Planning a trip to Ecuador and wondering, “What is the national dish of Ecuador?”. Stop looking and keep reading to find out the Top 10 Ecuadorian foods to try on your next trip!
If you are anything like me, trying new food while traveling is your first reason to travel the world. So when it comes to the Country of the Four Worlds, you might wonder: “What is the national dish of Ecuador?”.
After living there for almost two years and eating a ton of delicious food, I’ve gathered for you the top 10 Ecuadorian foods to try while you are there. I hope you are ready, your belly is going to have a blast!
This blog post highlights the top 10 Ecuadorian foods and answer to the question you’ve been asking yourself, “What is the national dish of Ecuador?”.
Before telling you all about the most popular foods in Ecuador, you must know that it has been really hard to make this TOP 10 Ecuadorian Foods! The food culture there is so diverse. Between the Ecuadorian coast, the Andes, and the Amazon, the difference of culture reflects in their dishes. But believe me, your belly will be the happiest in Ecuador!
And if, after your trip, you want to try to cook some of the most popular Ecuadorian food, Laylita shares the best recipes ever! Believe me, I use them every time I want to cook my favorite Ecuadorian dishes!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 10
GUATITA
Ecuadorian tripe stew, cooked in a peanut and potato sauce, la Guatita isn’t really popular among foreigners. But locals absolutely LOVE IT! (And I do too.)
If you want to dive in Ecuador food culture, you have to try it! I understand that eating cow’s stomach and tripe isn’t the most appetizing thing ever… But forget about what is in your plate for a minute and just eat it. You will be surprised, and will probably ask for more!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 9
LOCRO DE PAPA
Nothing is more comforting than a Locro de papa. Thick soup made of potatoes and cheese, it is often served with avocado and onions, and will warm you up in a second if you are visiting the Andes.
Soups are very popular in the Ecuadorian food culture and are almost always served as an entry with your meal. If you ask for an almuerzo, you will get a soup (as a primero), a main dish (as a segundo) and a fruit juice.
And all this for less than $3… I know, there is no reason to deprive yourself!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 8
PATACONES
Probably the best snack or Ecuadorian side dish you can find on the Ecuadorian Coast! And if you want to try it at home, there is nothing easier! Patacones are basically fried smashed chunk of plantain.
They can be served on their own with cheese, eggs, or avocado or served as a complementary side dish with any kind of Ecuadorian main dish.
Pro tip? Ask for some when eating a ceviche! It is the perfect combo!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 7
BOLóN DE VERDE
If you are looking for a popular breakfast food in Ecuador, there you have it! Nothing is simpler than a bolón but believe me it is one of the best food you will have in Ecuador!
Bolónes are basically fried balls of mashed plantains, in which is added cheese or chicharron (fried pork skin). Breaking news! If you are feeling greedy you can have a bolón mixto in which they will add cheese AND chicharron.
Bolónes are often served with fried eggs or beef stew. Add some ají (hot salsa) to the mix, and you will wonder how you’ve been able to start your days any other way before!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 6
FRITADA
Where are the pork lovers at?!
Pork is among the most popular foods in Ecuador. They have two very popular way to cook it. El hornado and la fritada. Both are delicious, but let’s focus on the fritada. (Just because I am obsessed with it!)
The name can be confusing, but the fritada is not fried meat. The pork meat is slowly cooked in water with spices until there is no water left, and the meat starts to cook in its own grease. I know how it sounds but try it!
In the Andes, they will serve you this Ecuadorian dish with mote (a kind of white corn) and onion salad or tortilla de papa. On the Coast, you will probably get it with rice (as they eat EVERYTHING with rice) and salad. Either way, it is delicious!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 5
CORVICHE
One of the most popular Ecuadorian street food, and one of the yummiest too. Deep-fried plantains “balls” (more like a rugby ball shape), filled with tuna fish or shrimps, onions, pepper bells, peanut butter and spices. If you want to make them even tastier, add some more peanut sauce and hot salsa. Your belly will thank you.
The best about Corviches? They are cheap! Around $1 each, depending on the size of it!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 4
LLAPINGACHO
There is a lot of controversy about this Ecuadorian dish. In the Andes, sometimes they will just give you potato patties if you ask for a Llapingacho, and sometimes they will give you a full main dish. And when I say full, it is a really full plate. Sausage, egg, rice, salad, and potato patties. And trust me, it is absolutely delicious!
Now, second controversy… If you buy a Llapingacho on the Ecuadorian coast, they will serve it to you with peanut butter sauce. But in the Andes, they won’t. I have no answer of why, but I’m a firm believer that everything tastes better with peanut sauce.
So if you want the complete experience, get your Llapingacho on the coast!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 3
CAZUELA
Even though the Cazuela is not recognized as the national dish of Ecuador, it could very well be!
I can’t even describe how tasty and comforting this Ecuadorian dish is! Thicker than a soup but liquid enough to eat it with a spoon, to make a Cazuela you need plantain, peanut butter, spices, onions, pepper bells, and garlic. Once they are all mixed together and turn into a thick paste, you add tuna fish or shrimps (or both of them!) in the middle and let it cook in individual dishes in the oven.
You can then eat it on its own or with rice (as I said, on the coast they will eat rice with everything) and enjoy one of the most popular Ecuadorian dish!
TOP 10 OF ECUADORIAN FOODS: NUMBER 2
CEVICHE ECUATORIANO
Aïe, aïe, aïe… The eternal conflict between Ecuadorian Ceviche and Peruvian Ceviche…
They are just two different dishes, and I believe there is no reason to keep this war going. They are both delicious and made of the same ingredients but, for some reason, they taste different!
The Ecuadorian Ceviche is a cold soup made of seafood (literally any seafood you’d like), lemon juice, tomatoes, bell peppers, coriander, and onions. You can eat it by itself, with chiffles (plantain chips), rice or (the best way to eat it) with Patacones!
BEST OF THE BEST: THE NATIONAL DISH OF ECUADOR
ENCEBOLLADO
Here is the answer to your question, “What is the national dish of Ecuador?”!
Named second-best fish soup of the world, the Encebollado is the most popular Ecuadorian breakfast and, to me, the best Ecuadorian dish of them all!
I know how it sounds… Fish soup for breakfast? I was skeptical too at first. Then I tried it, and now I wonder how I could live without it!
Hot broth made of vegetables, tuna fish chunks and boiled manioc, complemented with (a lot) of raw onions and herbs. It is simply the most comforting and delicious Ecuadorian food, you can have. Honestly, I’ve never met someone who didn’t like it. So that says it all.
The best way to eat it? Add chiffles (or bread), lemon and hot sauce. Some locals will even add mustard and oil. I agree with the mustard, but I’m still not convinced with the oil…
I guess you will just have to eat a lot of them to see which combination you like best!