Llapingachos are potato and cheese patties. They are often served with a side salad or eggs, making them a good choice for pescetarian or vegetarian visitors. They are commonly eaten for breakfast but paired with some sausages and avocados make a delicious lunch dish. Llapingachos originated in la sierra and has grown to be one of Ecuador’s most popular dishes.

Ceviche is a very common dish on the coast of Ecuador. Many Ecuadorians are very proud of their ceviche, it’s delicious! Ceviche is a dish of raw fish marinated in lemon and lime juice, which “cooks” with the acidity of the juices. It can also be made with cooked shrimp. It originated in Peru, but is very popular in Ecuador.

Cuy or guinea pig is mostly thought of in Peru. However this is also considered a delicacy in Ecuador. The pig is usually roasted and can be bought at some street venders. It can also be fried or baked. You can find more cuy in la Sierra, although it’s all over the country. Many Americans find it hard to eat cuy because we see guinea pigs as cute pets, not as food.

Plantains are a part of so many dishes in Ecuador. You can eat them as is, fry them, roll them into cheesy fried balls, and so much more. Plantains look like bananas, but are more savory and pair really well with cheese and salt. You can also prepare them in different ways depending on their ripeness. Fun Fact: Plantains are among the top ten most staple foods in the world.