The cebiche, ceviche, sebiche or seviche (all valid and all included in the Dictionary of the Spanish language; each one is used in a different geographical area)(Spanish pronunciation: [seˈβitʃe]) is a dish consisting of fish or shellfish marinated in citrus and seasonings. Different versions of ceviche are part of the culinary culture of various Spanish-American countries along the Pacific Ocean where each one is native: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru. In the latter it is considered a flagship dish and cultural heritage.
Some of the most frequently used citrus fruits are lemon and sour lime, although sour orange was historically used. The dressing also includes some local variety of chili pepper or chili, replaced by mustard in some locations in Central America. Some preparations include chopped cilantro and in the rest of the countries (except Chile, Panama and Peru) the addition of tomato sauce is common. The meat is usually marinated together with sliced or chopped onion, in Mexico tomato and avocado are also usually included.
The cebiche accompaniments can also be different: in Ecuador, with plantain, canguil or chifles patacones, and in Colombia, Panama and Guatemala, with salty soda crackers. The northern varieties usually use cookies or toast as a garnish. In Mexico, it is served with corn tostadas or with crackers; in Panama an extra option is the spicy chombo chili pepper to taste, and in Peru it is served with garnishes of boiled root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cassava or, very rarely, potatoes, and grains or seeds such as corn (boiled or roasted), legumes such as zarandaja, fried plantain (chifles), seaweed and lettuce; sometimes it can be accompanied by chilcano (broth made from fish heads).