Cuban Sandwich vs. Medianoche: What’s the Difference?
The difference between a Cuban sandwich and a medianoche is the bread. Both are pressed with roast pork, ham, Swiss … Read more
Cuban Cooking: Ingredients, Guides & Where to Start
November’s Featured Dish
Ropa Vieja
Welcome cooler November evenings with tender shredded beef simmered in a savory tomato-and-pepper sauce. Serve this Cuban comfort dish with rice for a generous family meal.
Explore the Dish →Explore Cuban Food
Breakfast Dishes
Café con leche, eggs and pastelitos.
Cuban Coffee
Strong, sweet, and essential.
Cuban Sandwich
Ham, pork, cheese, and pickles, pressed.
Desserts
Flan, dulce de leche and more.
Drinks & Cocktails
Mojitos, Cuba Libres and more.
Holiday Dishes
Nochebuena and festive traditions.
Ingredients
Sour orange, cumin, bijol and the viandas.
Main Dishes
Ropa vieja, picadillo, and more.
Moros y Cristianos
The classic rice and black beans pairing.
Seafood
Enchilados, langosta and fried fish.
Side Dishes
The perfect plate, completed.
Soups & Stews
Comforting bowls of tradition.
The Complete Cuban Food Guide
36 traditional dishes, ingredients, and cooking guides in one place.
Explore the Guide →Cuban Coffee & Key Ingredients
Learn about cafecito and the ingredients that define our cuisine.
View the Guide →Latest Cuban Recipes
View All Recipes →Cuban Sandwich vs. Medianoche: What’s the Difference?
10 Types of Cuban Sandwiches, From the Cubano to Pan con Timba
Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)
Cuban Black Bean Soup (Sopa de Frijoles Negros)
Vaca Frita (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)
Pastelitos: Cuban Guava and Cheese Pastries (Pastelitos de Guayaba)
Natilla Cubana: How to Make Cuban Natilla (Vanilla Custard)
Why Is Cuban Coffee So Good? What It Is and What Makes It Different
Cuban Mojo Turkey: A Garlic-Citrus Thanksgiving Recipe
Cuban Mojo Sauce (Mojo Criollo): Authentic Recipe & Marinade
A little Cuban curiosity
Fun Facts About Cuban Foods
Big flavors. Little surprises. There’s a story in every bite.
Behind the name“Old clothes” for dinner?
Ropa vieja means “old clothes” in Spanish—a nod to the dish’s long, tender shreds of beef. Deliciously unexpected.
Cafecito cultureSmall cups. Big conversations.
A colada is Cuban coffee served with small cups for sharing. A coffee break becomes a chance to catch up.
Cuban Food FAQs
A little curious? Open a question.Is Cuban food spicy?
Usually, no. Traditional Cuban cooking gets its flavor from garlic, cumin, oregano, onions, and citrus rather than hot chiles. Individual dishes and family recipes can vary.
Explore the Cuban pantry →What’s the national dish of Cuba?
Ropa vieja is widely considered Cuba’s national dish. Slow-cooked shredded beef is simmered in a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions, often served with rice and black beans.
Get the ropa vieja recipe →What are tostones made from?
Tostones are made from green, unripe plantains. The slices are fried, flattened, and fried again until crisp. Unlike sweet fried ripe plantains, tostones have a savory flavor.
Learn how to make tostones →Why is Cuban coffee so sweet?
Traditional cafecito is sweetened with sugar whipped into the first drops of strong coffee. The remaining coffee is added to create its signature sweet foam, called espuma. Sweetness varies with the amount of sugar used.
