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Authentic Food Quest Authentic Food Quest
  • About
    • What is Authentic Food Quest
    • Work With Us / Media
    • Contact Us
  • Destinations
  • Eat
    • Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Street Food
    • Restaurants
  • Drink
  • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Food Itineraries
    • Books
    • International Food
    • Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Accommodations
    • Cooking Classes
    • Food & Wine Tours
    • Food Traveler Tips
    • People in Food
Dec 21
Chilean desert food Valle de la luna

Food of The Desert: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

  • Rosemary
  • 34 Comments
  • Chile, Dishes
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When you think about a desert, what comes to mind? I’m pretty sure local produce or original cuisine are not the words you spontaneously came up with. When friends recommended us to visit the region, we decided to make a stop. When top chef, Rodolfo Guzman encouraged us to explore the cuisine of the Atacama Desert, we made a point to discover the Chilean desert food specialties.

The Atacama Desert is known worldwide for 4 things – being the driest desert in the world, the astronomy, Rally Dakar and the flowering desert. Unlike more familiar deserts, like the Sahara desert in Africa and the Mojave in California, the Atacama is actually a pretty cold place, with average daily temperatures ranging between 0°C and 25°C. The annual rainfall (or lack of it) defines a desert, but that doesn’t mean that it never rains in Atacama. Every so often a warming effect over the Pacific Ocean around the equator changes the weather. Earlier this year the desert blossomed after some unusual rain.  

 

Table of Contents

  • Creating a base in San Pedro de Atacama
  • Star Gazing or Astro-tourism
  • Exploring the Desert:
  • Valle de la Luna Y de la Muerte (Moon & Death Valleys)
  • Food of The Desert
  •  
  • Patasca A Surprising Chilean Desert Food
  • Rica Rica – A Popular Desert Herb 
  • Pepino Dulce A Fruit For Chilean Desert Food
  • In Summary
    • Locations Mentioned
  • Book a Tour

Creating a base in San Pedro de Atacama

Our journey to the desert began with a 24-hour bus ride from Valparaiso. We changed buses in Calama and arrived exhausted in the middle of the desert in the little town of  San Pedro de Atacama.

View San Pedro de Atacama in a full screen map

The town of San Pedro de Atacama is a quaint and touristy town. There is an endearing charm to the slow pace, dusty streets, and adobe brown colored buildings. The pictures below are examples of the architecture of the town. The Church of San Pedro de Atacama (Iglesia San Pedro de Atacama) is reportedly the second oldest church in Chile and it was built in the seventeenth century.

Chilean desert food San Pedro de AtacamaStreet of San Pedro de Atacama
Food of the desert Church of San Pedro de AtacamaChurch of San Pedro de Atacama

While our primary focus is the quest for authentic food, we also took the time to enjoy the local sites and attractions. Before we dive into the Chilean desert food, there are two activities you don’t want to miss during your stay in San Pedro de Atacama.

 

Star Gazing or Astro-tourism

Atacama is one of the world’s foremost stargazing centers, with major international observatories. The ALMA Observatory, the world’s largest microarray telescope, a $1.5 billion behemoth that’s more powerful than the Hubble telescope opened up in Atacama recently. The dryness, altitude and  clear skies with an absence of light pollution means the stars and planets of the southern sky are there for all to see.

Alain, a quirky frenchman and his Chilean wife have set up an impressive set of 10 telescopes, along their property just outside of San Pedro. They operate under their company Space Obs (San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations) and offer tours in English, French and Spanish (we took the tour in French) for about CLP 20,000 or (USD $28.62) per person.

The almost three hour tour started at 11pm and was broken up into three parts. The first part was about learning about the sky with our naked eye. Using his laser pointer, Alain pointed out stars, constellations, planets and galaxies. With lots of imagination we saw the entire constellation of Orion, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky and more.  

The second part of the tour was using the giant telescopes to see the stars and the moon. Space Orbs has the largest park of telescopes of any public observatory in South America, and one of the reasons we chose to do this tour. Highly recommend it. Below are pictures of the telescopes and the moon.

Food of the desert Star GazingStar Gazing with the Telescopes
Food of the desert star gazingTelescope viewing
Food of the desert Start gazingTelescope viewing
Food of the desert MoonView of The Moon

The tour ended with hot chocolate inside and a Q&A session. The warm drink was much appreciated. In the blistering heat of the day, it’s hard to imagine how cold it can get in the desert. We had a great night star gazing and enjoyed Alain’s humor and wit.

