coming to Paraguay:
At a Japanese restaurant in Encarnacion we ordered two rice dishes that we believed to be vegetarian friendly. When it came it was full of … LITTLE BITS OF MEAT!
(To be fair, it was a Japanese restaurant. I don’t really know what we expected.)
We asked the waiter about it but it was quite clear they weren’t going to offer us an alternative. Travelling through South American as a vegetarian, we knew that this day would come. Gritting our teeth, we reached for our chopsticks and picked those little chunks of beef right out of there. And then we ATE the rice! All of it!
Right now all of our meat-eating readers are thinking ‘So?’ – back us up, veggie friends, this is a Big Deal, right? We deserve a medal, surely (possibly from the US Army)?
If you’re vegetarian, you don’t come to Paraguay for the food (hell, if you’re a carnivore you still don’t come to Paraguay for the food), you come because it’s a unique, less-visited part of the world full of friendly and interesting people. Just know that it is perfectly possible to get by – especially if you are flexible and plan ahead.
True story so far guys. I’d only like to add that CHIPAS are usually (meaning acutally always) MADE WITH LARD!! ..making them NOT VEGAN at all. Living somewhere halfway in between ASU and CDE the only proper vegan haven I know of is my very own run by my señora ;)
Ugh! Thanks for the info and I’ve updated the post.
Any particular recommendations for hotels in Asunción with easy access to the places with vegan options and to Barrio Sajonia without a car?
Chris,
There are some vegan restaurants that use “cheese” made from sunflower seeds now and use vegetable oil instead of pig fat. Check Happycow for veg restaurant and stores in Py.
So did you know how they make the paraguayan cheese that u liked so much about your chipa? I mean besides the pork fat in the chipa.. Its not veggie cheese
Gracias Sofi,
Está bien su inglés. Otros han recomendado Be Ok. Vamos a ir. Lo difícil es que no como gluten tampoco. Que gusto que algunos usan queso de semilla de girasol. No sabía que se llama tuco, pero ahora sí. Veo que Pink Cow está en happycow.
Planning a visit in April! My husband and I are vegan and I’m also gluten-free.
Hi Linda! Hopefully now are more options for vegetarians and vegana in Paraguay, specially in Asunción (in other cities people eat meat everywhere, anytime!). You should visit Be Ok, a vegan restaurant (the adress is Doctor Hassler esquina Cruz del Defensor) and you will be safe! There is also another vegan restaurant called Pink Cow, in Fernando de la Mora (near of Asunción, the adress is: Teniente Martinez Ramella 1701 casi Corrales), just go the facebook page and see the map and phone numbers (both have delivery). And in other places, you can eat pasta with tuco sauce.
For ovo-lacto vegetarians is easy now :) you can eat “pizza vegetariana”, “tarta or empanada de acelga/queso/choclo/caprese”, “fideo al pesto o fideo con salsa roja”. I recommend “chipa guasú” (not in all places use pig fat, cause it can be replaced with oil), chipa guasú have soft corn and cheese and you can eat with salad, this you can find also in those vegan restaurants (there they use sunflower cheese).
Hope you enjoy your visit in Paraguay :) and sorry for my bad english.
The Vegetarian Union of Paraguay has over 3,000 members on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/uvpy.grupo/
Some listings on happycow http://www.happycow.net/south_america/paraguay/ with opportunities to review, some reviews in English, some in Spanish.
Kate,
When were you there?
NICE TO HEAR ABOUT SUCH A GREAT COUPLES <>>>COME TO SEE MY GREAT COUNTRY ARMENIA <<I WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE YOUR STORY ABOUT MY HOMELAND
Hi Florencia,
Do you live in Asunción? Are you involved in the Unión Vegetariana del Paraguay? They have a Facebook page.
Linda
I’m from Paraguay, I’m very sorry that you didn’t enjoyed too much your time here, but I think it’s all about the different tastes we have! I am vegetarian and have friends that are vegetarians too! Its not too harsh now, lately they have been adding many vegetarian restaurants here! But we DO always have many pasta and pizza restaurants and we also have many places with empanadas!! It makes me sad that you didn’t like it here and I found it a little offensive that comment you made “hell, if you’re a carnivore you still don’t come to Paraguay for the food” but I understand that was your opinion. You need to understand that we come from very different cultures and that if you came here prepared, investigated about us and found the right places to go you would have a better time here. My country’s cuisine is based on meat, vegetables, mandioca, maize and fruits and it isn’t very common people being vegetarians, but I think that now is more accepted.
With Love,
13 year-old Florencia :)
I think you are wrong, of all the places if been, Paraguay had one of the best foods, you obviously didnt go to the bes places, thats a shame. As a vegetarian it might get a little harder, but maybe you didn’t know anyone there to recomend you good places. I had a blast eating there, as a carnivore, but I know there are many options for vegetarian.. but ig your vegan, you’re screwed, really.
