Explore Guides
Local food map
San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua)
Hotels in area
Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
580kcal
38gProtein
22gCarbs
38gFat
2gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Vaho
How to order / say it
Say it
Vaho — [VAH-hoh]
Order
I'll have the Vaho, please.
Locally
Por favor, voy a tomar el Vaho.
Say locally
A traditional steamed dish of beef, plantains, and yuca.
Why try it?
Vaho is a staple in San Juan del Sur, representing the blend of indigenous and Creole influences in the Nicaraguan coast.
How it tastes
The dish is rich and hearty with the savory flavor of beef complemented by the sweetness of ripe plantains and the mild texture of yuca.
Origin & History — first documented: 1850
Vaho has its origins in the mid-19th century, when local communities combined traditional and new ingredients. It became an iconic dish through family gatherings and local celebrations.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥩 500 g beef brisket
- 200 g ripe plantains
- 🥕 200 g yuca
- 🧄 100 g onion
- 🧄 20 g garlic
- 🥕 100 g bell pepper
- 🍋 100 ml orange juice
- 🧂 5 g salt
Method
- 1 Marinate beef with orange juice, garlic, and salt.
- 2 Layer beef, plantains, and yuca in a pot with onions and peppers.
- 3 Add a small amount of water, cover with banana leaves, and steam for 2 hours.
More from San Juan del Sur
🐟
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Pescado a la Tipitapa
pes-cah-doh ah lah tee-pee-tah-pah
A simple yet flavorful fried fish specialty.
Soup
Fish & Seafood
Sopa de Mariscos
soh-pah deh mah-ree-scos
A flavorful soup with assorted seafood.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Nacatamal
nah-cah-tah-mal
A hearty tamale filled with pork and vegetables.