MALECON SALVADOR ALLENDE, LAGO XOLOTLAN. MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
MALECON SALVADOR ALLENDE, LAGO XOLOTLAN. MANAGUA, NICARAGUA - photo by feinteriano under CC BY-SA 3.0

Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua: All Of The Restaurants Picked On No Reservations

When Anthony Bourdain visited Nicaragua on his show No Reservations Season 7 Episode 3 (originally aired March 14, 2011), he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are the addresses and the dishes showcased on Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua, all in a convenient list.

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DISH – Vaho

WHAT IS IT?

Vaho (aka baho) is a traditional dish in Nicaragua that is made of slow-cooked cassava, meat, and banana. The meat (usually beef) is marinated overnight with garlic, onions, tomato and bitter orange. The marinated meat is then laid inside a big pot lined with banana leaves and layered with yucca. Fresh green onions, red and green peppers, and maduro plaintains with their skin are then added into the mix. The mix is then covered with more banana leaves and steamed. Vajo is often served with cabbage slaw.

WHERE IS IT?

Vaho tradicional
11 Calle Sureste entrada principal hospital Bautista 100 abajo
Managua, Nicaragua

NOTES – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

Vaho Tradicional has been making and serving vaho for more than 34 years.

DISH – Carne de Monte

WHAT IS IT?

Carne de monte (or “meat from the hills”) refers to a Nicaraguan culinary tradition that uses meat from mountain animals as the main ingredient. This includes iguana meat, where a whole iguana is cleaned and skinned. It is then added to a stew of pork, achiote paste, orange juice, vinegar and mustard, where it is braised until cooked and tender.

WHERE IS IT?

Flor De Pino
Managua, Nicaragua

NOTES – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

Flor De Pino is no longer open to the public but continues to open for and serve to friends. Its specialty is carne de monte, including iguana and fried bull testilces marinated in pineapple, pepper and lime juice.

DISH – Nacatamales – No Reservations Nicaragua

WHAT IS IT?

Nacatamal (nacatamales in plural form) is a traditional Nicaraguan dish that is usually eaten while having coffee. It is made of nixtamalized corn masa filled with pork, tomato and herbs.

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WHERE IS IT?

Leche agria El Ganadero
Managua, Nicaragua

NOTES – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

Leche agria El Ganadero is more popularly known as El Vaquero. Aside from its nacatamales, it is also well-known for its leche agria or soured milk.

DISH – Sopa de Mondongo – No Reservations Nicaragua

WHAT IS IT?

Sopa de mondongo or simply mondongo is a soup of slow-cooked tripe and vegetables. The Nicaraguan mondongo typically has tripe, yucca and chayote – a Nicaraguan vegetable that resembles a squash.

WHERE IS IT?

Casa campo Los Laureles
La Trinidad
Esteli, Nicaragua

NOTES – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

Los Laureles is an unassuming restaurant in Esteli, Nicaragua that resembles a cantina. It has open spaces where customers can dine in fresh mountain air.

DISH – Chicharrónes – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

WHAT IS IT?

Chicharrón is a Spanish dish that has gained worldwide popularity. It is made of fried pork rinds or belly.

WHERE IS IT?

Carnicería Valle De Flores
Esteli, Nicaragua

NOTES – Anthony Bourdain Nicaragua

Carnicería Valle De Flores is a butcher shop in Esteli that also serves pork dishes to customers, like chicharrón and chanfaina, a Nicaraguan dish made of pig organs simmered in spicy tomato sauce with achiote.

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