 

Exploring the Desert:

Valle de la Luna Y de la Muerte (Moon & Death Valleys)

In San Pedro de Atacama, you will find many tours and expeditions to explore the surrounding volcanoes, geysers, salt flats, moon-like valleys and remote villages. Rather than take an organized tour, we prefer to get off the beaten path and opted to explore the valleys on mountain bikes. Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) is 6 km away from San Pedro and Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) is 16 km away, both accessible by bike. Feeling the desert heat and seeing the landscape by bike  is definitely the way to go. However, be prepared for the heat. Drinks lots of water and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently.

The gigantic sand dunes and natural sculptures in the Valley de la muerte were nothing short of admirable. The extraordinary landscape, colors and texture that resemble the moon’s landscape make valle de la luna a geologic spectacle. See the short video here on the landscape of valle de la luna. Fun fact: NASA and other international collaborators use the desert to test robotic vehicles that are to be used on Mars.

Food of the desert VAlle de la muerteValle de la Muerte
Food of the desert Valle de la LunaEntrance at Valle de la Luna
Food of the desert Valle de la LunaAnfiteatro at Valle de la Luna
Food of the desert Valle de la LunaOn the road at Valle de la Luna

Food of The Desert

While you may not think of the desert as having food specialties, there are some surprising specialties we learned about and experienced. We found out about the 3 Chilean food specialities that we highlight here from three main sources: visits to the farmers market, recommendations from locals and asking local cooks at restaurants.  Please note, there are other specialties that are in the Andes region and that we wrote about when we visited the North of Argentina such as: llama meat, quinoa, lucuma and papas andinas (native purple potatoes). The Northern part of Chile and Argentina (including Bolivia) all share a border and the Andean culture. Our goal here is to highlight and bring awareness to the Chilean desert food specialities unique to the region.

 

Patasca A Surprising Chilean Desert Food

This dish is native to the Atacama people (indigenous people of the Atacama desert and altiplano (high plain) region). It is a hot soup or stew that is made of corn, potatoes, pork, beef and onions. The most interesting part about this meal is the type of corn used. This dish is made with the white capia variety that is unique to this region. We had patasca at Las Delicias de Carmen restaurant which specializes in authentic Chilean cuisine.

Food of the desert Patasca San Pedro de Atacama Authentic Food QuestPatasca

The ingredients in the Patasca really stand out. The dish is slow cooked allowing the beef and pork to fall off their bones. The word Patasca refers to “broken corn” which is a reference to bloated kernels of corn which swell and burst open while stewing.

Although a soup for a Chilean desert food might seem counter intuitive, it s the perfect remedy for the cold desert nights. You will not see this dish everywhere, so head out to Las Delicias de Carmen to try it.

We also had the opportunity to spend some time chatting with Carmen, the chef and owner and learned how she prepares the Patasca and about other specialities of the region.

Food of the desert at CarmenCarmen and AFQ

Rica Rica – A Popular Desert Herb 

Rica Rica is an antiplanic medicinal herb that grows abundantly in the Andes highland north of Chile and into Bolivia. This herb is characterized by its aroma, strong essence and medicinal properties. It’s scientific name is “phil deserticola Alcantholippia” and belongs to the Verbenace family.

It is known to be a local homeopathic remedy for treating an upset stomach as well as problems of the heart, kidneys, altitude sickness and circulation of the blood.

Food of the desert Rica ricaRica Rica plant

Rica Rica is most often consumed as a tea, ice-cream and pisco sour. We had it as a tea when we first arrived to San Pedro de Atacama to adjust to the high altitude (2,407 meters). We enjoyed rica rica ice-cream to cool off from the heat. And we had the rica rica pisco sour which we highly recommend.

Food of the desert Rica RicaRica Rica ice-cream
Food of the desert Rica RicaPisco Sour Rica Rica

Pepino Dulce A Fruit For Chilean Desert Food

We discovered this unique fruit on our visit to the farmers market and immediately asked about it. We were told it was a pepino dulce  or Apple Melon or Melon Pear in English. It is native to Andean region, including Chile and Peru. The name pepino was given by a Spanish explorer who first saw the fruit in Peru. Pepino is Spanish for cucumber. The fruit is related to the solanaceae family, that includes potato, eggplant and other products.

Food of the desert Pepino DulcePepino Dulce

The fruit is oval shaped and has yellow with purplish stripes. The skin is thin and the flesh is yellow, juicy and soft. We enjoyed the fruit and found it really refreshing in the heat. It tasted like a blend between a melon and a pear. When cut open the center of the fruit has many flat, round and edible seeds.  Sweet and juicy, this is a Chilean desert food and an experience not to be missed.

