Mofongo
Garlicky pounded fried plantains
Think of it as: Like garlic mashed potatoes made from crispy plantains
Mashed potatoes? Never heard of them.
What does it taste like?
Starchy, toasty plantain with loads of garlic and rich pork. Dense and satisfying.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureDense and sticky
What is it?
Fried green plantains pounded in a wooden mortar (pilón) with garlic and crispy pork cracklings. It's shaped into a dome and topped with broth or a shrimp stew.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Molded into a dome and served with shrimp, meat stew or chicken broth poured over.
Watch it
EnglishTap to play (YouTube)Where is it from?
🇵🇷Puerto Rico
CapitalSan Juan
Populationabout 3.2 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesPharmaceuticals, Tourism, Electronics
A US commonwealth territory, not a country
Famous peopleLuis FonsiSinger of the global hit "Despacito"Roberto ClementeBaseball star known for his humanitarian work
HelloHola (Spanish)
CurrencyUS dollar
Fun factResidents are US citizens, but can't vote for president while living on the island.
The flag🇵🇷 Same design as Cuba's flag with the colors reversed, a nod to their shared independence movements.
From Tokyoabout 13,410 kmstraight line, Tokyo to San Juan
Getting thereAbout 17+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April — drier and outside hurricane season. Also tryArroz con gandulesPernil (roast pork)Alcapurrias (fritters)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeDecember to April — drier and outside hurricane season. Also tryArroz con gandulesPernil (roast pork)Alcapurrias (fritters)
🇵🇷 Sounds & life in Puerto Rico
HolaHello（Hola (Spanish)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemLa Borinqueña
MusicReggaeton Rap over Latin rhythms — a global dance-floor sound
Listen on YouTube SportBaseball
Roberto Clemente (baseball, 3,000 hits with the Pirates) World HeritageLa Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site and more National animalCoquí (tiny frog, island symbol) National flowerFlor de maga FestivalFiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (January)
MusicReggaeton Rap over Latin rhythms — a global dance-floor sound
Listen on YouTube SportBaseball
Roberto Clemente (baseball, 3,000 hits with the Pirates) World HeritageLa Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site and more National animalCoquí (tiny frog, island symbol) National flowerFlor de maga FestivalFiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (January)
Ingredients
- Green plantains 3
- Garlic 4 cloves
- Chicharrón or bacon 50 g
- Olive oil 2 tbsp
- Salt, a pinch
- Chicken broth, to serve
- Oil for frying
Can't find it? No plantains? Fried potato and sweet potato, mashed together, get close.
How to make it (one way)
- Peel the plantains and cut into 2–3 cm rounds
- Fry at medium heat until tender
- Pound garlic and salt in a mortar, then add oil
- Add hot plantains and chicharrón and mash together
- Press into a bowl, flip onto a plate and pour broth or stew over
Get the ingredients (ad)
green plantainsAmazon