In Bizarre Foods Dominican Republic, part of the Delicious Destinations series featuring Andrew Zimmern, the host and his crew visited numerous restaurants in the city, showcasing a variety of unique and delicious dishes. Here is a convenient list of all the addresses and dishes highlighted in this exciting exploration of Dominican Republic’s food scene.
READ MORE: ALL-INCLUSIVE HOTELS: WHAT TO DO… AND WHAT TO AVOID
DISH – Lechon
WHAT IS IT?
One of the things to do in the Dominican Republic is to eat lechon. Lechon is a roast pig dish slow-cooked over a wood fire. It starts with marinating the pig in a blend of fresh sour orange juice, garlic, and celery, seasoned with oregano and black pepper. The pig is then opened up and the sour orange marinade is poured into it. The marinade is spread inside the whole pig before the pig is speared with a wooden spit. It is tied with wire to keep it from sliding off while being cooked. Then, handfuls of salt and cups of marinade are added into the pig before it is sewn up. It will then be cooked until the skin becomes crispy.
READ MORE: THE BEST LECHON IN CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES – TOP-6
WHERE IS IT?
Lechonera Kelvin
Av Sarasota esq
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Lechonera Kelvin opened in 2008, turning a once or twice a year treat into everyday eating. Here, they serve lechon topped with squares of skin and surrounded by limes for seasoning.
DISH – Chimi
WHAT IS IT?
Chimi is made of beef, pork and sausage patties dressed with shredded cabbage and carrots, and layered with a sauce Dominicans call “chimichurri”. To make the patty, beef, pork and Dominican longaniza are ground and seasoned with oregano, garlic and sour orange. Patties are then grilled. The “chimichurri” sauce is made with a base of mayo, ketchup and mustard and cooks can add different variations. To build the sandwich, sauce is layered on a toasted bun, followed by shredded cabbage and carrots, and patty. The meat is slathered with more sauce and topped with green tomato, red onions and a drizzle of hot sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Food Truck Town
Av 27 de Febrero 299
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Food Truck Town is a fusion food truck known for its chimis. Its version of chimi has honey and a few shots of Mama Juana (local liquor made with rum made and roots) in it.
ANDREW ZIMMERN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DISH – Sancocho
WHAT IS IT?
Sancocho is a savory stew of meats and vegetables with a garnish of avocado. It is traditionally cooked on a fogón – a wood and charcoal oven. The dish starts with a vegetable broth. Then, several cuts of meat, plantains, yucca, corn, and cooked pumpkins are added. They are cooked for about 30 minutes until the dish thickens. It is best served steaming hot, garnished with avocado. Rice and white lime on the side are served on the side.
WHERE IS IT?
El Conuco
Calle Casimiro de Moya #152
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
El Conunco is the home of the 7-meat sancocho. Its sancocho has small Dominican hen, chicken breast, chicken thighs, pork loin, smoked pork, beef shoulder and beef brisket.
ANDREW ZIMMERN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DISH – Locrio
WHAT IS IT?
Locrio is a dish that combines seasoned rice with meat and vegetables. The dish starts with vegetable broth. Then, onions, bell pepper and meat are sautéed. It is seasoned with bija powder made with achiote seeds. Next, tomato paste, Mediterranean capers and olives are added into the mix. Then, broth and rice are gradually added and simmered until cooked.
WHERE IS IT?
Travesías
Av. Abraham Lincoln 609
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Longaniza is the meat used in the locrio at Travesías. The restaurant is no longer in business.
DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DISH – Quipes
WHAT IS IT?
Quipes is a popular Dominican street food derived from the Levantine kibbeh. It is a dish of deep-fried bulgur wheat dough, shaped into ovals and stuffed with meat. Goat meat is typically used in Dominican quipes.
WHERE IS IT?
Baladi
Calle Virginia de Peña
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
At Baladi, quipes were filled with lamb meat, consistent with the Levantine tradition. Quipes were served with hot sauce and labneh or Lebanese yogurt. The restaurant is now reported to be closed.
BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DISH – Pastelon
WHAT IS IT?
Pastelon is a Dominican dish that resembles lasagna. It is made with beef and vegetables baked between layers of cheese and plantains. The first layer is made of mashed plantains, followed by a layer of beef and vegetables, then a layer of queso de hoja. Another layer of mashed plantains is added before being topped with a layer of sliced cheddar-like cheese.
WHERE IS IT?
Jalao
Calle el Conde, Ciudad Colonial
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
At Jalao, the ground beef they use in their Pastelon is mixed with bell peppers, onions, Spanish olives and a type of sweet chili pepper called aji. Their pastelon is served over homemade tomato puree.
READ MORE: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
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