Countries with the Most Similar Food to Honduras

The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied. 

The Most Similar Cuisines to Honduran Food

Honduras is a Central American country. The five countries with the most similar food to Honduras were all once colonized by Spain. As a result, the majority of their people speak Spanish and are Catholic. In addition, four of the five nations border the Caribbean Sea. Corn is an especially popular staple food in this region.

1. El Salvador is on the southern border of Honduras. The pupusa, the undisputed national dish of El Salvador, is equally cherished in Honduras. Pupusas in Honduras are often filled with cheese, beans, and chicharrón, like their Salvadoran counterparts. Moreover, casamiento, a combination of rice and black beans, is a staple in both countries, served alongside grilled meats, plantains, and a light salad.
2. Nicaragua also is on the southern border of Honduras. The popular nacatamal in Nicaragua is akin to the Honduran tamale, featuring a similar preparation method and a mix of savory fillings. Gallo pinto, a mixture of rice and red beans, holds a special place in both nations’ breakfast tables. Additionally, the shared love for plantains.
3. Guatemala is directly to the west of Honduras. The culture of both countries was greatly influenced by Mayan civilization. Their cuisines are characterized by the heavy use of corn, beans, and various spices. Like in Honduras, tamales are an essential part of their diets, where they are often wrapped in banana leaves and prepared with various fillings.
4. Venezuela is in South America, but the country’s food still has many similarities with the food in Honduras. Although rice is a much bigger part of the typical Venezuelan diet, corn is the most eaten starch in both countries. Both countries have cuisines that are influenced by indigenous, African, and European traditions.
5. Mexico and Honduras both use corn to make tortillas and tamales. Beans and rice are staple foods in both countries. These are commonly served as side dishes or incorporated into various main dishes. While Mexico is more well known for its tacos, Honduras is better known for its flour tortillas, known as baleadas.

Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Honduras

The Least Similar Cuisines to Honduran Food

Four of the five countries with the least similar food to Honduras are located in Africa. In addition, with the exception of the Solomon Islands, these countries are landlocked. Corn based foods and chicken are not nearly as widely consumed in these countries as they are in Honduras.

1. South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa. Cassava is the most commonly eaten staple food there, however the country eats a lot of sorghum as well. Porridge is one of the most popular dishes in the country.
2. Solomon Islands is a tropical archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. Most of its people live near the coast, so seafood is common in the country’s cuisine. Sweet potatoes, yams, and coconuts are all popular ingredients in the food there.
3. Central African Republic is a former French colony that is located in the middle of Africa. Cassava and yam are two of the most commonly eaten staple ingredients in the country. Furthermore, eat is less often consumed in Central African Republic.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo  is a large country located in the middle of Africa that is mostly tropical rainforest. Cassava is the dominant staple crop in the country, unlike in Honduras, where wheat and corn are more prevalent.
5. Chad is a landlocked country in the middle of Africa that is mostly Muslim. Like some other countries on this list, it was once a French colony. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains there. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel.

Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Honduras

Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories

Honduras’ Most Common Food Ingredients

Protein: Chicken, Beef
Fruit: Banana, Orange
Vegetable: Bean, Cabbage
Starch: Corn, Wheat

Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.