Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Native Food of the Northern Andes
Traditional cuisine throughout Ecuador's Andean region,
particularly in the north, includes a variety of interesting
combinations. Baked pork is a favorite staple, often served
with llapingachos , a kind of flattened potato and cheese
pancake (absolutely delicious!). Cuy , a guinea pig-like ani-
mal - usually spit-roasted - offers a tastymeal in the poorer
regions when served with potatoes. Be warned, however,
that cuy is served in its natural form, and will more than
likely be smiling up at you from the plate. After all the effort
of peeling back the (now crisp) fur, there isn't much left to
enjoy. Soup dishes are also common, and may include a
white corn dish called morocho , or a barley-rice soup
known as arroz de cebada . Another favorite is locro de
papa s - a delightful, thick potato soup, with chunks of
salty cheese and avocado in the middle. Traditional drinks
include leche de tigre , which combines hot milk with
brandy; a fermented rice drink known as chichi de arroz ;
and canelazo . A hot drink with fruit, liquor and cinnamon,
canelazo offers a warm and tasty mid-afternoon treat after
a day of hiking in the cool highlands.
Ibarra
There are numerous restaurants downtown, most of which are cen-
trally located within several square blocks that surround the main
plazas fromMoreno south to Velasco. The best pizza, served up at El
Horno , at Rocafuerte and Flores, is super-cheap and fresh oven-
roasted. A close second, though, is La Trattoria Rusticana ,on
Sucre and Parque Moncayo, with a nice setting and popular with lo-
cals as well as foreigners. Grán Chifa Kam , at Olmedo 7-62 and
Oviedo, has good, inexpensive Chinese food. For Ecuadorian cuisine,
try Antojitos de mi Tierra , at Plaza de Ibarreñidad. Very inexpen-
sive and popular, it is open for lunch and dinner. Note that Ibarra is a
sleepy town, and none of the restaurants stay open too late. The best
option for dining in the area is at Hostería Chorlaví (see Where to
Stay , page 148).
Search WWH ::




Custom Search