South America's cuisines are distinctive since they vary greatly from country to country. No countries in this region have dishes as easily recognizable as those from China and Japan.

South America's cuisine usually lies under the endless shadow of popular Mexican food. Because of the popularity of rice and beans in Latin American cuisines, Mexican food is often the first choice when thinking about Latin American cuisines, according to Nomad Girl.

However, you can only get an authentic taste of the food across South America's diverse nations by traveling there. Sure, beans and rice are always in the pantry, but every country has its specialties and ways of preparing them.

READ NEXT: Latin America: Top 5 Most Exotic Foods  

Best Food Countries in South America

Here are the best three food countries in South America and the dishes you should try here.

Brazil

Many Brazilian restaurants have adopted an Americanized menu and cooking style, which may shock visitors. Major cities, like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, are where you will find most of the country's best restaurants. However, authentic "local" Brazilian cuisine can be found in many local markets in Brazilian towns and cities.

Go-to dishes typically consist of grilled meat or fish over rice with a black bean soup and a green salad. A mainstay in every South American country, empanadas are a must-try. But be sure to try them all, as they vary significantly from place to place. Brazilian empanadas are small, crispy, and filled with meat. It is a terrific introduction to South American specialties.

Chile

Chilean cuisine is distinctive because it has yet to be fully defined. Since Chile is a wealthy and developed nation, it has a wide variety of excellent restaurants serving food from all over the world. There are many Chilean foods that you can try, but chorrillana is a different story.

Popular throughout Chile, chorrillana, a dish consisting of French Fries, was first created in Valparaiso. It is typically ordered as a bar snack to share a few beers in a restaurant or pub. While standard today, a fried egg on top was not part of the original recipe. It has different versions depending on the region.

But typically, this dish is a plate of fries topped with fried onions and a variety of meat. Each bar adds its unique touches and personality to the dish, according to Chilean Food & Garden. Variants of this dish include chorizo, or others served with sausages, onion, and egg. At first glance, Chilean chorrillana may look like a Poutine, but it does not have any cheese or gravy in the traditional recipes.

Peru

Many well-known cuisines found worldwide have their roots in Peru, one of the few South American countries with a clearly defined cuisine, so visitors to the area gush over the cooking.

Since Lima is frequently referred to as the food capital of South America, taking the time to explore all the fantastic eateries and markets available to you is worth it. Peru is famous for exporting ceviche, a dish that originated in the country's coastal regions but has now spread worldwide.

Ceviche is a type of seafood meal where raw fish is marinated in a mixture of lemon or lime juice. According to Southern Living, fish is served after curing with various seasonings such as cilantro, onions, and peppers. Ceviche is a simple dish where fresh fish and bright flavors and ingredients are on display.

READ MORE: Brazil Congress Reelects Leaders Backed by Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva 

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: King of Ceviche - HUGE FLOUNDER Peruvian Food at Chez Wong in Lima, Peru - From Mark Wiens