Argentina
Argentine Food Guide for Travelers
Argentine food is defined by beef: the best grass-fed steak in the world, cooked over wood-fired grills with reverent simplicity. Beyond asado, there's Italian-influenced pasta, empanadas, dulce de leche, and some of South America's finest wines.
The Cult of Asado
Sunday asado is 4-5 hours: asador tends wood embers, cooking beef, chorizo, morcilla, sweetbreads. Meat seasoned only with salt.
Steak Guide
Bife de chorizo (sirloin), ojo de bife (ribeye), entrania (skirt), vacio (flank), tira de asado (short ribs). Order 'jugoso' or 'a punto'. Well-done is a waste.
Italian Influence
Massive immigration made Buenos Aires a pasta/pizza city. Fugazzeta, sorrentinos, and fresh pasta shops everywhere.
Wine Country
Mendoza: Malbec is the star, Torrontes is uniquely Argentine. Wine tastings are world-class and much more affordable than Europe.
Must-Try Dishes
Asado
$$Argentine BBQ: various beef cuts, chorizo, morcilla, offal over wood embers.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Empanadas
$Baked or fried pastry pockets with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Every province has its style.
Contains gluten, meat/cheese
Provoleta
$Thick provolone grilled until bubbly, with oregano and chilli flakes.
Contains dairy; gluten-free
Milanesa
$Breaded fried beef or chicken cutlet. Napolitana adds cheese and tomato.
Contains meat, gluten, eggs, dairy
Choripan
$Grilled chorizo in bread with chimichurri. The essential street food.
Contains meat, gluten
Dulce de Leche
$Caramelised milk spread: on toast, in pancakes, on ice cream.
Contains dairy; gluten-free
Alfajores
$Shortbread cookies with dulce de leche, coated in chocolate.
Contains gluten, dairy
Locro
$Hearty corn, bean, pork, squash stew. National holiday tradition.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Menu Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Parrilla | Grill restaurant: temple of beef | Dining |
| Asado | BBQ/grill | Cooking Methods |
| Bife de chorizo | Sirloin (NOT chorizo sausage) | Proteins |
| Entrania | Skirt steak | Proteins |
| Chimichurri | Herb, garlic, vinegar sauce | Sauces |
| Vacio | Flank steak | Proteins |
| Malbec | Argentina's signature red | Drinks |
| La cuenta | The bill | Dining |
Dietary Restriction Guide
Vegetarian
Challenging: meat culture is deep. Empanadas with cheese or corn, provoleta, pizza, pasta, salads. Buenos Aires has growing vegetarian scene.
Vegan
Very challenging. Pizza without cheese, salads, grilled vegetables. Buenos Aires has dedicated vegan restaurants.
Gluten-Free
Grilled meats are gluten-free. Empanadas and milanesa contain gluten. 'Sin gluten' understood in Buenos Aires.
Common Allergies
Dairy in provoleta, empanadas, desserts. Wheat in milanesa and empanadas. Say 'soy alergico/a a...'.
Ordering Tips
- •Order by cut: bife de chorizo (sirloin), entrania (skirt), ojo de bife (ribeye). 'Jugoso' is medium-rare.
- •Dinner starts at 9pm. Restaurants fill at 10pm.
- •Malbec from Mendoza: world-class, fraction of global price.
- •Tipping 10%. Some add 'cubierto' (cover charge).
- •Afternoon merienda: medialunas and cafe con leche.