Ecuadorian Cuisine: Discover the Culinary Secret of South America

Last modified on October 26, 2025 • 3 min read • 471 words

When people talk about Latin American cuisine, many immediately think of Mexico with its tacos and guacamole, Peru with its ceviches and lomo saltado, or Argentina with its steaks. But a small country between the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific has at least as much to offer in terms of culinary delights – it’s just that hardly anyone knows about it: Ecuador.

Why is Ecuadorian cuisine a culinary secret?  

Ecuador is barely larger than Switzerland in terms of area. Nevertheless, the country combines an incredible variety of landscapes and climate zones – from the tropically hot coastal lowlands to the fertile Andes and the dense rainforest of the Amazon.

👉 It is precisely this diversity that characterizes Ecuadorian cuisine:

• refreshing & rich in fish on the coast (e.g. Ceviche),

• hearty & warming in the Andes (e.g. Locro de papa – a creamy potato soup with cheese),

• exotic & surprising in the Amazon region (e.g. dishes with yuca or hearts of palm).

Each region produces its own specialties – influenced by climate, traditions and way of life.

More than just food: culture on a plate  

In Ecuador, food means much more than just eating – it is an integral part of everyday life and family culture. Of course, there are also festive dishes for special occasions – but especially in everyday life, eating together is particularly important. People take their time, share, enjoy and thus cultivate community and tradition.

👉 So anyone who gets to know Ecuadorian cuisine not only discovers new flavors, but also immerses themselves directly in the country’s way of life and culture.

Have you ever tasted the Amazon?  

From the warming Locros from the high Andes, to the refreshing Ceviches of the coastal region, and through the Amazon rainforest, where ingredients await you that are almost unknown in Europe: yuca, exotic fruits, hearts of palm or for the very brave: edible larvae. The culinary journey through Ecuador is in a way like traveling the world.

The exciting thing is: you can also find many of these ingredients here in Germany – sometimes in Asian or African markets, sometimes in online shops, and sometimes even in a normal supermarket around the corner.

Overview of exotic ingredients and where you can find them

Conclusion: Discover Ecuadorian cuisine  

Ecuadorian cuisine is rich, diverse and full of surprises. It combines the familiar – potatoes, corn, cheese – with completely new aromas from the tropics. It has hardly been marketed internationally so far. This is exactly what makes it a real insider tip.

👉 In our blog (and soon in our cookbook) we will take you on a culinary journey to Ecuador. We will show you recipes, ingredients and share stories about Ecuador – so you can bring the country on the equator directly to your home. 🌎🍴