Best Aruban Food: 44 Best Aruban Dishes And Traditional Food In Aruba To Try

Best Aruban Food: 44 Best Aruban Dishes And Traditional Food In Aruba To Try

We will write about Aruban food with the best 44 Aruban dishes. The Aruban cuisine is not so famous but for sure, the food in Aruba is good! There are also some dishes that are an authentic traditional food in Aruba to try and drinks in Aruba! Click here to book online Aruba activities and day trips

Aruban cuisine with Netherland and Indonesian influence mixed with Caribbean dishes. You can find local meals in Aruba for around $5 USD per person. At lunch you might want a chicken sandwich for $10 USD salad, burger and pizza with a fresh fruit drink for $20 USD.

You can have a budget of $20 USD a day enough decent meals in Aruba if you go for street food and free breakfast. Read here best restaurants in Oranjestad and best drinks in Aruba

Read here best Barbados vs Aruba, how to get from Aruba airport to Oranjestad, Antigua vs Aruba and Aruba packing list

SIM CARD AT ARUBA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Aruba airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Aruba. Read here best Aruba sim card for tourist and best Aruba eSim

You can find the cheapest Aruba eSim with Airalo Aruba eSim prepaid for $9 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

You can buy an Aruba eSim with Holafly eSim Aruba for $34 USD with 3 GB data valid for 7 days. For $42 USD with 7 GB data valid for 15 days and for $53 USD with 15 GB valid for 30 days.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARUBA

The accommodation is expensive and you will find hotels starting from $60-80 USD. If you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $50 USD a night. Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in Aruba.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

Best Aruban Food: Best Aruban Dishes And Traditional Food In Aruba To Try

BEST ARUBAN DISHES: TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ARUBA

1. FISH CREOLE  

Creole fish. Lightly flavor white fish and shrimp are pan sear and serve in a tomato base Creole sauce. One method to completely change a well season and pan-sear piece of fish is to use a decent sauce. In a Creole Fish, any nice, solid, gentle fish will do, always use a good, American wild-caught or responsibly produce supply of fish.

2. KESHI YENA

Keshi yena is a classic Caribbean dish that originate during in the slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries on the isles of Curaçao and Aruba. The meal comprises of a large piece of cheese that has been scoop out and stuff with seasons pork. It can be cook n steaming or bake. As a result, the Keshi yena was born, its name derive from the Dutch word kase, which means cheese.

3. KERI KERI

Shark meat is often use in Keri keri and is usually serve. You can substitute any fresh firm white flesh fish fillet for the shark meat. Keri keri is a traditional Aruban stew made with leftover fish.

4. CARNI STOBA (BEEF STEW)

Carni stoba (beef stew) is a traditional Aruban dish. The leg or shoulder is cook for 2 to 4 hours before being combine with annatto and basil, as well as celery, carrots, potatoes, and onions.

5. CABRITO STOBA (GOAT STEW)

Cabrito stoba is an Aruban goat stew which can be found all over the island. It’s usually serve using local spices and herbs, as well as potatoes, just as the stews. Cabrito stoba can also contain a small amount of curry.

6. SOPA DI MONDONGO (TRIBE SOUP)

Sopa di Mondongo (Tribe Soup) will hit you differently because of the tripe as its meat. Mondongo stew is delicious because the tripe adds depth to the taste and thickness of the stew. Remember that you could also play around with the tripes. Try to switch it up with goat or pork, some even love to eat it with pork intestines.

7. COOL ISLAND SOUP

As the name implies, cool island soup is a cool fruit soup that is perfect for hot summer days. Pineapple, cantaloupe, papaya, apricot, sparkling water, and fresh lemon juice make up this cold beverage. It’s best to let the puréed components rest for at least 4 hours preceding serving cool island soup.

8. DUTCH SPLIT PEA SOUP

Green split peas are use in making Dutch split pea soup, which is a substantial, smoky soup. Pork, carrots, onion, leeks, and celeriac were cook together. It’s also known as Snert or simply Dutch Split Pea Soup.

9. GIAMBO

Giambo is a traditional Aruban meal that combines beef, okra, and seafood like red snapper in a thick, substantial soup. Antillean gumbo is another name for this dish. Giambo is a tasty Aruban rendition of the fame Cajun dish made with puréed okra, which gives the food its distinctive, slippery texture.

