As it turns out, I actually needed more than 4 posts to cover everything there is to know about our delicious Venezuelan Arepas. So here are some more ideas for delicious arepa fillings. Some of them even have unique names that sort of describe the filling or stuffing in one way or another. This is probably because we Venezuelans would take too long at an Arepera (Arepa Restaurant) ordering an arepa, trying to decide which of the 20 different fillings to get inside of it. So then, if we say “Una de Pabellón”, de Arepera knows what we mean.
De Pabellón
De Pabellón
The “Pabellón”, it the most traditional dish after the Arepas. Somehow, someone decided to combine the two most traditional Venezuelan dishes into one, making an arepa stuffed with the second dish, Pabellón. Pabellón is a word for “pavilion”, but it can also mean the national flag, an ensign, or even a tent. The Pabellón Criollo, the traditional Venezuelan dish is made up of shredded (or pulled) beef, black beans, rice and fried plantains, as the most basic version of it. Some people, depending on the part of the country, also add a plain arepa on the side, some avocadoes, some delicious grated white cheese and even a fried egg. Of course that would be way to much stuff to put inside an Arepa, so the basic Arepa de Pabellón simply includes shredded beef, black beans, and fried plantains.
La Dominó
Just like the traditional game of domino’s black and white chips, this arepa has a black and white stuffing or filling. The Dominó Arepa includes black beans and grated white cheese.
La Dominó
La Viuda (The Widow)
This arepa is a plain and empty arepa. Usually served as a “side” to other dishes like the Pabellón Criollo, or a delicious fried egg breakfast.
La Pelúa (The Hairy One)
Don’t panic! This arepa doesn’t have any hair. The filling on this Arepa consists of shredded or pulled beef and Gouda cheese.
La Catira (The Blond One)
This Arepa has more fun! The filling is made up of shredded chicken and Gouda cheese.
La Sifrina (The Snobby One)
This Arepa is too good for you! The filling is the same as the Reinapepiada, but it also has Gouda cheese.
La Rumbera (The Party One)
This arepa is for the 3AM after party munchies. The filling is Pork and Gouda cheese.
La Rumbera
La Musiua (The “Monsier” One)
This arepa is a burger. Literally. It has a burger patty, tomatoes, onions and lettuce, minus the burger buns, inside an Arepa. I have never had this myself, but it just doesn’t sound right.
La Bomba (The Bomb)
This arepa IS the BOMB! Filled with Perico and Black Beans.
La Pata-Pata
Filled with black beans, Gouda cheese and avocado
De Carne Mechada (Pulled/Shredded Beef)
Filled with delicious shredded beef, just like the one served on the Pabellón dish.
De Carne Mechada
De Guasacaca
Stuffed with Guasacaca and white cheese.
De Carne Molida
Just like the name says it; this one is stuffed with ground beef.
De Pernil
Just like the name says it; this one is stuffed with roast pork.
De Pernil
De Jamón y Queso
Just like the name says it; this one is stuffed with ham and cheese.
De Pollo
Just like the name says it; this one is stuffed with pulled chicken.
De Chorizo
Just like the name says it; this one is stuffed with Spanish Sausage or Chorizo.
De Cazón
Just like the name says it, this one is stuffed with Cazón… what is cazón? Cazón is a small shark, and this is one of my favorites because it is a popular one in the town where I was born, Puerto La Cruz.
Arepa Filling Faux-Pau
Do not by any means use any of these fillings in front of a Venezuelan:
– Peanut butter
– Jelly
– Jam
– Ketchup
– BBQ sauce
¡Buen Provecho!
*Thank you to Flickr photographers who share their photos with Creative Commons licenses.
Venezuelan Cooking 