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Foods to Try in Cuenca, Ecuador: Sweets, Drinks, and Local Dishes
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items I tasted my way through Cuenca’s markets, plazas, and family kitchens, discovering the local treats that define this city’s flavor. From ancestral sweets to herbal teas and shared dishes, these are the foods locals love and the ones I tried on my trip. For an authentic taste of Cuen... If you want to explore these flavors with a guide or book a local food experience, you can find options here: https://plann.in/bmbnGK
Map
Sections
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Traditional Desserts & Sweet Treats
Traditional Dishes
Local Drinks & Herbal Beverages
Traditional Desserts & Sweet Treats
A popular Cuenca treat that looks like ice cream but is actually a whipped fruit meringue made with guava. Light, sweet, and sold in the plazas.
Espumillas
A classic Ecuadorian dessert of figs simmered in sweet syrup. Rich, warm, and comforting. Loved how the slow cooking brings out the depth of the fruit.
Dulce de higos
A traditional Ecuadorian taffy made from boiled sugarcane juice. I tried it in the market and it was chewy, sweet, and fun to pull apart.
Melcocha (Sugarcane Taffy)
Traditional Dishes
A traditional roasted pork dish you will find throughout Ecuador. It is known for its tender meat and crisp skin and it is a favorite in many local markets.
Hornado (roasted pork)
Made from fresh white corn and steamed in corn leaves, this simple dish is full of flavor. It is soft, warm, and very comforting.
Humitas (Steamed White Corn Dish)
The combination of hominy corn, eggs, and herbs gives it a simple, comforting flavor that feels rooted in local cooking.
Mote pillo
I tried shrimp cooked in rich Ecuadorian sauces at Tiesto’s and it was full of flavor. This garlic butter version captures that same comforting, savory style you find in Cuenca.
Langostinos in garlic butter
Cuy is an iconic dish in Ecuador and a familiar sight in the markets of Cuenca. You will see it roasting over open flames and it offers a look into the region’s deep culinary traditions.
Roasted Guinea Pig (Cuy)
Local Drinks & Herbal Beverages
I tried this fresh berry juice and loved how tangy and refreshing it was. Made with local blackberries, it is bright, sweet, and served everywhere in the markets.
Mora juice
A creamy sweet drink made with corn, milk, and spices. I tried it warm and loved how comforting and smooth it felt, almost like a cozy dessert in a cup.
Morocho
I tried this at the Carmelite shop. It is made with flowers and valerian roots and locals say it is good for just about everything
Agua de Pitimas
I tasted this fresh herbal tea in the mountains of San Bartholomew where it was made with ingredients picked straight from the garden. Light and full of local tradition.
Agua de Frescos (Herbal Tea)
I tasted this Ecuadorian market drink made with beer, raw egg, and honey. It is creamy and a little unexpected, and it gives a real sense of the local food culture.
Egg Beer (Beer + Raw Egg + Honey)