{"id":17535,"date":"2019-07-04T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wanderbusecuador.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/04\/traditional-foods-market\/"},"modified":"2021-07-19T22:48:11","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T03:48:11","slug":"traditional-foods-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderbusecuador.com\/es\/traditional-foods-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditional foods market: Top 8 in Ecuador"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like our canine companions, we humans are very food motivated. The only difference is that, as superior beings (arguable), we like to add a cultural twist to our culinary explorations. Hence, a blog about Ecuador\u2019s best traditional foods market, traditional dishes, as well as a few tips on where to buy some gourmet food gifts before you leave the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering Ecuador is made up of three geographic regions, the Amazon, the Andes, and the Pacific coast, you should expect to see a bit of diversity in its traditional food. It really all comes down to what abounds in each region in terms of plant or animal life, as well as the weather. <\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, on the coast, since it\u2019s warmer and there is fresh fish available, <\/span>ceviche <\/span><\/i>is an excellent meal choice<\/span>.<\/span><\/i> In the Andes, the temperature is much colder, so you eat <\/span>locro de papas<\/span><\/i> and lots of protein to keep warm. Finally, in the Amazon, farming is difficult because of all the insects, so you eat whatever you can get your hands on, including <\/span>chontacurro<\/span><\/i> (juicy beetle larvae).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ecuadorian<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ecuadorian street foods you must try<\/span><\/h2>\n

Street food has a funny way of embodying food culture. I mean, it makes sense. Street food is what the locals eat because it tastes good, it\u2019s convenient and affordable. You\u2019ll be able to find most of these in the traditional foods markets listed in the next section.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a traveler, it\u2019s important to remember that your intestinal flora is different from that of an Ecuadorians. Street food, as well as food from restaurants, might not sit well at first. To mitigate any… Issues, always try to eat from a clean street food stand offering fresh ingredients. Also, where possible, avoid foods with too much cheese, milk or mayonnaise, since these tend to go bad the quickest, especially when being sold outdoors.<\/span>
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Tortillas de Guaranda<\/b> – As you walk around Quito Old Town you might see hand-prepared wheat tortillas toasting on a large, traditional-looking ceramic plate. These delicious snacks are known to come from the town of Guaranda and are often eaten with <\/span>queso fresco<\/span><\/i>, literally fresh (unaged) cheese. Some spots will offer corn-based tortillas as well, if gluten is an issue for you.<\/span>
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Cevichocho<\/b> – Another filling and nutritious snack is the <\/span>cevichocho<\/span><\/i>, sold for $1-2 dollars! Its main ingredient is the chocho bean, an Andean super bean high in protein and calcium. This is mixed with a pico-de-gallo style sauce, lime juice, tostado corn nuts, popcorn and chips. On the street, this is usually offered in a small plastic cup. While cevichochos are generally vegetarian, some places may add bits of pork to the cevichocho.<\/span>
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Hornado – \u00a0<\/b>Hornado is a favorite among visitors, and a classic to Ecuadorians. It\u2019s available at most markets, fairs and events and its ingredients include tasty strips of roasted pork, potato tortillas, and a fresh salad with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes. Some plates of hornado also come with corn and\/or fried plantain. It is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> a vegetarian dish, though you can ask for a portion without pork. <\/span>
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Empanada de viento<\/b> – Once you try an empanada de viento, it\u2019ll be hard not to buy one every time you see them on the street! These are fluffy fried empanadas with a cheese filling and sprinkled with sugar. The combination is addictive, to say the least, and they only go for $0.50 – $1.00 each.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ecuadorian<\/p>\n

Top 8 traditional food markets in Ecuador\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Traditional food markets give you a real sense of local life in Ecuador. These are the markets that your regular Ecuadorian frequents and where you\u2019ll find the freshest local ingredients. It\u2019s also where you\u2019ll likely be able to taste the most authentic traditional dishes, freshly made. <\/span>
\nHere are some of our favorite traditional food markets in Ecuador.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quito Central Market \u00a0– Located In Quito Old Town between streets Esmeraldas and Manab\u00ed<\/b><\/h3>\n

Though it doesn\u2019t look like much from the outside, Quito\u2019s Mercado Central is probably the best place to taste Ecuadorian traditional food and is also one of the cheapest places to have lunch. On the lower level of the market, you\u2019ll find a huge selection of delicious local dishes, among which the <\/span>ceviche de corvina <\/span><\/i>or <\/span>camarones<\/span><\/i> is a top contender. Each floor of the market sells different products – you can buy fresh fruit, roses ($1\/dozen) and much, much more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parque de las Tripas (loosely translated to…Guts Park), also known as Parque Genaro Larrea<\/b><\/h3>\n