We live away from the capital, in Encarnacion, and are trying to go vegan + gluten-free, at least for a time, to see what’s up with DD’s food allergies. Not easy. And yeah, pig fat is in practically EVERYTHING! I’m trying to find recipes and ingredients that support our “menu” but I think I may have to hop over to Argentina (thankfully it’s close) for that sort of thing. Social situations are the worst. I know this is an old post, but if you’re still out there, Linda, I’d love any advice you can offer….
I was one of the vegetarian peace corps volunteers in rural PY and it was definitely not easy. I even married a local who cooks the same mystery dishes here in the states.. I did love sopa paraguaya (almost all cooked food uses pig fat, including chipa, so not totally veggie) and all the rice and bean salads. They put a ton of mayonnaise in them, but they are delicious…
Ugh, pig fat seems hard to avoid in South America. That must have been challenging for you.
Hi guys. I enjoyed your postings. I’m an athlete and eat healthy well balance meals. After living in the US for 40 years I moved to the Philippines, not a good move. Here people in general are not very athletic, eat tasty food, very greasy. Lots rice, the staple of Pilipines cuisine. People eat constantly all day. Socially, can’t refuse food when visiting. Great place if you want to gain 40lps or more in one year. I’m moving to Paraguay this April/2012.
I hope to have a good experience, since I speak Spanish.
Best of luck.
Sergio
really? yo estudie en la providencia hasta 6to grado, ahora ya tengo 27, soy chilena pero vivo aca hace mucho
:)
yes, I live here in asuncion, and I have not seen the list yet, but I’ll do it! thanks linda!!
Great, thanks! I lived in Barrio Sajonia and attended El Colegio de La Providencia when I was there. My host brothers attended CEPB.
When chatting with my AFS host brother the other day he commented that at most asados now the hosts will include veggies in foil on the grill for any vegetarians or others who for some reason don;t want or can’t eat the meat. He lives in CDE now but is originally from Asunción.
That’s good to hear!
Great post! i live in paraguay and is very hard to find vegan prepared food! i usually eat salads and rice whenever i go out.
I hope that one day there are more options for us
Greetings to everyone!
anat
It must be very hard being vegan! Good luck!
Ana,
¡Hola¡ ¿Mba’e xapa? Are you in Asunción or somewhere else? Have you checked out any of the restaurants on the list from the Unión Vegetariana? I’m interested in your take on the list.
Linda
Well….I think about the food…it s the matter of custom…
Guess What?….When I was in US…I ve missed so much the food from my country…The medialunas, empanadas, etc….I hated the breakfast with eggs , bacon and full of greasy stuff, for me…that s so unhealthy….Coffee from Starbucks??? That is not even a Coffee…So as you guess….I think the taste is depending in how we have learned from our childhood…
I definitely agree that it’s about what you are used to. It’s natural to miss food from home.
Great post, this was the perfect article for me as I’m about to go to Asuncion in a few days. For the most part will have a kitchen to cook and bought some spices already but since you mention it I’ll be bringing some hot sauce too.
Glad you found it useful. If you have a kitchen you’ll be fine, and Asuncion is easier than the rest of the country. Good luck!
Hey Carlos…I m living in Asuncion…You can call me if you want it …Do you like ciclyng? I can show you the city and go out for cycling too…
Luis
Claro que si Luis, hoy llegue a Asuncion… Mi cuenta de gmail es carlitocm.
The third story down on this website http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=71816&crawler=1&cHash=898f2bea20 is an interview in English with the president of the Vegetarian Union of Paraguay
Back in 1980, when I lived there canned peas and canned peaches were also available. We also ate potatoes and manioc (mandioca). I’ve adapted a recipe for sopa paraguaya to make it both vegan and gluten-free but don’t know if the ingredients I used would be available in Paraguay.
There is now a Vegetarian Union of Paraguay, reportedly with 130 members. I was not vegetarian or vegan when I lived in Asunción for a year in 1980-81 or when I visited in 1987. I have been vegan now for 20+ years (and my husband has been for 30+ years) and hope to visit again but need to figure out what to eat. To make it even tougher, I’m also gluten-free. The things that come to mind from when I was there 30 years ago are rice, bananas, papaya, guayaba, and carrots. According to Happycow.net there is a vegetarian Hare Krishna restaurant in Ciudad del Este.
We did actually meet a Paraguyan vegetarian in Asuncion – he is considered a bit crazy though! As we mentioned in the post Gourangas is the Hare Krishna restaurant in Ciudad del Este. The food was good although the choice is limited and it’s only open at lunchtimes.
The Vegetarian Union of Paraguay has added a list of restaurants.
There’s a Guaraní video with multilingual subtitles of preparation of vegan so´o apua here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdnNN5xnhjg
Thanks for the info Linda.
I have tried these food and…well it almost turned me back to meat!
Yes, unfortunately the options aren’t great.
Eek! This sounds like our stay in East Asia. We have a rule in East Asia – we order two to three “vegetarian dishes” and if we get one that is actually vegetarian, then I am happy. Of course, it makes it a lot easier that Patrick eats meat, because otherwise we would waste a lot of food.
