9 places to try arepas, the Venezuelan-Colombian pocket taking over L.A. ^34.2%

Los Angeles Times - By Katerina Portela - 2/16/2026, 11:00 AM

Hasty Generalization 43.4% - Recency Bias 19% - Overconfidence Bias 18.6%

In the streets of Cartagena, Colombia, cumbia musicians beat tambora drums and blow into flautas, women in red, yellow and color-coded ruffled dresses whisk by, and sweating food vendors push carts, their arepas sizzling. Among the music and striking color of Cartagena, my dad handed me my first arepa. Arepas are the most essential dish... more