Make Cuban coffee at home →A Guide to Cuban Food & Cuisine
Cuba is home to one of the Caribbean’s most beloved culinary traditions, where Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Chinese influences have blended to create a cuisine that is both comforting and full of flavor. From slow-cooked meats and hearty rice dishes to tropical fruits, fresh seafood, and classic desserts, Cuban food reflects the island’s rich history and vibrant culture. Staples like rice, black beans, pork, plantains, yuca, and citrus are at the heart of many traditional recipes, while every family adds its own unique touch to dishes passed down through generations.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Cuba, searching for authentic Cuban recipes, or discovering the island’s most iconic dishes, you’ll find everything you need here. Explore favorites like ropa vieja, picadillo, Cuban sandwiches, lechón asado, tostones, and moros y cristianos, along with traditional Cuban desserts, refreshing drinks, cooking guides, and the culinary traditions that have made Cuban cuisine famous around the world. Whether you’re craving classic comfort food or exploring Cuba’s rich food culture for the first time, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to bring authentic Cuban flavors into your kitchen.
If you’re new to Cuban cuisine, start with our comprehensive guide to 36 Traditional Cuban Dishes, then continue exploring our authentic recipes, desserts, breakfasts, drinks, and regional food guides. Whether you’re cooking at home or celebrating your Cuban heritage, AmigoFoods is your trusted resource for authentic Cuban food.
10 Types of Cuban Sandwiches, From the Cubano to Pan con Timba
Updated October 31, 2026 There are more types of Cuban sandwiches than the famous Cubano. Most start with the same … Read more
Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)
Cuban black beans (frijoles negros) are dried black beans simmered until creamy, then cooked down with a green sofrito of … Read more
Cuban Black Bean Soup (Sopa de Frijoles Negros)
Cuban black bean soup (sopa de frijoles negros) is dried black beans simmered until creamy, then seasoned with a sofrito … Read more
Vaca Frita (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)
Vaca frita (“fried cow”) is Cuban shredded beef that is simmered until tender, pulled into thin strands, tossed with lime … Read more
Pastelitos: Cuban Guava and Cheese Pastries (Pastelitos de Guayaba)
Pastelitos are the flaky puff pastry turnovers you find behind the glass at every Cuban bakery, and the most famous … Read more
Natilla Cubana: How to Make Cuban Natilla (Vanilla Custard)
Natilla cubana is Cuba’s stovetop vanilla custard: milk infused with lime peel and cinnamon, thickened with egg yolks and a … Read more
Why Is Cuban Coffee So Good? What It Is and What Makes It Different
Cuban coffee is dark-roast espresso whipped with sugar into a sweet foam called espumita. Here is why it tastes so good, how strong it is, and how to order it.
Cuban Mojo Turkey: A Garlic-Citrus Thanksgiving Recipe
Mojo turkey is the Cuban-American Thanksgiving turkey: marinated overnight under the skin with garlicky sour orange mojo and roasted until bronze. Full recipe, cooking times by weight, a spatchcocked version and the sides to serve.
Cuban Mojo Sauce (Mojo Criollo): Authentic Recipe & Marinade
Cuban mojo sauce (mojo criollo) is garlic mashed with salt, oregano and cumin, brightened with sour orange juice and loosened … Read more
Empanada Dough: Easy Homemade Recipe for Baking or Frying
A tender, sturdy homemade empanada dough with flour, cold butter, egg and ice water, plus disc sizes, baking vs. frying, variations and freezing tips.
Arroz con Pollo Cubano: Cuban Chicken and Yellow Rice (Recipe)
Cuban arroz con pollo, step by step: mojo-marinated chicken cooked with beer and yellow Valencia rice, finished with peas and pimientos, made dry or soupy a la chorrera.
Yuca con Mojo: How to Make Authentic Cuban Yuca with Garlic Mojo
Yuca con mojo is a Cuban side dish of tender boiled cassava dressed with garlic, sour orange, olive oil and … Read more
Yuca Fries (Yuca Frita): Crispy Fried, Baked & Air Fryer Recipe
Yuca fries, or yuca frita, are sticks of cassava boiled until tender, then cooked until golden and crisp. This six-serving … Read more
Cuban Food: 36 Traditional Dishes to Try
Updated October 3, 2026 Cuban food is Caribbean home cooking with deep Spanish and West African roots: rice and black … Read more