country Essentials · 10 foods
Ecuador Essentials
A considered first route through Ecuador: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Ecuador foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
10 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Ecuador
Corviche
Fish and green plantain broth in a crispy dough ball, the iconic coastal Ecuadorian street food eaten by hand.
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Encebollado
Encebollado de pescado
Tuna and cassava soup crowned with pickled red onion and lime anchors Ecuador's coastal breakfasts.
Ambato, Ecuador
Llapingachos
Yapingachos
Cheese-filled potato patties with peanut sauce, avocado, egg, and chorizo represent Ambato's highland plate.
Sierra (Andean Highlands), Ecuador
Fritada
Slow-cooked pork in its own fat served with plantains, the rustic mountain dish of Ecuador's Otavalo region.
Ecuador
Bolón de Verde
Mashed green plantain ball with cheese and meat, the hearty breakfast staple of coastal Ecuador.
Ecuador
Guatita
Tripe and potatoes simmer in peanut sauce with cilantro, a thick Ecuadorian Sunday and hangover stew.
Ecuador
Encocado
Encocado de camarones
Seafood stewed in a rich coconut sauce with spices, a creamy and aromatic dish from coastal and Amazonian Ecuador.
Ecuador
Fanesca
Fish, grains, beans, eggs, and squash make fanesca Ecuador's substantial Holy Week soup.
Sierra (Andean Highlands), Ecuador
Hornado
Slow-roasted pork with crispy skin served with potatoes, the festive weekend dish of Ecuador's highlands.
Ecuador
Ecuadorian Ceviche
Ceviche ecuatoriano
Ecuadorian citrus-marinated seafood with tomato, onion and regional coastal garnishes.