Vori Vori is the world’s best dish. This is according to Taste Atlas, the online platform specialising in traditional cuisine. The traditional Paraguayan soup topped the ranking of the 100 best dishes globally, scoring 4.64 out of 5.0. This honour comes after two years of rising recognition for the humble cornmeal dumpling soup that has fed Paraguayan families for generations.
Taste Atlas based its ranking on 453.720 user ratings across 11.781 dishes from around the world. According to the platform, Vori Vori surpassed iconic dishes, including Italy’s Pizza Napoletana (4.58) and Tajarin al tartufo bianco d’Alba (4.52).
A remarkable journey to the top
Vori Vori’s rise was not overnight. In 2023, Taste Atlas named Vori Vori the best soup in the world. In 2024, Vori Vori maintained that distinction. As we reported last year, the dish had cemented its position as a culinary standout. This year marks a significant threshold: Vori Vori became the highest-rated dish globally, across all categories.
The recognition reflects more than culinary appreciation. This achievement showcases the quality of traditional Paraguayan gastronomy on the international stage.
What is Vori vori?
For readers unfamiliar with this dish, Vori Vori consists of small balls made from cornmeal and grated Paraguayan cheese. These dumplings are cooked in an aromatic broth with chicken or beef and vegetables. The dumplings absorb the broth while maintaining their shape. This creates a distinctive thick consistency without additional thickeners.
The soup’s roots run deep in Paraguayan history. Vori Vori’s development is linked to centuries-old Guaraní culinary practices. Historical records from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries document the use of corn-based doughs shaped into dense dumplings. This technique was used to stretch ingredients during periods of limited supply.
The name reflects the Guaraní language and tradition. “Vori” means ball in Guaraní. When repeated as “vori vori,” the word indicates abundance. Vori Vori remains a staple across rural and urban Paraguay. The meal is served year-round but particularly favoured during cooler months.
Where to experience Vori vori
Three establishments in Asunción have earned recognition from Taste Atlas. People celebrate Ña Eustaquia, Bolsi, and Lido Bar as the most iconic places to eat vori vori. These restaurants preserve the meal’s authentic preparation and flavour.
For those wishing to try Vori Vori across Paraguay, the Secretariat of National Tourism has documented 65 locations. The establishments are spread across eight departments: Asunción, Central, Paraguarí, Misiones, Cordillera, Alto Paraná, Itapúa, and Ñeembucú.
A dish with official cultural status
Beyond international rankings, Vori Vori holds significance in Paraguay’s own cultural identity. In 2017, the Paraguayan government designated Vori Vori as Intangible Cultural Heritage, alongside locro and jopara. This official recognition protects not only the recipe but also the traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations.
The Municipal Junta of Asunción has further honoured the dish by establishing 14 April as Día del Vori Vori (Day of Vori Vori).
Vori Vori and Paraguay’s broader culinary recognition
Vori Vori’s success reflects growing international appreciation for Paraguayan cuisine. Paraguayan gastronomy ranks 83rd in Taste Atlas’s assessment of the world’s 100 best cuisines. This is based on 590.228 user ratings across 16.357 dishes. Other Paraguayan dishes have also gained recognition. Chipa, a traditional cornmeal and cheese bread, achieved 46th place in Taste Atlas’s ranking of the world’s best breads.
Paraguayan restaurants are establishing themselves internationally. Rincón Guaraní in London is the first Paraguayan restaurant in the United Kingdom. I Love Paraguay in New York serves Paraguayan cuisine to American diners. These venues introduce international audiences to Paraguay’s culinary traditions.
In 2025, Paraguayan gastronomy received additional international exposure. A masterclass was held in Japan led by communicator and businesswoman Mika Nishijima. Attendees had the opportunity to taste vori vori directly.
What this means for Paraguay
For a nation not always prominent in international gastronomy discussions, Vori Vori’s achievement carries profound significance. The dish demonstrates that traditional, authentic cuisine can achieve global recognition without compromise or modification. Vori vori succeeded not because it was repackaged for international audiences, but because it presented its true character on the world stage.
The soup’s status as the world’s best dish serves as recognition of Paraguay’s culinary heritage and the knowledge embedded in traditional recipes. This achievement invites the world to discover not only vori vori but the broader richness of Paraguayan food culture.