And, yes, I am absolutely with you on picking meat out. Gross, gross, gross. In South Korea that was the name of the game – pick the meat out or don’t get anything to eat. We were only there for a week but it was enough. When we got to China and I found the plethora of veggie options, I sighed in relief and then set to gaining a bit of weight back.
That sounds like a good plan. I have heard that South Korea is really difficult but it’s good to know that China is pretty good.
Such great advice!!! I hope I make it to Paraguay and need to refer to this post.
Oh my… I was really thinking about going vegan. This is definitely a downside. Decisions. decisions.
Being vegan would be really hard, but possible if you are prepared to eat some really boring food at times and carry some emergency rations with you. Check out this site for some tips: / . They didn’t visit Paraguay but managed in many other South American countries. Good luck!
well, despite the food issue (although finding options it’s not impossible) i strongly recommend Uruguay too… it’s a lovely place, small, but charming :)
by the other hand, you should visit Venezuela, my home country… beaches are stunning, people is really nice and there are plenty of traditional (veggie) dishes you should taste.
We won’t be visiting Uruguay on this trip (we need to leave this winter behind!) but I am definitely interested in Venezuela. We’ll have to get your food tips for there.
I feel so identified with your situation… i’m now in Uruguay and people freaks out when i say i’m a vegetarian… here, there are more options as there is always pasta or pizza, but at some point it gets boring eating the same everyday (specially when your stay is as long as mine, two months) and vegetables on the supermarket are sooo expensive… anyway, in a few days you manage the situation somehow and end up having decent meals, but being not to picky is a MUST if you want to survive.
I’m sorry to hear you are finding things difficult in Uruguay too. It sounds similar to our situation in Salta. Before we moved into our apartment our only food choices were empanadas, pizza and pasta. We got so sick of unhealthy, stodgy food. It was wonderful to have a kitchen to cook for ourselves. It’s always possible to survive but it can get very boring!
I Chipa sound really good, I love cheese and cornbread. I’ll keep in mind to try that if I visited ( I hope I will in the future). Great post again!
We do recommend Paraguay despite the food situation!
As of 2014, this is a bit inaccurate. Asuncion has a lot off vegetarian options, at least now. Now there has been a huge increase in veggie food demand, a lot of new vegetarian-only estaurants and veggie options in normal restaurants. But it’s true, that wasn’t the situation five years ago. Oh, and I’ve been to that Japanese restaurant several times, the service is amazing and I’m sure they would have offered to cook the rice without meat if you asked. Their menu clearly states the ingredients.
I’m veg and when I was traveling in Paraguay I just remember eating a lot of corn in various forms. Corn in salad, chipa and other corn-based breads, corn soup, corn on pizza, etc. Speaking Spanish definitely helps eating prospects in Paraguay. Also, it’s so hot you don’t want to eat that much anyways.
Luckily I loved chipa. When I got back to Buenos Aires (where I was living), I’d stop by the bus station at Retiro because there were always people selling it around there :)
Glad you liked chipa – that would definitely make things easier. I agree speaking Spanish is a must. We were there in winter though so it wasn’t hot, in fact at night we were freezing sometimes.
Oh my gosh…I have never heard of chipa, but that looks and sounds amazing!!! I love cheese and cornbread, so I think I would be in heaven.
I’m not vegetarian, but my mom is, so I’ve seen how it can be rough finding food abroad :(
I’ll be honest – it’s not quite as nice as it sounds. It’s quite plain tasting, although the locals love it so it might just be our tastes.
There was one chipa place that Natalia recommended on the way from Asuncion to San Ignacio which was really good. But, I agree with you that the chipas were OK, but didn’t really deserve some of the hype they received from locals.
I really do feel for you. Traveling in Paraguay as non-vegetarians left us searching for something to eat on more than one occasion.
I’m glad it wasn’t just us that wasn’t so impressed with chipa. It isn’t really a foodie destination is it? We managed OK by staying in catered places though – it made things a lot easier.
Chipa is made from manioc flour and generally quite dry, the cheesy cornbread is sopa paraguaya and is moist.
Aha – the joys of world travel as a veggie, huh? Survival mode sounds just about right … We’ve experienced the same all over Europe, and in fact I eventually did start to eat meat again one trip in France when I really had had enough!
The hardest thing we’ve found is when visiting people in their own homes. Simple things like “I made a quiche – there’s no meat, just a bit of ham”… And have experienced the very same sensations where the food offered is labelled vegetarian but we’ve been really dubious but have been too hungry to ask too many questions.
I have no idea how vegans manage to travel without a well-stocked larder!
Happy continued veggie travels :)
It can be tough at times. You are right it is worse when going to people’s houses – it’s so awkward having to refuse food. One of the best things about travel in India was not having to worry about food at all. We could try street food and if we were told it was ´veg´we knew it was true.