Food of the desert Pepino insidePepino Dulce Inside
Authentic Food Quest Page_Break

In Summary

Chile is a surprising culinary destination. On our quest, we discovered local and authentic specialties as we journeyed all the way from the south to the north of the country. The local Chilean dishes and unique Chilean drinks vary in different parts of the country.

The food specialties are unique and dependent on the natural climate of each specific region. We now understand why there is no single defining dish of Chile, but rather several local specialties.  

If you are planning a visit to Chile, San Pedro and the Atacama Desert are a must-see stop. Beyond the natural and surprising landscapes, the unique Chilean desert food is not to be missed.

Put Chile on your travel map and be prepared to be surprised!

Locations Mentioned

Space Obs Caracoles 166, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

Restaurant Las Delicias de Carmen Caracoles 360, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

 

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Rosemary

Rosemary, ex-marketing and advertising strategist, is a digital nomad and content creator at Authentic Food Quest. Since 2015, with her partner, Claire, they travel the world in search of the best local food experiences. Their mission is to help you enjoy the best local specialties on your travels or via recipes in your home kitchen. Favorite country for food: Peru. Favorite local dish: Bacalhau. Favorite way to keep fit: Running. Rosemary is the chief content writer and strategist on Authentic Food Quest. She is also co-author of Authentic Food Quest Argentina and Authentic Food Quest Peru, available on Amazon.

    34 Comments

    1. Karyn Jane
      December 27, 2015 at 7:26 am · Reply

      I’m really intrigued by the Rica Rica and it’s many qualities! I love to hear about local herblore and the various medicinal uses for plants.

      • Authentic Food Quest
        December 27, 2015 at 7:08 pm · Reply

        Thanks Karyn for your comments. We also enjoy learning about local herbs. As we come across more on our travels, we will be sure to highlight them.

    2. Diana
      January 18, 2016 at 3:36 pm · Reply

      Wow! So amazing. Looks like you guys had so much fun. They have so many different fruits I have never heard of.

      • Authentic Food Quest
        January 18, 2016 at 11:29 pm · Reply

        Thanks so much Diana. We were really surprised by the desert. We didn’t have any expectations and we found the desert and food quite interesting. The pepino dulce was our favorite. If you can find it in your area, try it out. It is delicious!

    3. Fabiola Rodriguez
      January 18, 2016 at 5:37 pm · Reply

      Wow! The church is so lovely, and the landscape is otherworldly! We should all visit Chile

      • Authentic Food Quest
        January 18, 2016 at 11:30 pm · Reply

        You are so right Fabiola. If you have a chance to visit Chile, jump on it. It is an amazing country with lots of diversity. The food and wine is amazing as well. The desert is particular and a unique experience! Cheers!

    4. christine
      February 12, 2016 at 5:10 am · Reply

      The pictures are beautiful! and you seem always so enthusiastics. Really makes me want to go, see and experience all of it myself!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        February 12, 2016 at 11:37 am · Reply

        Thanks so much Christine. We are indeed having a great time exploring authentic food in South America. The desert is special, do check it out if you can . Thanks:)

    5. Adrienne Lee
      March 16, 2016 at 7:34 pm · Reply

      What an adventure….a 24 hour bus ride? Thanks for sharing detailed info about the food of this desert region. And your photos are wonderful.

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 16, 2016 at 9:02 pm · Reply

        Thanks Adrienne for your comments. Indeed the 24 hour bus ride was an experience. Fortunately, the buses for long haul travel are not that bad. Glad you liked the post and the pictures. Is there anything that surprised you about the food from the desert?

    6. Lyssie
      March 16, 2016 at 8:04 pm · Reply

      This is incredible! You’ve really explored all of Chile it seems like. Chile (and actually South America in general) is definitely on my bucket list, and this pushes it to the top. What a wonderful post, thank you for sharing your adventures!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 16, 2016 at 9:05 pm · Reply

        Great to hear Lyssie that you will be making it to South America in the near future. It is truly an incredible continent with lots to do and eat 🙂 So glad you enjoyed reading the post. Keep this blog as a reference on what to eat in the region 🙂 Thanks for your comments.

