Ecuador, a small country with a large diversity of delicious food. From meat-lovers to vegetarians, there are dishes for everyone to enjoy. It is widely known that you can’t completely understand a new place or culture without getting to know its food first. Get your appetites ready for this one…. To help you foodies discover the best cuisine, we have compiled this guide complete with all of the must-tries while in Ecuador:

CEVICHE

A popular dish throughout South America, Ecuador is known to put a special twist on their ceviche. In comparison to its neighboring countries, Ecuador cooks the seafood before marinating it with the acidic lime juice instead of preparing it raw, to begin with. In Ecuador, you will be able to dictate the level of spiciness your ceviche will be, as the hot sauce is served separately instead of adding chilies directly into the dish. Some even add ketchup or mustard to their broth as well. Expect to eat your ceviche with either a side of popcorn or fried green plantains. 

CANELAZO

Ecuador’s most popular cocktail, Canelazo is a well-known drink that contains sugar cane alcohol from aguardiente. It is similar to mulled wine but comes with a richer flavor. This drink typically contains sugar, cinnamon, and an Ecuadorian citrus fruit called naranjilla. It is traditionally linked with the holiday season but Ecuadorians are known to drink it year-round.  No Ecuadorian party is complete without it! Grab a group of friends for enjoying this one.

CUY

More commonly known as the guinea pig, cuy is an indigenous food source and a common dish in the Ecuadorean diet. The most popular way to serve this dish is whole and barbequed over an open fire. This dark meat is most similarly compared to chicken. Don’t worry about manners, feel free to use your hands when enjoying this dish. When looking for the freshest cuy possible, hit up the local roadside food stalls for a bite to eat. If traveling throughout South America, it is common to see cuy enjoyed in other places of the continent as well.

Llapingachos

A famous Ecuadorian side dish or snack, Llapingachos are cheesy fried potato patties with seasoning. They are most commonly served with avocado, meat, peanut sauce, and a fried egg. This national dish is very popular in the markets where they are prepared in bulk. Potatoes are a common theme in Ecuador as there are over 4,000 varieties of them growing in the surrounding regions.

BOLON DE VERDE

Known as a popular breakfast dish, a Bolon is a baseball-sized cluster made up of mashed plantains with a filling of cheese and sometimes meat. It is usually either pan-fried or deep-fried. This filling dish also makes the perfect snack to enjoy on a long bus ride through Ecuador. Enjoy with a refreshing fresh fruit shake.

LOCRO DE PAPA

This hearty stew is the perfect meal after a cold day spent in the Andes. Locro de Papa is a great dish for vegetarians as it is traditionally made with beans, corn, and potatoes. Once in a while, it will be prepared with beef or dried meat so double check if you are looking to avoid. With or without meat, this dish often comes with avocado, egg, cilantro, and other garnishes.

EMPANADA DE VIENTO

As 'viento' roughly translates to “wind/air”, empanadas de viento are large pastries filled mostly with air, along with some gooey fried cheese. This dish is served all day long and can be enjoyed with a topping of sugar and/or a side of hot sauce. These empanadas are HUGE and can easily take up an entire pate. A popular place to try these is in the many small bars located in Quito’s Old Town. This food is commonly tourists’ favorite bite during their time in Ecuador.

HORNADO

This spit-roasted pig dish is most commonly found at larger events such as family celebrations and is complete with a tomato stuffed into the pig's mouth for decoration. Luckily for tourists, you will still be able to find a wide selection of this dish in the local markets. The pork is most often carved fresh from the pig and served with slices of fried plantain, llapingacho and a salad on the side.

SECO DE CHIVO

This traditional goat stew is made with green peppers, tomatoes, onions and sometimes tart fruit juice. While being prepared, the meat is cooked in the beer until all the liquid has evaporated. It is typically enjoyed with a Pilsener (Ecuador’s traditional beer) and served with fried plantains and yellow rice on the side. While still accessible to visitors, Seco de Chivo is often saved for special occasions in Ecuador.

COLADA MORADA

Another drink you must try while in Ecuador is Colada Morada, most commonly enjoyed on the Day of the Deceased in November. The best part- this drink comes with a vibrant purple color. The beauty stems from the purple corn flour, the base of the drink. In addition, the drink also includes a mix of delicious spices and berries. Take note, Colada Morada is best enjoyed hot. For complete enjoyment, pair with a side of fresh empanadas.

CEVICHOCHOS

Feeling tired in the middle of exploring an Ecuadorian city? Pick up the street food dish, cevichochos. This dish contains chocho beans which serve as an excellent source of protein. You'll be feeling energized in no time after enjoying a serving of this. In addition to the white beans, lime, onion, tomato, corn, cilantro, and banana chips are also included in this delicious combination. This serves as another great option for vegetarian travelers.

As you can see, the culinary scene in Ecuador is popping! Which dish are you most excited about? Depending on what regions in Ecuador you visit, you will determine which of these delicious dishes you will be able to enjoy. See and taste all Ecuador has to offer with Acanela Expeditions! 

Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak