Explore Guides
Local food map
Cartagena (Colombia)
Hotels in area
Dessert
Vegetarian
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
320kcal
5gProtein
50gCarbs
12gFat
3gFibre
150 gServing
* Per serving · 150 g. May vary.
Allergens
🌾 Gluten
🥚 Eggs
Banana Cake
How to order / say it
Say it
Torta de Plátano — [TORT-ah deh PLAH-tah-noh]
Order
I'd like the banana cake, please.
Locally
Me gustaría la torta de plátano, por favor.
Say locally
A rich, sweet cake made with ripe plantains.
Why try it?
Torta de Plátano encapsulates the Caribbean's tropical abundance and the creativity of its people. It's a symbol of comfort and is often enjoyed as a dessert or snack across Cartagena.
How it tastes
The cake is moist and sweet, with a soft texture and a pronounced banana flavor, accented with cinnamon and vanilla aromas. It's often served warm, which enhances its aromas and taste.
Origin & History — first documented: 1920
The practice of using plantains in baking can be traced back to African influences, blended with European baking techniques. Torta de Plátano has been a household favorite in Cartagena since the early 20th century.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 g ripe plantains
- 🌾 200 g all-purpose flour
- 🥛 100 g butter
- 🥚 3 eggs
- 🍯 150 g sugar
- 🧂 1 tsp cinnamon
- 🧂 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- 1 Mash plantains and cream them with sugar and butter.
- 2 Gradually add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla extract.
- 3 Mix in flour and cinnamon until combined.
- 4 Pour into a baking pan and bake until golden.
More from Cartagena
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Mojarra Frita
mo-HAH-rrah FREE-tah
Fried whole fish seasoned with spices
© Wikimedia Commons
Soup
Vegetarian
Mote de Queso
moh-teh deh keh-soh
Cheesy yam soup seasoned with herbs.
🌱
Side dish
Vegan
Bollo Clean
Bollo Limpio
boh-yo leem-pyo
Steamed corn dough commonly served as a side dish or snack.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Fish & Seafood
Fried Fish with Coconut Rice
Pescado Frito con Arroz de Coco
pes-KA-do FREE-toh kon ah-ROHS dee KOH-koh
Fried fish served with coconut-flavored rice, often accompanied by green bananas.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Vegetarian
Arepa de Huevo
ah-ray-pah deh weh-voh
Fried corn dough filled with an egg.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Posta Negra Cartagenera
POH-stah NEH-grah kah-tah-hen-EHR-ah
Colombian black beef dish cooked with Worcestershire sauce.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Posta Cartagenera
Poh-stah Kar-tah-heh-neh-rah
Beef roast soaked in a spicy, sweet tamarind and panela sauce.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Vegetarian
Buñuelos
Boon-YEH-los
Deep-fried cheese balls popular during holidays.
🌿
Dessert
Vegetarian
Enyucado
en-yoo-kah-doh
Traditional yuca cake infused with coconut, often enjoyed as a dessert.
© Wikimedia Commons
Soup
Meat
Sancocho de Gallina
San-ko-choh day Gah-yee-nah
A hearty chicken soup with plantains, yucca, and corn.