Jopará

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Jopara (also spelled yoopará or jopará) is a hearty and deeply nourishing soup, typically built on a base of soaked locro corn and beans, simmered slowly with beef, onions, garlic, bell pepper, tomato, tomato paste, and a bay leaf. Pumpkin is added mid-cook, bringing creaminess and a touch of sweetness. The soup is finished with fresh cilantro (kuratū), green onions, and crumbled Paraguayan cheese, lending herbal brightness and a salty, creamy finish. It perfectly embodies the country's mestizo heritage—a rich culinary blend of Indigenous Guaraní and Spanish influences. The word jopara comes from Guaraní, meaning "mixture" or "blend," and this concept is reflected both in the dish's diverse ingredients and in Paraguay's unique linguistic culture, where Spanish and Guaraní often coexist in daily speech. Jopara holds a special place in Paraguayan folklore and is traditionally served on October 1st, during the celebration of Karai Octubre ("Mr. October"). According to legend, this mythical figure roams the land with a bag of misfortune, punishing households not prepared with a meal. As a result, families across the country cook and share abundant bowls of jopara to ensure good fortune and ward off scarcity as October—the lean month—begins.