    7. Vicki
      March 17, 2016 at 4:23 am · Reply

      This looks like an amazing adventure with a lot of interesting and yummy food! This is my kind of trip – and from the smiles on your faces you looked like you enjoyed it a lot!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:12 pm · Reply

        Thanks Vicki for your comments. We really enjoyed visiting the desert. It was a first for the both of us as well as stargazing. The experience and food was enjoyable and unique as well. Glad you enjoyed reading the post!

    8. Tania Mukherjee
      March 17, 2016 at 8:30 am · Reply

      I love everything which is astronomy related, visiting South America is quite a high priority in my life and I am a big foodie. You can well understand how much I was enjoying reading this post. Thank you for writing this!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:15 pm · Reply

        That’s wonderful to hear Tania. So glad you enjoyed reading the post and the star gazing experience. As an astronomy lover, do visit San Pedro de Atacama…you will love the experience and of course the food. Thanks for your comments!!

    9. Lauren of Postgrad & Postcards
      March 17, 2016 at 9:31 am · Reply

      Chile is on my list! While deciding, how about I indulge in a pisco sour? lol

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:18 pm · Reply

        Chile is a fascinating country and so diverse. Be sure to read about our journey from Santiago to Valparaiso: https://www.authenticfoodquest.com/the-quest-for-chilean-seafood-from-santiago-to-valparaiso/ You will have plenty of options for yummy Pisco sours. Let us know when you go. Thanks for your comments!

    10. Gabby
      March 17, 2016 at 11:06 am · Reply

      BEAUTIFUL! Great pictures, and great writing. So cool that you got to meet the chef/owner and chat with her.

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:30 pm · Reply

        Thanks so much Gabby. So glad you enjoyed reading the post and the pictures. The chef was very open and happy to share about the local delicacy -Patasca. We appreciate your comments!

    11. virginie
      March 17, 2016 at 12:08 pm · Reply

      So much things I have never heard about to discover in your post! It’s an awesome destinations (would like a lot the “star gazing”). Thanks 🙂

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:33 pm · Reply

        Thanks Virginie for your comments. So glad you enjoyed reading about our adventures and in particular the star gazing experience. So glad you learned a little more about Chile and the desert. Hope you can visit some time soon. Cheers!

    12. Wanderlustingk
      March 17, 2016 at 1:32 pm · Reply

      I LOVED this article and Pinned it. I love seeing about unique foods and I have never heard of a lot of these. I’ll need to go!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 17, 2016 at 2:35 pm · Reply

        Thanks so much and appreciate you pinning this post. If South America is in your travel plans, please do not miss out on visiting The Atacama desert. It is truly a fascinating place to discover. The food is amazing too. Please let us know when you do visit Chile! Cheers!

    13. Gina
      March 17, 2016 at 5:13 pm · Reply

      The food looks so delicious and up until now, I had no idea that this desert existed. The food looks good and whoever thought llama would be delicious too! I would love to see the stars without light pollution.

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 18, 2016 at 12:56 am · Reply

        Thanks Gina for your comments. So glad you enjoyed reading about the food from the desert. We also found the llama quite surprisingly delicious 🙂 Stargazing without light pollution is quite amazing. Hope you can get a chance to visit San Pedro de Atacama sometime soon. Cheers 🙂

    14. Cassie
      March 18, 2016 at 1:50 am · Reply

      Wow what a trip! That fruit looks amazing 🙂 I love tasting all the new and exotic foods when I travel as well… hopefully I’ll make it to Chile one day!!

      • Authentic Food Quest
        March 18, 2016 at 10:35 am · Reply

        Thanks Cassie for your comments. Glad to hear you also seek out exotic fruits on your travels and that you enjoyed reading about the fruits of the desert. Happy travels. Cheers!

    15. 6 Famous Chilean Drinks to Experience Like A Local
      April 29, 2016 at 9:23 am · Reply

      […] first tried this drink at a local fair in the South of Chile and again on the streets of San Pedro de Atacama. We found it refreshing though a bit odd with the softened wheat. The sweetened syrupy juice from […]

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      July 2, 2016 at 7:21 pm · Reply

      […] quest to discover the authentic food from the desert took us to San Pedro De Atacama in the north of Chile. San Pedro de Atacama is a small touristy […]

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      August 26, 2016 at 1:48 pm · Reply

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      April 6, 2017 at 3:26 pm · Reply

      […] Give Chilean cuisine a chance. See our previous articles about discovering Chilean seafood and Chilean wine and do indulge in any of these popular Chilean dishes.  Up next, the Atacama desert. Follow our quest and see what food we discover in the driest desert in the world. […]

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