Mercado la Vega — Attraction in Recoleta

If you never been to a South American market, this is the one to visit. It is big. It is organized (if you've been to Mexico City, theirs it is the biggest, but total chaos and not so clean, unlike this one. Clean and very Chilean, calm!!!) I came in for the experience, watching the stall owners proudly displaying their spices, vegetables and fruits, no shouting, just the Chilean singing voice. It is a picture Paradise. Then I headed to the very end where the food stalls area. A maze of tables, but go for the colors. I chose green tables. The little kitchen had an award plaque on the name, I guessed for good higiene. Now, the food. Oh wow. Did taste amazing and at very good price. You can also tell it was cooked with fresh ingredients and plenty spices. Not chili. Tried their National dish Cazuela, a must! (In the right place like here). Explosion of flavors. Followed the cheese fondue prawns that came set on fire! To a tourist, they made me feel very special. So everyone else clapping the hands. I think it was called Chupe de Guatita. Keep some coins as the loo needs 700 pesos. Mind you the lady water lent me 1000 pesos to go quickly before the food, and wash the hands. How nice is this. Well...

The market is everything and anything you'd expect in a street market. It is not spotless, but it's clean and tidy. I always go down first through Av. Santa María, past Plaza Tirso Molina, to the Tirso Molina market, which is the fruit market. The fruit there is much cheaper, but beware of the people that won't let you choose what you want to buy. Always ask before taking the fruit to see if you can pick it. The key word is 'Puedo elegir' pronounced: /poo-eh-doh -eh-leh-here/. But I don't buy there at first. I just use it as a less dirty and odorless way to get to La Vega. I take a street called Salas that takes you to the back of the market where the veggies are cheaper than through the main entrance. Ask and look well at the prices and the produce before you decide to buy. I love going there because of the freshness they offer. Veggies from La Vega last even two weeks in my fridge. I love going there... It takes me roughly 2 hours to do my shopping there every two weeks! I buy Mozzarella Quillayes cheese, vegetables, nuts and fruits. Viva...

An underrated market. One can find literally everything local and exotic here. Great places especially if you wish to make jams! That’s where all the local restaurant owners come to buy their foods. Great Venezuelan and Colombian fast food stalls. Even real Coffee shops. Cannot miss this place if you are...