Ecuadorian Kitchen – Latin Americas culinary insider tip

Last modified on October 23, 2025 • 3 min read • 452 words

When people talk about Latin American cuisine, many immediately think of Mexiko with tacos and guacamole, Peru with ceviche and quinoa, or Argentinien with steaks and empanadas. But a small country between the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific has at least as much to offer culinarily — it’s just hardly known: Ecuador.

Why is Ecuadorian cuisine a hidden gem?  

Ecuador is only slightly larger than Switzerland in area. Yet the country unites an incredible variety of landscapes and climates — from the tropical hot coastal lowlands through the fertile Andes to the dense rainforest of the Amazon.

👉 It is exactly this diversity that shapes the 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 ways of life.

More than just food: culture on the plate  

In Ecuador, food means much more than pure food intake – it is an integral part of everyday life and family culture. Of course there are festive dishes for special occasions — but especially in everyday life shared meals have a particularly high value. People take their time, share, enjoy and maintain community and tradition.

👉 So when you discover Ecuadorian cuisine, you not only discover new flavors, but also immerse yourself in the country’s way of life and culture.

Have you ever tasted the Amazon?  

From the warming Locros of the highlands, to the refreshing Ceviches of the coastal region and to the Amazon, where you’ll find ingredients 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 part: many of these ingredients can also be found here in Europe — sometimes in Asian or African markets, sometimes in online shops and sometimes even in the normal supermarket around the corner.

Overview of exotic ingredients and where to find them

Conclusion: discover the Ecuadorian cuisine  

Ecuadorian cuisine is rich, diverse and full of surprises. It combines the familiar — potatoes, corn, cheese — with completely new flavors from the tropics. It has so far been little marketed internationally. That is exactly what makes it a true insider tip.

👉 In our blog (and soon also in our cookbook) we’ll take you on a culinary journey through Ecuador. We show you recipes, ingredients and stories — so you can bring the country on the equator straight into your home. 🌎🍴