At first glance, chipa and bagels can seem almost interchangeable. Both are round breads, convenient and quick. In a country like Paraguay, where chipa is everywhere and deeply rooted in daily life, it is easy to ask why anyone would look for bagels in Asunción at all. But for many new residents, travellers, and people who grew up with them, bagels are less about replacing chipa and more about familiarity.
Bagels carry different textures, flavours, and food memories, even if they occupy a similar role on the table. Looking for bagels in Asunción? Yes, chipa dominates both culture and availability, but bagels exist quietly alongside it. This article looks at both the history of chipa and the history of the bagel, and where you can find a taste of it in Asunción.
The history of Chipa
The Paraguayan chipa is intrinsic to the country’s cultural identity. Made primarily from cassava flour (also known as mandioca, yuka, and tapioca root), it reflects a culinary lineage that precedes any colonial influence. The Guaraní people initially prepared versions using only ground cassava and fat. Over generations, people added more ingredients, such as lard, eggs, milk, anise, and Paraguayan cheese, to the original recipe. Today, people widely recognise and commonly consume this latest version.
Chipa is traditionally baked in a tatakua, which is a dome-shaped clay oven heated by wood fire. It can be found in restaurants, bakeries, households, especially during Holy Week, or in trucks with vendors blasting automated chipa chipa over megaphones as they navigate down the street. Its significance is such that Paraguay celebrates it annually on 9 August, National Chipa Day.
The history of the Bagel
Bagels, while similar in shape, differ greatly in flavour and texture. Originating in Eastern Europe and later popularised in countries like the United States, they are made from wheat flour, water, salt, yeast, and typically a sweetener. The greatest defining factor is the process of boiling before baking. This is crucial in creating their dense texture and smooth exterior.
In places like the United States, bagels are more than just bread; they are a part of a daily ritual. From New York delis to supermarket shelves, bagels are everywhere, eaten plain, toasted, as a part of sandwiches, or simply smothered in cream cheese. Entire businesses now focus on perfecting them. While less of a homemade item and not as commonly found with street vendors, a bagel is the popular equivalent of the chipa in the United States.
In Asunción, however, bagels remain a niche item. They are not widely available in neighbourhood bakeries, nor are they part of everyday eating habits. Chipa can be a substitute, but nothing truly compares to the nostalgic taste of a bagel. Finding a good bagel often requires seeking out specific cafés that cater to international tastes or modern brunch trends.
Where to find bagels in Asunción
Despite their relative rarity, a handful of spots in Asunción are slowly incorporating bagels onto their menus. These options are the closest thing you will find here to a version of the NY-style bagel, and can help settle a craving:
Che Bagels
This is the closest thing to a true bagel shop in the city. They focus on the bagel itself, offering multiple flavours (plain, sesame, everything-style) and a range of toppings. They aim to replicate the boiling before baking method, which does successfully create the typical dense centre that most local versions miss. This is where to go if you are specifically craving a New York-style bagel rather than just a sandwich.
Musa Café
Musa keeps it simple, typically offering just the classic bagel with cream cheese rather than a full, customisable counter service. The bagel is softer and slightly more breadlike than what might be found in the United States versions, but it is one of the more reliable options.
Café Consulado
Here, the bagel shows up as part of a curated brunch menu. It is offered as a composed sandwich, ranging from cream cheese with guava to sandwiches with prosciutto or pancetta, eggs, or vegetables. The set menu creates a focus on the bagel as a preset sandwich, bringing together carefully chosen ingredients into cohesive meals.
Café Martinez
This café offers two different bagel sandwiches. The bagel itself is more of a lighter bread and has a seeded outside. One sandwich is constructed of salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and arugula. On the other hand, the second sandwich is more reminiscent of a classic breakfast bagel with eggs, avocado, and cream cheese.
Casa Rica
This is a grocery store. Here, people can find more international imports than in a typical supermarket in Asunción, and one of the options is a bagel. The store sells bagels individually, and sesame seed bagels are usually available. In the same grocery store, you can find the classic Philadelphia cream cheese brand to complete the standard bagel experience.
Tradition holds strong
Even as these cafés introduce bagels to their menus, chipa remains unmatched in accessibility and cultural importance. For visitors who miss bagels, however, Asunción still offers a small but growing selection. While bagels may be a staple elsewhere, especially in the United States, they can be difficult to find here. This list of five cafes can offer provisional comfort to those who miss the flavours from home.
Check The Asunción Times City Guides for more information, such as late-night food spots.
