Paisa food traditionally mild but El Hueco vendors near Plaza Botero have different standards than Parque Lleras restaurant salsas. Empanadas with green ají range from tourist-friendly to crying-in-public volcanic depending on which cart you choose south of cathedral

Safe bets arepa con queso patacones fresh mango with sal. Medium risk empanadas with vendor green sauce. Danger zone anything downtown vendor specifically warns about or when locals buying same empanadas look genuinely concerned watching you order extra ají

Guarapo vendors add chili powder if requested at 1600 cop. Start small because tourists literally cry over what Medellín locals call mild heat here. Red sauce usually hotter than green despite appearances around Carabobo pedestrian zone