OSA PENINSULA RESTAURANTS
THE UNIQUE TASTE OF THE OSA
DISCOVER THE FRESHNESS OF THE OSA PENINSULA
Nestled within the lush Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, the region’s culinary landscape is a delightful reflection of its tropical climate and cultural heritage. Influenced by a rich tapestry of indigenous, Spanish, and African cultures, the cuisine of Osa Peninsula is a harmonious fusion of flavors and ingredients.
At the heart of many meals in Osa, you’ll find the beloved combination of rice and beans, a staple dish cherished across the globe. On the Osa, it graces the table as a flavorful and nourishing side dish, often complemented by succulent meats and fresh vegetables.
Given its proximity to the vast Pacific Ocean, it comes as no surprise that seafood is a highlight of the Osa Peninsula’s culinary offerings. A diverse array of fish, shellfish, and lobster thrives in these coastal waters, delighting palates with their exquisite tastes. Grilled or fried to perfection, seafood stars in various dishes, from hearty soups to delectable stews.
Plantains, a distinct variety of bananas, also claim a prominent role in Osa’s gastronomy. These versatile fruits serve as a starchy staple, and locals expertly roast, fry, or boil them to create mouthwatering additions to their meals.
The ever-popular tortillas add another dimension to Osa’s cuisine. These thin, flatbreads are cherished throughout the region and offer a delightful canvas for an assortment of fillings, such as savory meats, delectable seafood, and an abundance of fresh vegetables.
Among the delightful seafood offerings, ceviche stands out as a cherished delicacy. This zesty dish features raw fish marinated in citrus juices, complemented by an array of spices and seasonings that create a tantalizing symphony of flavors.
For a true taste of Costa Rican tradition, one must indulge in casados. These beloved dishes epitomize the country’s culinary heritage and feature a delightful medley of rice and beans, accompanied by a rich assortment of meats, vegetables, and spices.
These examples are merely a taste of the culinary wonders that the Osa Peninsula has to offer. As you savor the vibrant dishes, you’ll also uncover the region’s colorful traditions, lovingly woven into the fabric of its rich natural history and cultural heritage. A culinary journey through the Osa Peninsula promises to be an unforgettable experience for any food enthusiast seeking to explore the delicious fusion of flavors that this tropical paradise has to offer.
FRESH
Restaurants on Osa Peninsula
WHOLE FOODS ARE AS NATURE MADE THEM
ENJOY
Puerto Jimenez
Restaurants on Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula Soda
Sodas are what Costa Ricans call their local Costa Rican restaurant and are normally small, ‘mom and pop’ open air restaurants. They serve only traditional Costa Rican food and it’s the best place to experience eating out like a local! Most of the Osa Sodas are name after the woman who run them. And this is often where you find the best casado.
In Puerto Jimenez we have a service called ExPress. They are small delivery companies that will get you almost anything you need and deliver it to your location for a resonable charge.
The Casado
The casado is a Costa Rican meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish and so on.
Read More about Casados
The term may have originated when restaurant customers asked to be treated as casados, since married men ate such meals at home. Restaurants on Osa Peninsula, as well as the sodas, all have something special when it comes to the casado.
Bocas
Bocas or boquitas, are Costa Rican-style appetizers, usually consisting of a small snack item or portion of a dish typically served at a main meal.
Read More about Bocas
Bocas are a cultural item as much as a food item and an experience in and of themselves. The restaurants on tha Osa Peninsula often have a special boca depending on season.
Ceviche
Also know as cebiche, seviche, or sebiche is a South American seafood dish that originated in Peru and has been adopted by Costa Rica.
Read More about Ceviche
Typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, most commonly lemon or lime, but historically made with the juice of bitter orange. Many of the restaurants on Osa Peninsula serve fresh ceviche as Puerto Jimenez lies on the Golfo Dulce with access to the Pacific Ocean and ‘ocean to plate’ seafood.
Plantains
Restaurants on Osa Peninsula serve local plantains as they are a stable food in the tropical regions of the world, ranking as the tenth most important staple food in the world.
Read More about Plantains
Mature, yellow plantains can be peeled like typical dessert bananas; the pulp is softer than in immature, green fruit and some of the starch has been converted to sugar. They can be eaten raw, but are not as flavourful as dessert bananas, so are usually cooked. When yellow plantains are fried, they tend to caramelize, turning a golden-brown color. They can also be boiled, baked, or grilled over charcoal, either peeled or unpeeled.
Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pinto has a literal meaning of “spotted rooster”, is the national dish of Costa Rica. It consists of rice and beans stir-fried together in a pan to create a speckled appearance.
Read More about Gallo Pinto
It is usually served for breakfast along with scrambled or fried eggs and sour cream or cheese. Seasonings in the mixture of rice and red or black beans include cilantro, red pepper, onion, celery, and Salsa Lizano.
Outside Our Village of Puerto Jimenez
Restaurants on Osa Peninsula
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Puerto Jiménez
Península de Osa, Costa Rica