It’s no secret that Latin America is home to some of the world’s most delicious, satisfying, and nutritious seafood dishes. Ecuadorian seafood is no exception.
In fact, Ecuadorian cuisine produces some of the most fantastic seafood dishes you’ll ever try!Ecuadorian seafood dishes feature fresh, healthy ingredients and rich flavors. It often uses corvina (similar to sea bass), shrimp, mussels, clams, bay scallops, albacore tuna, and other seafood. Vegetable ingredients frequently include corn, cassava (yucca), bell peppers, plantains, and more.
This article will detail 6 of the most famous seafood dishes in Ecuadorian cuisine. This includes traditional dishes such as shrimp ceviche, fish stew, fish with coconut sauce, fish soup, and the Ecuadorian version of the Spanish paella.
1. Ceviche de Camarón
Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche is a popular coastal dish of raw shrimp similar to the ceviche of Mexico, Peru, and other Latin American cuisines.
Ceviche Ecuatoriano is traditionally prepared in many different ways.
It may also be made with conch, fish, other seafood, beans, hearts of palm, mushrooms, and other vegetables.
It is usually marinated in lemon and served alongside chifles, patacones (fried green plantains), or corn.
The corn may be canguil (popped) or tostado (toasted).
2. Encebollado
Encebollado is a coastal seafood stew made of albacore tuna, onions, cassava root (yucca), and cilantro.
It is topped with pickled red onion, boiled cassava, and tomato.
Side dishes traditionally served with this delicious soup include chifles (plantain chips), tostado (toasted corn), and bread.
It is a national dish of Ecuador and is often called chuchaqui, a known hangover cure.
To learn more about this delicious dish, including how to make it yourself, check out my other article Encebollado, Ecuador’s Classic Fish Stew.
3. Arroz Marinero
Arroz marinero, or ‘sailor’s rice,’ is a traditional Ecuadorian food similar to Spanish paella.
However, this Ecuadorian seafood dish calls for achiote or annatto seeds instead of saffron. This spice is often used in Caribbean cuisine. It lends a bright red hue and mild peppery flavor.
Arroz marinero also uses long-grain rice and lots of seafood. This includes shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams (but no chorizo or other meats, as with paella).
It also traditionally contains lots of garlic, onion, bell peppers, peas, and cilantro.
The dish is served with fried plantains, either green or ripe sweet ones. It also may be served with fresh avocado, pickled red onions, lime slices, and hot sauce.
4. Encocado de Pescado
Encocado de pescado, or pescado encocado, is a traditional dish from the coastal province of the Esmeraldas.
It is a fish dish with rich coconut sauce, served alongside white rice, patacones (fried green plantain), or maduro frito (fried ripe plantain).
The fish is traditionally corvina, a white fish similar to sea bass. However, it may also be made with other types of fish and seafood.
The sauce is made with lime juice, orange juice, coconut milk, garlic, cumin, coriander, and other spices.
It is then cooked with bell peppers, onions, and cilantro.
5. Viche de Pescado
Viche de pescado (a.k.a. biche de pescado) is another traditional Ecuadorian seafood dish. It originates from the Manabí province, which is also the home of the Panama hat!
Viche de pescado is made with ground peanuts, whole fish, shrimp, and other seafood. It also contains whole ears of sweet corn, plantains, cassava (yucca), and other vegetables, plus onions, garlic, spices, and cilantro.
6. Fanesca
Another famous Ecuadorian seafood soup you definitely want to try is Fanesca! It’s made with bacalao (cod) and many other symbolic ingredients.
The traditional Easter dish is absolutely delicious and important to Ecuadorian culture as it has religious overtones.
Check out my article Fanesca, Ecuador’s Easter Soup, for more information, plus a recipe!
Final Ecuadorian Seafood Thoughts
In conclusion, Ecuador is a South American country that boasts a rich culinary tradition and its seafood dishes are a testament to that.
From the traditional dishes of Ceviche to the delicious Arroz con mariscos, Ecuador has something incredibly tasty to offer.
Whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing or a hearty and filling meal, you’re sure to find it in Ecuador’s classic seafood dishes.
For more Ecuadorian cuisine, check out my other article, Ecuadorian Food, 17 Must Try Traditional Dishes of Ecuador.
Sources
- Latinroots Travel Co.: Top 10 List of Ecuador Famous Foods: Seafood, Secos, Soups, Street Food…
- Laylita’s Recipes: Seafood Rice – Arroz Marinero
- Quito Tour Bus: Traditional foods of Ecuador – 9 dishes you must try on your trip
- The Spruce Eats: What is Achiote?
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.