Chilean Paila Marina is a traditional and beloved dish in Chilean cuisine, known for its rich flavors and fresh ingredients. It typically includes an assortment of seafood, such as fish, shellfish, and mollusks, in a flavorful broth and various vegetables.
“Paila Marina” refers to the cooking vessel to prepare or serve the soup. A ‘paila’ is a shallow, wide metal pan or cooking pot.
The exact recipe for Paila Marina can vary depending on the region and the cook’s personal preferences. However, some common ingredients include fish (such as hake or conger eel), shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, and other herbs and spices.
The seafood is often cooked in a broth, creating a rich and savory base for the soup. It is typically served hot and garnished with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for added zest.
Paila Marina is known for its hearty and comforting nature, making it a popular choice, especially in coastal areas where fresh seafood is readily available. It is often enjoyed as a main course, particularly during cooler months when a warm, satisfying soup is incredibly appealing.
Paila Marina is one of the most traditional soups consumed in Chile on the coast. It is also popular in the Mercados (Central Markets) to recover after a long night of partying. Paila Marina can be made with any shellfish and fish available that day. Its raw cousin is the Mariscal.
In the USA, I use the mix of seafood they sell at Costco or in supermarkets in the frozen products.
Typically, Paila Marina doesn’t include potatoes, but I grew up in a potato-lover family. If you want to be authentic, omit them from the recipe.
On this blog, the recipes come from Chilean home cooks who feed their families daily with what is available in the market and what is affordable. So, the understanding of what seafood means is flexible for each of these dishes:
- Salsa Margarita Chilean Seafood Sauce
- Chupe de Mariscos Seafood Casserole
- Empanadas de Mariscos Seafood Empanadas
- Machas a la parmesana (Chilean Razor Clams)
Paila Marina Chilean Seafood Soup
A comforting soup.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion
- 2 potatoes, optional
- 1/2 red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 pound firm white fish or salmon
- 1 pound of shrimp
- 1 pound of fresh (or frozen) mussels or 250 g of canned mussels
- 1/2 pound of squid rings (calamari)
- 3/4 white wine cup
- 5 cups broth of fish or vegetables
- Oil, salt, and pepper
Instructions
- Wash the mussels carefully (if you use fresh mussels).
- Cut the onion, peel the potatoes, chop them into wedges, cut the red pepper into cubes, and cut the fish into cubes.
- In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the potatoes, wine, and broth. Cook until the mixture boils, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the fish and mussels. Cook for another 5 minutes. Discard any mussel that hasn’t opened. The fish and potatoes should be cooked.
- Add the shrimp and squid. Cook until the shrimp changes color.
- Serve hot, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and accompany with lemon wedges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Chilean
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 4.3 g
- Sodium: 1233.9 mg
- Fat: 7.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3.6 g
- Protein: 46.9 g
Very good recipe. Thank you Pilar…this far exceeded my expectations.
I’m so glad, it’s a very tasty hearty soup. Thanks for coming back to comment.
Hola Pilar! Voy a hacer esta caldillo para Año Nuevo, con un rico pisco sour y vino blanco, mi marido y yo vamos a estar sólidos, no niños, no nietos
Me encantan tus recetas. Gracias por compartirlas.
Te encuentro muy parecida a mi hija en tu forma de ser.
Esta haciendo harto frío aquí en mi Toronto, ha llegado a -16 y después sube un poco.
Con mucho cariño. Un abrazo y Felices Fiestas con tu familia.
Herta
Que la pasen bien Herta. Que frío, acá en Houston vamos a tener una Navidad templada 22 grados y con sol de invierno. Abrazos.
Hola Pilar, Here sin Toronto is ver y cold and gloomy this time of thr year, so I intentend to make this soup again for New Year’s Eve (just forma my husband and myself no children, no grandchildren) with a pisco sour and maybe champagne. Wish me luck.
Saludos!
Feliz Año Nuevo para tí y tu familia!!
The above recipe looks exactly like the soup my Chilean neighbour cooks for me and which is delicious. She told me to look up the receipe on the internet which I did…..and I intend to make it and will let you know how it turns out (I shall get her to try it also.) many thanks Maureen Smith.
Wonderful. I hope you both approved.
I love thids soup we are making it today and it smells delicious. Thank for posting these and your other recipes. I need to make the meatballs.
Gracias!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes. Thanks for commenting.