Managua influence of immigrants and tourists, it is common to find food specialties of the diverse regions of Nicaragua jointly with international ones in Managua. The most common foods include rice, plantain, beans, and varieties of cabbage and cheeses. There is a local tradition of cheese-making and it is not unusual to encounter fried cheese as a side dish with many of the most popular dishes such as fried plantain and "gallo pinto", a regional traditional rice and bean dish. Managua enjoys an array of international cuisine including Italian, Spanish, and French restaurants, as well as many Asian restaurants (South Korean,
Managua central departments. This highway is commonly referred to as the "Northern Highway." The "Southern Highway", the southern part of the Pan-American highway, connects Managua to southern departments Carazo, Rivas and others. The "Carretera A Masaya" connects Managua to the departments of Masaya and Granada. The newly reconstructed "Carretera A León" connects Managua with León. All of these highways are in good condition, with little traffic congestion. Infrastructure on the highways is well maintained. This also tends to be true for cities and towns that are served or are in close distance with the freeways. However, this does not yield truthfully