Gallo pinto
Fried rice and beans for breakfast
Think of it as: Like leftover rice and beans that went to finishing school
"Spotted rooster" — and not a rooster in sight.
What does it taste like?
Nutty beans and toasty rice, with a gentle sweet-tangy kick from Salsa Lizano.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy and hearty
What is it?
Rice and black beans fried together with onion, peppers and cilantro. It's Costa Rica's classic breakfast, and neighboring Nicaragua claims it too — the two countries still argue over who made it first.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Breakfast plate with fried eggs, fried cheese, sour cream and sweet plantains.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇨🇷Costa Rica
CapitalSan José
Populationabout 5.2 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesMedical devices, Eco-tourism, Bananas, pineapples and coffee
Famous peopleFranklin Chang-DíazNASA astronaut who flew to space seven times
HelloHola (Spanish)
CurrencyColón
And JapanCosta Rican coffee beans are a common sight in Japanese coffee shops.
Fun factIt abolished its army in 1948.
The flag🇨🇷 Blue-white-red-white-blue stripes; the red is said to come from the French flag.
From Tokyoabout 13,180 kmstraight line, Tokyo to San José
Getting thereAbout 20+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April, the dry season. Also tryCasado (set plate)Olla de carne (beef and vegetable soup)Chifrijo
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April, the dry season. Also tryCasado (set plate)Olla de carne (beef and vegetable soup)Chifrijo
🇨🇷 Sounds & life in Costa Rica
HolaHello（Hola (Spanish)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemNoble patria, tu hermosa bandera
MusicMarimba music Wooden, ringing music on the national instrument
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer
Keylor Navas (soccer, star goalkeeper) World HeritageCocos Island National Park and more National animalWhite-tailed deer National flowerGuaria morada (orchid) FestivalFiestas de Palmares (January)
MusicMarimba music Wooden, ringing music on the national instrument
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer
Keylor Navas (soccer, star goalkeeper) World HeritageCocos Island National Park and more National animalWhite-tailed deer National flowerGuaria morada (orchid) FestivalFiestas de Palmares (January)
Ingredients
- Cooked rice 2 bowls
- Cooked black beans 1 cup (plus a splash of cooking liquid)
- Onion 1/2
- Red bell pepper 1/2
- Cilantro, a little
- Salsa Lizano or Worcestershire 1 tbsp
- Oil 1 tbsp
Can't find it? No Salsa Lizano? Worcestershire sauce gets you close.
How to make it (one way)
- Finely chop the onion and pepper
- Sauté them in oil
- Add the beans and a splash of their liquid and simmer briefly
- Add the rice and sauce and fry everything together
- Stir in the cilantro and serve
Get the ingredients (ad)
Salsa LizanoAmazon