When I first moved to Quito, this traditional food market looked like the best place to get a stomach bug. Over the years, it has become quite sophisticated! Due to its location outside in a small park, it has a very streetfood feel that attracts hordes of people, especially from Thursday to Saturday. The market is only active in the evenings and you\u2019ll find dishes like <\/span>guatita<\/span><\/i> (cow stomach stew), blood sausage, empanadas de viento and more. Watch out for the street dogs, they might try to snatch your food while you\u2019re not looking. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u00f1aquito Market – Between I\u00f1aquito street and Villalengua street<\/b><\/h3>\n

I\u00f1aquito is one of Quito\u2019s oldest and largest markets and has been around for 30 years. Locally, I\u00f1aquito is known for its selection of traditional Ecuadorian food, lots of spices, as well as hard-to-find Asian ingredients, including fresh tofu. It might very well be <\/span>the<\/span><\/i> international food market in Quito! As in other markets, you\u2019ll find food ingredients, as well as stalls selling a wide variety of Ecuadorian dishes. If you\u2019re not sure what to get, the hornado at I\u00f1aquito is supposedly one of the best in town.<\/span><\/p>\n

Santa Clara Market – Between Versalles y Ramirez Davalos Street<\/b><\/h3>\n

This market is located in the central-north area of Quito close to the Universidad Central. There\u2019s one large building where you\u2019ll find fresh produce, butcher stalls, and food stalls. A delicacy of the Santa Clara market is the <\/span>corvina<\/span><\/i> (a type of white flesh fish) with fries.<\/span>
\nAround this main building you\u2019ll find many other shops. In fact, Santa Clara Market is well known for the rustic and affordable furniture sold on its side streets. Many people come here to furnish their apartments or restaurants and you\u2019ll find a variety of lamps, baskets, wooden trunks, shelves and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Riobamba Market – In Riobamba<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The local market takes place on Saturday and is located within the following streets: Espa\u00f1a, 5 de Junio, Guayaquil, and Argentinos. There\u2019s really nothing like exploring the cobblestone streets of this picturesque city and, if the weather is clear, you\u2019ll spot Volcano Chimborazo in the distance. At the Saturday market you\u2019ll find fresh fruit, vegetables, handicrafts, flowers and more!<\/span><\/p>\n

Guamote Market – In Guamote<\/b><\/h3>\n

Every Thursday, the little town of Guamote, home to no more than 5,000 inhabitants, comes to life. At the Guamote Market, you\u2019ll catch a glimpse of true Ecuadorian village life and you\u2019ll find everything from guinea pigs (cuy, a local delicacy) to handmade hats and ponchos. This isn\u2019t a touristic market like Otavalo. Quite the contrary, it\u2019s quite possibly one of the most authentic market experiences you might have during your entire trip, so if you can get a chance to experience the Guamote Market, don\u2019t pass it up!<\/span><\/p>\n

Mercado 10 De Agosto – In Cuenca <\/b><\/h3>\n

Moving to the South of Ecuador, in Cuenca, you\u2019ll find the traditional foods market 10 de Agosto. Expect to see a similar variety of food as in other market we\u2019ve already covered, like <\/span>hornado<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>llapingachos<\/span><\/i>, though if you come across <\/span>morteruelo conquense<\/span><\/i> or g<\/span>azpacho pastor<\/span><\/i>, these are dishes specific to the Cuenca area.<\/span>
\nDuring the week, the 10 de Agosto market in Cuenca is bustling and can get overwhelming. This is also <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> the place to look for souvenirs. However, if you\u2019re looking to buy fresh fruit and produce for homemade meals or a bite to eat during lunch hours, this market has you covered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mercado del R\u00edo in Guayaquil – Malec\u00f3n Sim\u00f3n Bol\u00edvar in Guayaquil<\/b><\/h3>\n

Diverging a bit from the traditional style food market, the newly opened Mercado del R\u00edo, located along the Guayas river on the Malec\u00f3n Sim\u00f3n Bolivar in Guayaquil, is built to feel like a gastro-bar. Mercado del R\u00edo offers over 550 food options ranging from Ecuadorian grandma\u2019s cooking (old school traditional) to Japanese-Ecuadorian fusion to 100% Italian. Prices are also varied and you\u2019ll be pleased to find regular cheap food options as in other traditional food markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Guamote<\/span><\/h2>\n

Best places to buy Gourmet Food Gifts in Ecuador <\/span><\/h2>\n

Dining on traditional Ecuadorian meals is the way to go while traveling through the country and exploring its culture. It\u2019s also a smart idea if you\u2019re on a tight budget, since many of the traditional foods markets listed above offer $2.50 lunches.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re thinking about heading home with gourmet food gifts, you\u2019re not going to find them in those markets. For that purpose, here are a few local stores that specialize in gourmet food in Quito. <\/span><\/p>\n