Disappointed with Food in Argentina

[Goata]

I live in Mendoza and almost never eat meat at restaurants, I get my fill on Sundays at the family asado and the occasional asado with friends. We usually eat Peruvian, fish of some kind or Asian when we eat out in BA or Mendoza. We also like to go to a local winery in Mendoza called Clos de Chracras for Rabbit or Chivo. Much pricier now.

 

[jorisw]

On average I find the food here terrible as well. It’s all some form or another of meats, bread, sugar and cheese.

Asian kitchens, particularly comida por peso (take out buffets) are where I go to get my vegetable dominated meals. I’m not a vegetarian per se, I just need more than meats, carbs and saturated fats.

Really hard to find nice spicy food too.

 

[Happy Camper]

Argentinas food is so boring, almost on par with English cuisine. They think that killing a cow, cooking it with fire and adding a pinch of salt is something they discovered. Also Flan is French AF.

 

[Lanick]

Argentinas food is so boring, almost on par with English cuisine. They think that killing a cow, cooking it with fire and adding a pinch of salt is something they discovered. Also Flan is French AF.

English cuisine or the food in England? English cuisine is far better imo. You can find any food in the UK. Over here they can’t even make a proper burger or pizza. Apart from that, they don’t know the food business; I’ve found a place with great pizza and the manager said they make masa madre bread everyday. So I went there the next morning and the girl brought me a 2-3 day old spongy bread wrapped in a cling film. And she was completely ok with that and found my refusal quite weird with a “ what are you talking about man, this masa madre!” I had many similar experiences where they don’t know the restaurant business.

 

[Redpossum]

On average I find the food here terrible as well. It’s all some form or another of meats, bread, sugar and cheese.

Asian kitchens, particularly comida por peso (take out buffets) are where I go to get my vegetable dominated meals. I’m not a vegetarian per se, I just need more than meats, carbs and saturated fats.

Really hard to find nice spicy food too.

Being from San Diego, I fully agree that spicy food is very hard to find here. God, I miss Mexican food so much it breaks my heart. I can offer a couple suggestions -

Peruvian restaurants make spicy food. It will probably come to the table very mild, because they are accustomed to their Argentine customers crying like a little girl if it's even a tiny bit spicy, but you can ask. And they will usually have a squeeze bottle of a yellowish sauce that will seriously clear your sinuses if you use a generous amount.

There used to be a Peruvian place on Fitz Roy called El Peruanito Rey that was very good, but I haven't been there since before the plandemic, so I don't know if it's even still open. As a general rule, if there's a hugely fat Latina in the kitchen, the food is probably good.

There's also a tiny but very good Korean restaurant on Esmeralda (second block east of 9 de Julio) just north of Esmeralda. The name is Fan Fan Song, or maybe Fan Song Song. If you get your food to go it will be very mild, even if you asked for spicy, see the reason above. But if you eat there, and ask for hot sauce, they will give you a little dish with some evil red hot sauce that will cauterize your tonsils. I used the whole first dish and asked for more. Again, they are used to customers who think black pepper is spicy, so they may caution you elaborately about how hot it is, but just politely insist that you are American, not Argentino.

 

[Paige55]

Being from San Diego, I fully agree that spicy food is very hard to find here. God, I miss Mexican food so much it breaks my heart. I can offer a couple suggestions -

Peruvian restaurants make spicy food. It will probably come to the table very mild, because they are accustomed to their Argentine customers crying like a little girl if it's even a tiny bit spicy, but you can ask. And they will usually have a squeeze bottle of a yellowish sauce that will seriously clear your sinuses if you use a generous amount.

There used to be a Peruvian place on Fitz Roy called El Peruanito Rey that was very good, but I haven't been there since before the plandemic, so I don't know if it's even still open. As a general rule, if there's a hugely fat Latina in the kitchen, the food is probably good.

There's also a tiny but very good Korean restaurant on Esmeralda (second block east of 9 de Julio) just north of Esmeralda. The name is Fan Fan Song, or maybe Fan Song Song. If you get your food to go it will be very mild, even if you asked for spicy, see the reason above. But if you eat there, and ask for hot sauce, they will give you a little dish with some evil red hot sauce that will cauterize your tonsils. I used the whole first dish and asked for more. Again, they are used to customers who think black pepper is spicy, so they may caution you elaborately about how hot it is, but just politely insist that you are American, not Argentino.

Try Aurelia in Palermo for Mexican. It's divine. A bit on the expensive side these days but I try to get there every few months as a treat for my tastebuds. I adore their fish tacos, birria quesadilla. I've not had one bad thing there so far and have worked my way through most of the menu. Oh, and the tres leches cake. Honorable mention.

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[PatriotsFan]

On average I find the food here terrible as well. It’s all some form or another of meats, bread, sugar and cheese.

Asian kitchens, particularly comida por peso (take out buffets) are where I go to get my vegetable dominated meals. I’m not a vegetarian per se, I just need more than meats, carbs and saturated fats.

Really hard to find nice spicy food too.

My favorite Asian kitchen is Z+T Restaurant on Sarmiento.
Opens at 11AM and closes at 3:30PM The food is always fresh, good options and friendly staff.
I believe that after 2 or 2:30pm they sell what is left at half price.

 

[daveholman]

Question about spicy food - I grew up in a Mexican restaurant, so I can make my own...if the ingredients are available. I've heard from others that jalapeno or habanero peppers and such are hard to find. Any tips which markets might carry them? Or will I have to grow my own? lol
Likewise, are there any Korean or Thai markets that might stock items imported from those countries?

 

[lunar]

I've heard from others that jalapeno or habanero peppers and such are hard to find.

I believe I saw canned jalapeño and habanero peppers at the big Coto next to Abasto Shopping.

 

[Redpossum]

Question about spicy food - I grew up in a Mexican restaurant, so I can make my own...if the ingredients are available. I've heard from others that jalapeno or habanero peppers and such are hard to find. Any tips which markets might carry them? Or will I have to grow my own? lol
Likewise, are there any Korean or Thai markets that might stock items imported from those countries?

The usual answer when someone is looking for something unusual like that is Barrio Chino, but who knows.