10. CONCH STEW

Conch Stew is perfect if you enjoy soup, this might be one of the conch dishes that you might love. The Conch chowder is a tomato based soup, flavored with various spices like thyme, basil, crushed red pepper, fennel, potatoes, plum tomatoes, garlic and many others.

11. PUMPKIN SOUP

Pumpkin Soup is a traditional food in Aruba. Pumpkin Soup is made of pumpkin and you can add onions, garlic, sweet peppers and milk or cream.

12. FRIED FISH

Fried fish since we have the abundance of fish in the islands, you’d definitely expect the Aruban cuisine to have fried fish. Serving the whole fish, usually, this can be seared or fried fresh and served with lemon and lime and some pepper. Easiest yet comforting food in the islands.

13. ARUBAN CEVICHE

Ceviche is served in all parts of Latin America. The raw fish is marinated in lime for 12 hours, so it is no longer so raw. Ceviche usually spends on shrimp, lobster, lemon, cilantro, tomatoes, and plenty of seafood. Aruban cuisine serves ceviche usually for lunch and dinner as one of the most popular food in Aruba. 

14. ARROZ CON POLLO

Arroz con Pollo is rice with fried chicken. Arroz con pollo is usually served in local restaurants with French fries and salad. Prices are around $6-7 USD and you can find in local restaurants.

15. SEAFOOD

Seafood, who doesn’t enjoy a good crab dish, baked in its own shell? Seasoned and served with egg, and you have an enjoyable in the list of Aruban dishes.

16. LOBSTERS

Lobsters are much larger than the ones you’re probably used to. Crustaceans are the major exports of the islands, and a big part of the Aruban cuisine. Spiny lobsters can be served differed ways – steamed or boiled, added in salads, used as patties, or served with Creole type or styles of sauces.

17. SATAY

Satay is one of the most popular Aruban dishes from Indonesian influence. Satay consists of sliced chicken, or goat, beef, pork grilled at barbecue. My favorite satay is served with peanut sauce.

18. FRIED PLANTAIN/PLANTAIN CHIPS

Fried plantains is one of the most popular snacks in Aruban cuisine. Fried plantains are often served as sides to most of the main dishes in Aruba. They can be eaten with meat, or standalone snacks.

19. FUNCHI

Funchi is a traditional Aruban dish consisting of cornmeal, salt, and butter. Cornmeal was boil in hot water and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it thickens and stiffens. After that, the funchi gets mix with butter and serve.

20. PAN BATI

Pan bati literally means “smashed” or “beaten” bread. After that, you cook it like pancakes. The batter is made with basic flour and cornmeal, and the raising ingredient is baking powder. To taste, pan bati is flavor with a pinch of salt and sugar.

21. SIBOYO TEMPERA

In Aruba, Siboyo Tempera is a famous side dish or seasoning. This is prepare using dice marinate onions and chilies from Madame Jeanette. Siboyo Tempera keeps for several days in the refrigerator.

22. PASTECHI

Pastechi is an Aruban morning dish that can also be enjoy as a snack. It’s made up of crescent shape dough that’s been deep fry and stuff with a range of ingredients like chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, or cheese. Pastechi is commonly made with coarsely dice onions, green peppers, celery stalks, raisins, cumin, nutmeg, and hot peppers as the main component.

23. FRINKANDEL (SPICED MEAT HOG DOGS)

Frinkandel is a distinctive skinless, deep fry sausage that is a favorite snack in Belgium and the Netherlands. It comes with a dab of mayonnaise on the side and is offer simple. Throughout Belgium and the Netherlands, frikandel can be bought at a variety of snack bars and friteries.

24. BITTERBALLEN (MEAT BALLS)

Bitterballen are meat fill balls that are deep fry and coat in the Netherlands. Beef, flour, beef broth, and additional seasonings are commonly use in the filling. Bitterballen are typically offer as a snack in bruin cafés, a sort of bar famous in the Netherlands.

25. PICA HOT SAUCE

Pica hot sauce is create using tomatoes, spices, and fresh pureed red chili peppers. Its vivid peppery flavor and absence of vinegar make it an excellent addition to tacos, soups, pork, tostadas, quesadillas, fish, or any dish that needs just little zing.

BEST ARUBAN FOOD: ARUBAN CUISINE SNACKS AND DESSERTS TO TRY

26. Black Eyed Peas Fritters – Cala

Black Eyed Peas Fritters – Cala is a spicy snack that is widely known as an Aruba edible memento. It’s a typical fritter cook with black eye peas, onions and jalapeño peppers. Cala is a hearty and delicious Caribbean snack that is generally serve while still warm.

