Popular foods of Panama and how we locally source our ingredients to make them.

Creating a restaurant to serve our multicultural guests over the years has been an undeniably fascinating experience. Given our remote location and stubbornly passionate desire to create everything from scratch and as farm to table / local as possible has created a kitchen that is definitely fun to be a part of, most certainly a ton of work but even more so, culturally insightful beyond anything I could have imagined.

We cook this way because it's healthier for us, our guests, and the jungle. Like in the images above, our guests get to experience where our food comes from. What's even cooler is that the kids learn how to respect the animal and why, they learn how to prepare their food, and you know what? They dig it.

Mexican food is hands down my favorite food and the theme of our restaurant. It's an intensely complex food that encompasses all different types of dishes from tacos, to soups, birrias, burritos, enchiladas, and oh man...I'm getting really hungry now. Of course, we serve lots of other types of foods too including some traditional Panamanian dishes that our team is proud to share with our guests.

One of our favorites as well as our guests is Sancocho. This brothy soup may be simple with rustic chunks of home grown yams, our own lovingly raised chicken, fresh culantro (wild sister of cilantro), lots of garlic and onions but this Panamanian comfort food can't just be made in any old pot in any old kitchen. It's gotta be done over a "fogon" (open fire), so we built one for our team to create this dish to share with our guests.

Paired with a simple bowl of white rice, it's simplicity is what makes this soup so perfect. Having originated from this part of Panama, it makes sense; all the ingredients easily grow here so you can expect to eat it any time of day. A family tradition, a cure for hangovers, and no matter where you may eat it in the world, it will take you right back to the magical jungles of Panama. Join us for a bowl or two or three. We'd love to cook for you.

Your Friends in Morrillo,

Cari and Ryan Mackey

Owners and Hosts

Morrillo Beach Eco Resort