Staples & Snacks

• chipa: Small baked rounds made with cassava flour and cheese, commonly found on the streets and served at breakfast, often paired with mate or coffee.
• sopa paraguaya: Despite the name meaning “soup,” it’s actually a savory cornmeal cake with onions and cheese.
• mbejú: Cassava starch pancakes, often stuffed with cheese, suitable for both breakfast and afternoon tea.
• chipá guazú: A soft cake made with fresh corn and cheese, best enjoyed with grilled meats.

Drinks

• tereré: Cold-brewed yerba mate, often mixed with mint or herbs, a daily drink for many Paraguayans.
• mate cocido: Hot-brewed yerba mate, common in winter.
• mosto: Sugarcane juice, refreshing and cooling.

Main Meals & Grilled Meats

Paraguayan asado (grilled meat) mainly features beef, sausages, and offal, served with cassava, salads, and chipá guazú. River fish such as surubí and dorado are often grilled or stewed. Mercado 4 in Asunción and riverside restaurants in Encarnación are top spots for foodies, where you can eat well for around $6–$11 per person. Beef is high quality and affordable, making it a hidden highlight of travel in Paraguay.

Practical Tips

• Street chipa stalls are most abundant in the early morning—the bread tastes best when fresh and hot.
• Tereré is often shared using a single straw—bring your own if you’re not comfortable with that.
• Portions at asado restaurants are large—ordering a shared platter plus sides is usually enough for two people.
• Tap water is not recommended; stick to bottled water or boiled water.
• Freshly baked chipa at breakfast shops, served with mate cocido, is a classic local combo.

Budget Reference

Street chipa costs around $0–$1 each, market meals range from $2–$4, and a full asado meal averages $6–$11 per person. Overall dining costs in Paraguay are mid-to-low compared to the rest of South America. The high quality and low price of beef and river fish are hidden travel bonuses. In higher-end restaurants in Ciudad del Este or Asunción, prices may go above $14 per person.