Trying to think of all the traditional Brazilian foods upon which I chowed down. I know I must be forgetting some things. I can’t remember the name of that grits-like goop, heavy on the garlic, that is served with Mocqueca.
Mocqueca
I make this at home in Brooklyn! Had it in Cabo Frio with shrimp and dorada, it was delicious.
Coxinha
Greasy, deep fried, chicken croquettes. Not my favorite - among street food - but I had to try.
Farorfa
Cool, grainy texture like dry sand, or wet sand when there’s a sauce with it. Strangely I really liked it. More like a filler.
Pão de queijo
I saw two people in line ordering these so I gave it a try. The cheese is questionable and kind of gnarly when it is room temperature, with a not so pleasant, snot-like consistency. These are hugely popular, I learned.
Arroz de griega: white rice with raisins, some other stuff, and pink meat chunks. I can’t get down with pink meat.
Pasteles
More deep fried treats. I had a cheese one and a shrimp one. Pretty awesome when fresh out of that deep fryer. You wrap a paper napkin around it to keep your fingers from greasing up.
Chopp
Fresh and refreshing, unfiltered/unpasturized draft beer. It’s served at the Botequins, which are bars open to the street all around town. I was originally excited to go into them and grab a drink, but after observing the crowd I thought better of it. They are not places for women. It’s a man-scene in there.
Brazilian Sushi: yikes. Limited options, best to stick with sashimi because they don’t quite have the hang of sushi rice.
Sandwiches for breakfast: pink meat party.
Acai and guarana shake: icey, sugary antioxidant power sold on the street and ingested like coffee.
Brazilian Espresso: badass and delicious. Strong, as they say.
Picahna: a different cut of meat than I’ve had. Brazilians slice their cows differently than we do.
Still didn’t get Churrascaria - but I can get that here. And I had tons and tons of fresh coconuts. My favorite.
