Sancocho
Panama's chicken-and-yam cure-all soup
Think of it as: Like chicken noodle soup's tropical cousin
Hangover? Doctor's orders: a big bowl.
What does it taste like?
Gentle, savory chicken broth thickened by melting yam, with a fresh herby lift.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSilky broth, tender chicken
What is it?
Chicken and ñame (yam) simmered slowly with herbs until the broth turns thick and silky. It's Panama's national dish and the soup people swear by for hangovers and colds.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Served with white rice on the side to dunk. Made in big pots for weekends and family gatherings.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇵🇦Panama
CapitalPanama City
Populationabout 4.6 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesPanama Canal, Banking and logistics, Tourism
Famous peopleRubén BladesSalsa singer and actor
HelloHola (Spanish)
CurrencyBalboa (US dollars also used)
And JapanJapan is one of the top users of the Panama Canal.
Fun factThe canal links the Pacific and Atlantic — and the "Panama hat" is actually from Ecuador.
The flag🇵🇦 Split into quarters: red and blue for the two political parties, white for peace.
From Tokyoabout 13,570 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Panama City
Getting thereAbout 20+ hours (with connections)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJanuary to April, the dry season. Also tryArroz con polloCarimañolas (cassava fritters)Patacones (fried plantains)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJanuary to April, the dry season. Also tryArroz con polloCarimañolas (cassava fritters)Patacones (fried plantains)
🇵🇦 Sounds & life in Panama
HolaHello（Hola (Spanish)）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
AnthemHimno Istmeño
MusicTípico Accordion-led Panamanian folk music
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer and baseball
Mariano Rivera (baseball, legendary Yankees closer) World HeritageArchaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá and more National animalHarpy eagle (national bird) National flowerHoly Ghost orchid (dove orchid) FestivalCarnival (around February)
MusicTípico Accordion-led Panamanian folk music
Listen on YouTube SportSoccer and baseball
Mariano Rivera (baseball, legendary Yankees closer) World HeritageArchaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá and more National animalHarpy eagle (national bird) National flowerHoly Ghost orchid (dove orchid) FestivalCarnival (around February)
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken 600 g
- Ñame or white yam 500 g
- Onion 1
- Garlic 2 cloves
- Oregano 1 tsp
- Culantro or cilantro 1 bunch
- Salt to taste
Can't find it? Culantro → cilantro. Ñame → white yam or Japanese mountain yam.
How to make it (one way)
- Rub the chicken with salt, garlic and oregano
- Brown the chicken with onion in a pot
- Add plenty of water and simmer 30 minutes
- Add peeled, chopped yam and cook until it breaks down and thickens
- Stir in chopped culantro and season with salt