World Sandwich Day is coming soon! To prepare for this wonderful day, and following on from our article about the most popular sandwiches from Taiwan, let us look at the most popular sandwiches from Paraguay – and remember, in the Americas, a “sandwich” can take on a wider range of forms than it does in other continents!
Sandwich de Lomito
The lomito is one of, if not the, most popular sandwiches from Paraguay. It is found almost everywhere, but more especially in food stands. It is made with tender grilled beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, ham, and a fried egg. You can also add mayonnaise, chimichurri, or barbecue sauce to it. The lomito is often served in a soft bun or baguette-style bread, depending on the restaurant.
Sandwich de Milanesa
The milanesa is made of breaded and fried beef or chicken cutlets. The sandwich is typically served with lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and sometimes cheese. You may also find other variations using pork or fish, like the surubí. This sandwich is very popular in this part of South America, and the Italian cuisine inspires it.
Churrasquito
The churrasco is a hearty sandwich featuring thin slices of grilled beef, often accompanied by chimichurri sauce, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce on a toasted bun. The steak is typically perfectly grilled and sometimes topped with fried egg or cheese. It is inspired by sandwiches from Brazil and Argentina.
Sandwich de Vitel Tone
The vital tone is a famous sandwich from Paraguay around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The dish also has a season, and it starts now! It consists of veal and tuna with a mayonnaise-based sauce.
Bondiola
Bondiola is a type of pork shoulder that is slowly cooked until tender and juicy. It is often served in a sandwich with pickled onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. Some versions also include cheese or a fried egg. It is very similar to a pulled pork sandwich you would get in the United States.
Choripán
The choripán is a South American variation of the popular hot dog. It is made with chorizo sausages, bigger than the regular sausages in the North American dish. These sausages contain beef and pork. You often eat them with chimichurri sauce.
Sandwich de Empanada
The sandwich de empanada, or the sandwinada, is an empanada in bread that is eaten like a sandwich. Some might eat it with extra sauce, some without. The main ingredients are then in the empanada, which usually contains ground beef, spices, and, for some, white eggs. This is one of the most unique sandwiches from Paraguay, very Paraguayan!
Other sandwiches from Paraguay
So there you have it – in addition to all the North American chain restaurant options of hamburgers and hot dogs, these are the sandwiches you would get if you were going to Paraguay. Sandwiches in the country are influenced by indigenous people, Ibero-Americans, and immigrants from the Middle East, which makes them unique in their diversity. Most ingredients can easily be found in ordinary supermarkets, meaning you can make some of the popular sandwiches from Paraguay at home.
Now excuse us, but we need to go eat a sandwich!
