The Dominican Street Food You Have to Try

If you find yourself in Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, Samana or Guayacanes, you will find little stations that sell fish and fried treats called yaniqueques. Yaniqueques are a must-try - a salty fried cornmeal flatbread, eaten plain or with fried fish. They are deliciously satisfying: crunchy, greasy - and if you add ketchup it will change the whole experience.

Next up: chimis. Chimis are a Dominican street-food version of a burger, and most vendors make their own burger patties and salad. Chimis are juicy and tasty, best eaten hot so the slice of cheese melts as you go. You’ll find vendors parked on the streets around towns, and after a while you’ll be able to recognise the sweet and tangy smell of the chimi cart from a block away. Usually packed during weekends and nights after people leave the clubs, chimis are a must-try after a night out partying.

While in the Dominican Republic you can’t not try the iconic Presidente beer, and the most Dominican beer snack to have with your Presidente is chicharrón. This crunchy, salty, pork rind has the right amount of everything to go with your beer. They also go well with fried plantain tostones or fried sweet potato. Drizzle on some lemon or hot sauce and the chicharron will go from humble pork rind to your new favorite greasy snack.

Near beaches and main avenues, there are always one or two vendors selling fresh coconut water, usually served in a foam cup with ice and sugar. It’s a refreshing drink, and it tastes even better if you add some rum. In the city of Puerto Plata, you can find coconut water stands all along the Malecon or Boulevard.