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Local food map
San Salvador (El Salvador)
Hotels in area
Street food
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
450kcal
18gProtein
32gCarbs
29gFat
5gFibre
200 gServing
* Per serving · 200 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
Pastelitos de Maíz
How to order / say it
Say it
Pastelitos de Maíz — [Pahs-teh-lee-tohs deh Mah-ees]
Order
I would like some Pastelitos de Maíz, please.
Locally
Me gustaría pedir unos Pastelitos de Maíz, por favor.
Say locally
Fried corn pancakes filled with seasoned meat.
Why try it?
Popular in San Salvador street markets, these corn cakes are a must-try for anyone who wants to experience the city's street food culture. They reflect the importance of corn in local cooking.
How it tastes
Crispy on the outside, these cakes are filled with juicy, seasoned meat that's savory and slightly spicy. The corn offers a subtle sweetness, balanced by the hearty meat filling.
Origin & History — first documented: 1890
Dating back to the 19th century, these savory cakes were developed as a portable meal for local workers. They quickly became street food legends in San Salvador.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🌾 400 g cornmeal
- 🥩 300 g ground beef
- 🧄 100 g onions
- 🥕 50 g green peppers
- 🧂 5 g cumin
- 🫒 200 ml oil
Method
- 1 Season meat with onions, peppers, and cumin.
- 2 Shape cornmeal dough around the meat filling.
- 3 Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
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