Corn · Griddle Pancake

Cachapa

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It's made from blended fresh corn kernels, not dried cornmeal — the one detail that separates it entirely from its cousin, the arepa.

A thick, slightly sweet pancake made from blended fresh corn, cooked on a flat griddle called a budare until lightly charred, then folded around a generous layer of soft white cheese. Roadside stalls called cachaperas sell them folded and ready to eat.

Why it's made this way: Made from fresh corn rather than the dried, nixtamalized masa used for arepas, cachapas are tied to the corn harvest, and their natural sweetness with melting cheese makes them a favorite roadside snack.