In the 2025 Taste Atlas list of the 100 best dishes globally, Lechona ranked first with a rating of 4.78 out of 5, based on nearly 400,000 valid reviews from food experts, chefs, and diners about over 11,000 renowned dishes from around the world.
The main ingredients of lechona include a whole pig, cleaned and deboned, roasted in a clay oven for about 12 hours. Inside the pig, it is stuffed with meat and peas. The meat is seasoned with a mixture of spring onions, garlic, dill, black pepper, salt, and chili powder.
Lechona is typically served in small pieces, placed on banana leaves. It is a dish commonly prepared during large gatherings, special events such as Christmas, New Year, festivals, and weddings, due to its time-consuming preparation.
Once the pig is roasted, the chef divides it into portions, placing it on a black ceramic plate, covering it with banana leaves. The roasted pork is tender, fragrant, and crispy on the skin, served with salad, corn bread, and rice.
The name "lechona" means "suckling pig," but traditionally, people use pigs weighing up to 100 kg to roast or bake. The amount of roasted meat is enough to serve 800-900 people at once.
Originating from the Tolima region in Colombia, Lechona is characterized by its spicy flavor. Over the years, the stuffing ingredients and seasonings have evolved to suit local tastes. Today, it reflects a blend of African, indigenous, and Spanish culinary influences. Depending on the region or family, the recipe for lechona may vary slightly, mostly in the seasoning and the stuffing ingredients.
Visitors to Colombia can easily enjoy this dish at local restaurants. Food enthusiasts have recommended three of the best places to try lechona: Restaurante Boquerón in Ibagué, Tolima, Lechonería Donde Jimmy in Bogotá, and Lechonería Donde Pacheco, also in Bogotá.
Other dishes in the top 2025 list include Italian pizza, Brazilian picanha steak, Algerian Rechta noodles, Thai curry beef stew, Argentine Asado, and Turkish Çökertme kebabı.
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