It’s hard to deny Austin has some of the best tacos in the country. And they’re everywhere! Before moving here, tacos were a once-in-a-while treat for me, and now they’re a part of my weekly–and sometimes daily–diet. But there is an amazing meal that took me a little longer to discover: arepas! Yes, tacos will always be great, and I’m glad they’re popular cuisine here. But in this article, I’ll shed some light on the arepa, the taco’s under-appreciated cousin.

What is an arepa? It’s a patty, or cake, made from ground corn. The ground corn is mixed with water and salt to make a dough, and can either be fried, baked, or grilled. Arepas are normally eaten as a savory dish with beans, meat, and/or cheese. They’re typical to the cuisine in Venezuela and Colombia, but are enjoyed widely throughout Latin America and the world.