27. AYACA

Ayaca is a complex meal that is usually prepare as part of a Christmas feast. This is fill with a stew-like filling. Ayaca is often cook with meat that is wrap in corn flour dough, stuff with plantain leaves, and then boil it.

28. GOUDA CHEESE

Gouda cheese is originally from Netherlands. Gouda cheese is sweet and creamy cow’s milk popular over the world and you will find in Aruba as appetizer.

29. TERT DI PREIMU

A typical pie or pastry from Curaçao and Aruba is the Tert di Preimu. Milk, butter, eggs, baking powder, flour, and salt are combine to make the pie’s dough basis. Slice prunes, sugar, flour, cinnamon, mace, and nutmeg make up the filling of Tert di preimu.

30. COCADAS

Cocadas is so delicious as sweet snack in Aruba. Cocadas is a small cake filled with a coconut sauce with vanilla and milk. You will find as street food in Aruba.

31. DUTCH PANCAKES

Dutch pancakes are popular for breakfast. You can eat sweet or salty as you prefer. Dutch pancakes are usually made with nutella and eaten for breakfast or dessert in Aruba.

32. DRAGON FRUIT

Dragon fruit is so sweet and one of the most popular fruits in Aruba. White color inside and pink outside. Prices are from $3-4 USD per kilo.

33. KESIO

Kesio in Aruba is Flan version in Latin America is gold colored caramel custard served with liquid caramel on top. Kesio is one of the most popular desserts in Aruba and Latin America.

34. PANLEVI

Panlevi are wonderful Caribbean sponge cookies from the Netherlands. It comes from Curacao’s Sephardic community, which is home to the Americas’ oldest synagogue. Panlevi were frequently offer as welcome gifts and as get-well gifts.

ARUBA DRINKS

35. ARUBA ARIBA

Aruba Ariba is one of the island’s most famous cocktails and is frequently offer as a welcome drink. It’s suppose to have a taste similar to passion fruit. Although Aruba Ariba has a pleasant and fruity flavor, it packs a punch!

36. RUM PUNCH

The Aruban Rum Punch is considered the most popular, and party drink in Aruba. It can be popular, but it is actually a strong drink. Made with one part sour, two parts sweet, three parts strong, and four parts weak served over ice.

37. SLIPPERY MONKEY

The Slippery Monkey is a crowd-pleasing coffee liquor cocktail. It contains vodka, banana cream, coconut rum, vanilla ice cream, and ice.

38. MELON POPSICLE

Rum, Blue Curacao, Passion Fruit, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Soda, and Melon Liqueur make up the Melon Popsicle Cocktail.

39. PONCHE CREMA

Ponche crema is a type of eggnog popular in Venezuela. Milk, eggs, sugar, rum, and spices are use to make this sweet and smooth liquor cream. During the holiday season in Venezuela, ponche crema is traditionally offer.

40. BALASHI BEER

Balashi beer is a mild, thirst-quenching pilsener that is distinctive of the Caribbean. It’s not only completely pure and safe to drink, but it’s also quite tasty. Balashi beer is still a great beer that tastes great when serve ice cold and is ideal for Aruba.

41. RAINBOW SANGRIA

The coolest, easiest cocktail trick Is Rainbow Sangria. White wine, Brandy, honey, and soda water are mix together. Strawberry, watermelon, oranges, mango, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, and purple grapes are all cut up in Rainbow Sangria.

42. SANGRIA

Sangria is one the most popular drinks in Aruba. Sangria is made of wine, fruits, sugar and rum. Sangria is always served with ice.

43. MOJITO

Now you might know how to do this in your home, but Aruban mojitos? Never a bad time to try them while in the islands! Never a bad time to have your mints and white rums.

44. COCONUT

Coconut water is a must to try in the list of non alcoholic drinks in Aruba. You will see street vendors at the beach passing by with coconut water and when you under the sun is so refreshing plus so healthy.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ARUBA

In Aruba their summer (December to April), there are fewer rains than normal. In their winter (May to November), rains are almost non-stop. For most tourists best time to visit Aruba is  from December to April because of easier transport. 

Click here to know more about the weather in Aruba!

Hope you liked our Aruban food blog post. Let us know if we missed any food in Aruba and which one is your favorite one in the list of Aruban dishes.

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Happy Travels!