5 Ecuadorian dishes you can’t miss by Ecuatraveling

5 Ecuadorian dishes you can’t miss

Written by Ecuatraveling
Date:

Let’s accept the truth, we all LOVE FOOD and always include good restaurants and must-try dishes in our bucket list. Every country has its own traditional flavours, interesting mixes of ingredients, and ways to prepare local meals. South America is already known for its rich culture and variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. But! What makes Ecuador stand out from other countries is its perfect geographical location. Situated right on the equator, Ecuador is blessed with all year round delicious fruits and vegetables that grow under the generous sun. With these enriched ingredients, local people create plates that make the mouth water! So let’s go over 5 Ecuadorian food favourites you can try all around the country.

Fried Plantains

Plantains are larger types of bananas that need to be cooked before consuming. Interesting fact is that they last pretty long. Growing initially green, it takes about three to four weeks before they turn yellow (locals call it Maduro) and it gives broad possibilities for the ways to cook it:  fried, boiled, baked and steamed. When they are fried green they are crispy as chips and called Chifles. People in Ecuador also enjoy Patacones, this is when a green plantain is fried twice. You can see fried plantains in every corner of Ecuador's streets and there is a reason for that! Ecuador is the leading country in the world that exports the largest number of bananas and plantains that grow abundantly in the tropics. Not only popular as street food, they are appreciated by local restaurants and served as a side with a meal, in the soup and even in bakeries. 

When yellow plantains are fried, they taste mushy and sweet, almost like a dessert. Local people love to make a cut in the middle of plantain and melt a cheese inside, Ecuadorian hot dog I would say!

Zx4r U C2 Sq5 Ar E7nl0 Cp DB In0f72 M Q9 Bqi Cj Ko Pf9uf Z C03 Ro Oiw Dn7  G Luk82 Fl Gz9 Scr Ky7 Gg Qv Co Zhg G H4yx Reklz6 C Cwx J Ny9i7y4twl Fdzlng Sho Ac7vcdb Pwm Wga Q Uo V2

T 0 S Tx103 Jk Mx2vp Qk Fe Uve5b Rniy V9 R C2l Gy Jmubp Rz0 B up K Pa Fiuto C2v G Ogu8y N9a Sw Tun  Gs4w0 V Ku Cy Qyk Rn W4ocb Qf B7 Ij8q J B0zhct T70ihir D1916g M3j X E35 Od

7 A1gk Dn Od1 at N3r4v Tg Vhh Pya Ddc Hswz5jp Pk Iyp Fyt Aue8n70t M2 Fr Ty9ep9a Ez T Ime Ql Bx9wjn Rz U1l Ab Hzx X6 Bt4zd P Zj7 W 4 J Vptyk32zd Zqm Uqf91 S6nbge B H1dq Zzf

Ceviche

Ceviche is a cold appetizer marinated with raw fish or seafood famous all around South America. However, no one else prepares it quite like the Ecuadorians. Ceviche can be made in several forms, but its main fillings will always be shrimp, crab, oyster, octopus, fish, lobster, or a mix of one or more of those. Thanks to the long Ecuador coastline, the ceviche is always fresh and rich in vitamins. To complement the dish, ceviche is spiked with lime and orange juice, finely chopped red onions, tomatoes, and green peppers. Crunchy plantains (Chifles), popcorn, and toasted corn are often consumed as toppings.

Unlike in other countries like Peru, Ecuadorians prefer to cook the fish, which gives a ceviche a better consistency and flavour.

Tv7mj894exh M6b Qt Wa G Nov Yq U Ok Lg Z2t K P4oi pH Fv2qi24d Jab Z G5 Ryy6ll J X8 K Ai Icu D4 T Kj Hns Xlao Wqlbp Vr Yp Ctg7 Z Dc Sd Mn U0ac8 Lp Y7y O1 V Y70 K B6 G4c Bs Ka Wz Srdm7 R

Bolon de verde

A Bolon is another innovative way to cook green plantains in Ecuador. As you can notice the whole Ecuadorian cuisine is based around plantains. Locals just like to play with recipes. In the Bolon, green plantains are cooked and smashed, almost like a puree which can be mixed with cheese or cilantro. For me, it was very hard to recognize what the Bolon was made of when I first tried it. I would guess it was potatoes but never imagined green plantains! Anyways, it was very tasty and its texture is my favourite. On the coast of Ecuador, Bolon is very popular. People like to keep a traditional breakfast: Bolon, cheese, fried eggs, and dark coffee.

H Jk6 I E5 Da P2 M I6 Z3 Vl Dck Arp Xqsjmb Fu53zh Bbln W1n0e N71k019 Ruzov Q2 Vp X6pk4 Oqhop F D2m6 Kmz Xf9j D Rdg Eu Sdmb Lvgz E5j Oiup Vkbqy O Qp Z Ddz Eu H Zs Em7j J G Otay Ci D

Encebollado

Encebollado is probably Ecuador’s most famous soup for hangover cure, but people also like to enjoy it at any time of the day. This dish is highly appreciated by locals and many families have their own secret recipe. On the coast especially, Encebollado is consumed the most. So what are the main ingredients? Basically, it is a stew made with yucca and local fish called Albacora (white tuna fish), cooked in a consistent broth filled with red onions, cilantro and mild spices. The Ecuadorians like extra toppings and sides, the soup comes with rice, toasted corn or plantain chips. What gives the soup a special taste is the juice of the lime that is squeezed fresh.

Zt1 Dh Q3 Zsa Ro6 C J93 Z9d B S2 D1 W Kx2 Mf Zrvc7 H X9 Rb G Te0v26z B P2 Q Emq Am9zk4n0 Ab Jg Wayrghqev G Pdr Jpw Ym Sc Bxd Rwevr Dd L5l5z O R7n K Nu90h Qpd 9 W3tf K G5 Kj5 G

Guinea Pig

If you decide to start your journey in the Andes of Ecuador, then you should first visit the local food market where locals serve grilled guinea pigs. In Ecuador, they are considered a fine Andean delicacy, often served on special events. The taste more or less resembles a duck or rabbit and it is finger-licking  good! I have seen how locals keep them in their gardens, taking great care of the food they eat. People in Ecuador call it Cuy, and if you are in the mountains, don't miss a chance to try the specialty of this area! Once you step out, it can be pretty challenging to find Cuys for lunch.

8eu6b R9kn4 S9mo Wo Em D Y3 Don18 Ojcit N Pc6p Prpoi Df4p Xw La Xh Ujb Ewgk0 Ng Robvs X Ojki T Q0e Ye N Pg 3 Nd Bta Gh Argyrw Wn Dk0 So3 Wuy2 Fq Vk Cfp Wi F1 Mjm6 X Tik Eu Tg I2 Tpm8

I love and respect Ecuadorian Cuisine because local people take advantage of food that grows abundantly in the country. It is amazing how plantains can be cooked in so many different ways and have various tastes. Seafood, exotic fruits, vegetables, pretty much everything can be found in this little paradise! Have you already added these meals to your bucket list?!

Written by Nargiza Erkinova

Contact us

Contact our travel experts who will provide you with the information you need about our varied ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS tours and other trips to various destinations.

Call us

US Number: +1 (707) 6815035Office: +593 959641843Mobile: +593 987053367+593 980314882

INQUIRE NOW

Ecuatraveling - Ecuador & Galapagos Tours
Call us
US Number: +1 (707) 6815035
Office:+593 959641843
Mobile:+593 987053367+593 980314882
Main office
Eloy Alfaro 3715, Edificio Stanza, office 51, Quito - Ecuador
Email US
Social networks