Brazilian cuisine is a colorful, mouth-watering mixture of the country’s unique culture and personality. Phenomenal street food, delectable stews, and absolutely lovely desserts make Brazil’s hearty cuisine a must-try. The regional cuisine varies greatly, but you can surely try some typical dishes to experience the country’s rich food heritage. Here are our top nine choices of Brazilian foods that will make you drool:

1. Feijoada
   Feijoada is one of the dishes you must not leave Brazil without trying. The traditional stew is made using black beans and salted, smoked, and fresh meats, especially pork. It is usually served with white rice, and a side of sautéed collard greens pairs wonderfully well. A common ingredient of this dish is the carne seca—salted and dried beef—that is widely available in the local markets.
2. Arroz e feijão
   The beans and rice combination, although popular all around the world, is one of the must-try dishes in Brazilian cuisine. Different varieties of beans are preferred around the country, but black beans are one of the first choices. This indulgent recipe is packed with comforting flavors and makes for a healthy meal that’s also budget-friendly!
3. Moqueca
   The Moqueca is an exotic seafood stew cooked in a clay pot. Any white, firm fish, along with other seafood, works best as it’s cooked slowly with vegetables and herbs to make a vibrant, flavor-packed stew. The base is usually coconut milk and palm oil, but this may vary. It tastes best with fresh white rice, and you can also squeeze some lime juice for added freshness.
4. Coxinha
   These little teardrop-shaped delights, also known as “little thigh,” are every street food lover’s dream. They’re made by stuffing shredded chicken and mashed potato inside wheat-flour dough, which is deep-fried until golden and crispy. Over the years, the Brazilian dish has seen several variations, with many using other meats like pork or beef and even using cheese in the filling. There are also vegetarian versions of these beauties!
5. Bobó de camarão
   Bobó de camarão or shrimp bobo is a creamy dish made using shrimp, coconut milk, and cassava purée. The dish is a hit during the carnival in Brazil. It is made spicy (warm) for those who can handle the heat, but there’s always a medium spicy (cold) version for others. It is served with white rice, and you can keep some hot sauce handy if you like your food spicy.
6. Pão de queijo
   The Brazilian cheese bread is to die for! The gluten-free bread is made using eggs, cheese, and tapioca or cassava flour. Some even experiment with garlic, chili flakes, extra/different cheese, or their choice of herbs. Enjoy them crispy while they’re still warm, or you can let them cool and whip up some sandwiches later. You can dip them in marinara or simply relish them with your coffee. You’ll love them either way.
7. Acarajé
   Although the acarajé came from African traditions, it is a favorite among Brazilians. The mouth-watering snack is a deep-fried patty of black-eyed peas and onions, which is cut open and stuffed with shrimp and delicious vatapa—a rich, creamy purée of prawns, coconut milk, bread, and other ingredients. Piping hot acarajé with a dash of chili sauce can take your taste buds on a trip.
8. Pastel de queijo
   These savory Brazilian cheese pastries are popular street foods made of thin dough stuffed with tasty fillings like chicken and beef. There are also sweet variations to the pastel, with chocolate and banana or guava jam. These treats look a lot like empanadas, but they’re so much more!
9. Feijão tropeiro
   The name translates to “Cattleman’s Beans.” In the colonial times, troops of cattlemen who traveled far and wide carried staples that could be stored easily, like dried beans, flour, and carne seca. These ingredients birthed the delicious feijão tropeiro, which is now prepared using beans, collard greens, eggs, bacon, and cassava or manioc flour. It is traditionally served with white rice and fried pork cracklings.